Overexpression of HER-2/neu in endometrial cancer is associated with advanced stage disease.
Prior studies have shown that overexpression of HER-2/neu occurs in one third of breast and ovarian cancers and that overexpression is associated with poor prognosis. We used a monoclonal antibody to assess immunohistochemically the level of HER-2/neu expression in normal and malignant endometrium. In 24 normal endometrial samples light to moderate (1+ to 2+) staining for HER-2/neu was seen in the glands, and there was no variation in intensity of staining during the menstrual cycle. Among 95 endometrial adenocarcinomas, nine (9%) were found to have heavier staining for HER-2/neu than was seen in normal endometrium (3+). High expression of HER-2/neu was found in 27% of patients with metastatic disease compared with 4% of patients with disease confined to the uterus (p less than 0.005). High HER-2/neu expression also was associated with absence of estrogen receptor (p less than 0.005) and with increased mortality from cancer. Further studies are needed to determine the significance of HER-2/neu overexpression in endometrial cancer.
Berchuck
A
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Division of Gynecologic Oncology), Duke University, Durham, NC 27710.
Rodriguez
G
G
Kinney
R B
RB
Soper
J T
JT
Dodge
R K
RK
Clarke-Pearson
D L
DL
Bast
R C
RC
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D012016:Reference Values; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism
D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases