Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/neu and the clinico-pathological profile in breast cancer: an observational study at a tertiary care hospital in Central India

Authors

  • Shikha Shukla Department of Surgery, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
  • Fahad Ansari Department of Surgery, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20214760

Keywords:

Indian women, Ca breast, HER2/neu, Imunohistochemical markers

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women and the second most common cancer overall. Owing to a unique pattern of presentation in terms of clinical and biological features, finding their mutual association may be important and may help predict prognosis. HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2)/neu is one such important immunohistochemical factor that is considered to be more prevalent amongst Indians and therefore makes up for an emerging area for studies. The study aimed to assess the patients of breast carcinoma in terms of their HER2/neu statuses and find out their association with clinical parameters.

Methods: This was a prospective comparative study conducted in department of surgery, Hamidia hospital, Bhopal, India, with a total duration of 1 year between November 2018 to September 2019 including a total of 98 consecutive in house breast carcinoma patients.

Results: A total of 98 breast cancer patients were tested for HER-2/neu gene presence. Of these 25 (25.5%) samples tested positive and 73 (7.48%) tested negative. A comparison of the two groups revealed that none of the clinic-pathological factors tested were found to have a statistically significant association with the HER2/neu status.

Conclusions: It appeared that there is no defining factor in terms of clinic-pathological presentation that helps to separate significantly HER-2/neu positive with HER-2/neu negative cases with breast cancer. Still, immune-histochemical marker analysis should be an integral part of the overall work up of the breast cancer patients because of its both prognostic and therapeutic application and significance.

References

Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, Laversanne M, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A, Bray F. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71(3):209-49.

Alired DC, Clark GM, Tandon AK, Molina R, Tormey DC, Osborne CK, et al. HER-2/neu in node negative patients. Prognostic significance of overexpression influenced by the presence of in situ carcinoma. J Clin Oncol. 1992;10(4):599-605.

Taucher S, Rudas M, Mader RM, Gnant M, Dubsky P, Bachleitner T, et al. Do we need HER2/neu testing for all patients with primary breast carcinoma? Cancer. 2003;98(12):2547-53.

Huang HJ, Neven P, Drijkoningen M, Paridaens R, Wildiers H, Limbergen EV, et al. Association between tumour characteristics and HER-2/neu by immunohistochemistry in 1362 women with primary operable breast cancer. J Clin Pathol. 2005;58(6):611-6.

Lal P, Tan LK, Chen B. Correlation of HER-2 status with estrogen and progesterone receptors and histologic features in 3,655 invasive breast carcinomas. Am J Clin Pathol. 2005;123(4):541-6.

Muss HB, Thor AD, Berry DA, Kute T, Liu ET, Koerner F, et al. C-erb B-2 expression and benefit from adjunctive chemotherapy and radiotherapy of Breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 1994;330(18):1260-6.

Kamil M, Yusuf N, Khalid I, Islam R, Biswas M, Hashim H. Association between HER-2/neu over-expression and clinico-pathologic parameters of breast cancer in northern Malaysia. Ceylon Med J. 2010;55(1):9-13.

Siddiqui T, Khan S, Kayani N, Salam A, Kiran S, Jilani SM. The clinical pattern of HER-2/neu oncogene overexpressing breast cancer in Pakistani patients at initial presentation: an analysis of HER-2/neu positive versus negative disease--a preliminary report. J Pak Med Assoc. 1999;49(12):294-7.

Munjal K, Ambaye A, Evans MF, Mitchell J, Nandedkar S, Cooper K. Immunohistochemical analysis of ER, PR, Her2 and CK5/6 in Infiltrative Breast Carcinomas in Indian Patients. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2009;10(5):773-8.

Azizun-Nisa BY, Raza F, Kayani N. Comparison of ER, PR and HER-2/neu (C-erb B 2) reactivity pattern with histologic grade, tumor size and lymph node status in breast cancer. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2008;9(4):553-6.

Naqvi SQH, Jamal Q, Mahmood RK, Zaidi SMH, Abbas F. Significance of HER-2/ neu oncoprotien overexpression on node positive invasive breast cancer. J Coll Physicians Surg. 2002;12(9):534-7.

Downloads

Published

2021-11-26

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles