HER-2/neu overexpression in breast cancer: an immunohistochemical study including correlations with clinicopathologic parameters, p53 oncoprotein and cathepsin-D.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship between HER-2/neu overexpression and standard as well as investigational prognostic factors in Greek females with invasive breast carcinoma.


METHODS
Paraffin-embedded tumor sections from 128 consecutive primary breast cancer patients were screened for HER-2/neu oncoprotein (p185) overexpression by immunohistochemistry using the polyclonal antibody A 0485. The relationship between HER-2/neu staining and other established markers of prognosis were examined using both a univariate and a multivariate analysis.


RESULTS
HER-2/neu overexpression was detected in 46.1% of tumors. No statistical correlation was found between HER-2/neu and age, tumor diameter, histologic type, nodal status, tumor grade, stage, estrogen and progesterone receptor status or cathepsin-D. A significant correlation was noted between HER-2/neu and p53 overexpression in the total sample (p=0.014) as well as in node-positive patients (p=0.026). In those groups, HER-2/neu and p53 co-expression was found in 19.5% and 21.6% of cases, respectively. In node-negative patients, HER-2/neu overexpression did not correlate with any other marker.


CONCLUSIONS
HER-2/neu overexpression seemed to correlate only with p53 oncoprotein.
Korkolis
D
D
Second Department of Surgery, Hellenic Anticancer Institute, St. Savvas Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Ardavanis
A
A
Yotis
J
J
Kyroudi
A
A
Gorgoulis
V
V
Kittas
C
C
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002402:Cathepsin D; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53