HER-2/neu targeting for recurrent vulvar Paget's disease A case report and literature review.
BACKGROUND
The treatment of Paget's disease of the vulva particularly for recurrences can be challenging. Overexpression of the HER-2/neu protein has been found in about 30% of vulvar Paget's cases therefore presenting a potential therapeutic target.


METHODS
We report the case of a 52-year-old patient with persistent Paget's disease of the vulva despite eight surgical excisions over a 15-year period. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated overexpression of the HER-2/neu protein in the vulva resection specimen. Treatment with Trastuzumab resulted in a significant regression of her disease and resolution of symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on our case report, therapeutic targeting of HER-2/neu for patients with Paget's disease of the vulva using for example Trastuzumab is a potentially effective, alternative approach, and warrants further investigation.
Karam
Amer
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Berek
Jonathan S
JS
Stenson
Amy
A
Rao
Jianyu
J
Dorigo
Oliver
O
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology*; D010145:Paget Disease, Extramammary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology*; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab; C508053:ERBB2 protein, human