[Expression of HER-2/neu oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma and the clinical implications].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2/neu) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and its clinical significance.


METHODS
The expressions of HER-2/neu were detected by SP immunohistochemistry method in 30 patients with HCC, 10 with portal cirrhosis of the liver and 10 with normal liver.


RESULTS
The positivity rate of HER-2/neu was markedly higher in HCC patients than in those with portal cirrhosis and normal liver (Chi(2)=6.482, P=0.032). The expression of HER-2/neu was closely correlated to portal cirrhosis of the liver (P=0.041), tumor invasion (P=0.028) and Edmondson grades (P=0.012). The average survival time was significant shorter in patients with HER-2/neu-positive tumor than in those with HER-2/neu-negative tumor (P=0.036).


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of HER-2/neu may play a role in the invasion, metastasis and progression of HCC. The patients positive for HER-2/neu in the HCC tissues have generally poor prognosis.
Zhang
Jun-kai
JK
Department of Oncology, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan 528403, China. jacob_zsrmyy@126.com
Pan
Pei-ling
PL
Wu
Ying-meng
YM
Xiao
Jian-jun
JJ
Peng
Jie-wen
JW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases