Prognostic value of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2)/neu in patients with advanced ovarian cancer treated with platinum/paclitaxel as first-line chemotherapy: a retrospective evaluation of the AGO-OVAR 3 Trial by the AGO OVAR Germany.
OBJECTIVE
Results on the prognostic value of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)/neu in ovarian cancer are inconsistent. This exploratory analysis evaluates Her-2/neu as a prognostic factor in a large cohort of patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer treated with platinum/paclitaxel as first-line chemotherapy within a prospective randomized trial.


METHODS
Her-2/neu expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 359 patients (46%) treated within the AGO-OVAR 3 trial (n = 783). Patients received either cisplatin/paclitaxel or carboplatin/paclitaxel according to the study protocol. Immunohistochemistry results were scored according to the Dako score.


RESULTS
Her-2/neu Dako scores of 0 or 1+ was found in 337 patients (94%) and a score of 2+ or 3+ in 22 patients (6%). Her-2/neu overexpression (2+/3+) was associated with a higher International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage and larger postoperative residual disease. There were no significant differences in response to chemotherapy between the Her-2/neu score subgroups and in progression-free survival time. In a multivariate analysis, the Her-2/neu score had no significant impact on overall survival time.


CONCLUSIONS
In the present study, Her-2/neu overexpression in patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer was rare and provided no evidence for a prognostic value of Her-2/neu in patients with advanced ovarian cancer treated with platinum/paclitaxel.
Pfisterer
Jacobus
J
Klinik für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
Du Bois
Andreas
A
Bentz
Eva-Katrin
EK
Kommoss
Friedrich
F
Harter
Philipp
P
Huober
Jens
J
Schmalfeldt
Barbara
B
Burchardi
Nicole
N
Arnold
Norbert
N
Hilpert
Felix
F
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D018734:Genes, erbB-2; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin