HER2 expression predicts improved survival in patients with cervical node-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prognostic value of HER2 and p63 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).


METHODS
A case review of 186 HNSCCs from the oral tongue, palate, maxillary sinus, floor of mouth, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx.


METHODS
All primary tumor specimens were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for HER2 and p63 expressions, which were correlated with clinical parameters including age, sex, grade, lymph node metastases, stage, and survival.


RESULTS
One hundred forty-one patients had stage III-IV disease and 109 had lymph node metastases. For all cases, T and N stages were significant prognostic predictors for both overall and disease-free survivals. In the node-positive subgroup, T stage and HER2 expression were significant prognostic predictors for both overall and disease-free survivals.


CONCLUSIONS
HER2 may be associated with longer survival in node-positive patients with HNSCC.
Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. garytse@cuhk.edu.hk
Gary M
GM
Tse
Kwok Hung
KH
Yu
Anthony W H
AW
Chan
Ann D
AD
King
George G
GG
Chen
Ka-Tak
KT
Wong
Raymond K Y
RK
Tsang
Amy B W
AB
Chan
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000032:analysis; D014157:Transcription Factors; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000032:analysis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; C115051:TP63 protein, human