Prognostic impact of HER-2/neu expression on squamous head and neck carcinomas.
BACKGROUND
HER-2/neu gene amplification and protein overexpression have been identified in various solid tumors, but its prognostic relevance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is still controversial.


METHODS
The study investigated the expression of HER-2/neu oncoprotein in HNSCC and sought possible correlations to various clinicopathologic parameters. Expression of HER-2/neu oncoprotein was assessed in archival tumor tissues from 87 untreated HNSCC patients by immunohistochemical technique. Data were correlated with both the clinicopathologic parameters and patient survival.


RESULTS
A high membranous HER-2/neu protein expression level was found in 39% of patients. Multivariate analysis indicated that HER-2/neu protein expression and pN lymph-node status were independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival.


CONCLUSIONS
HER2/neu overexpression and its relationship with survival suggest that new therapeutic approaches targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family receptors could provide a new way of treating HNSCC patients with HER2/neu-positive neoplastic lesions.
Cavalot
Andrea
A
Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Martone
Tiziana
T
Roggero
Nicolò
N
Brondino
Gabriele
G
Pagano
Marco
M
Cortesina
Giorgio
G
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; C508053:ERBB2 protein, human