Salivary duct carcinoma of the parotid gland: is adjuvant HER-2-targeted therapy required?
OBJECTIVE
Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) of the parotid gland is a highly aggressive and uncommon tumor. Overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) is characteristic of SDC. HER-2 overexpression is considered a poor prognostic marker for SDC, and anti-HER-2 therapy has been suggested as a therapeutic option.


METHODS
Two patients with SDC were analyzed for HER-2 overexpression and gene amplification using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization.


RESULTS
In 1 patient, no expression of HER-2 was found. In the other patient, HER-2 was demonstrated. The patient with HER-2 overexpression had a worse prognosis, and trastuzumab proved to be an effective treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The present results have also suggested that HER-2 overexpression is associated with a poor prognosis. Therefore, HER-2 status should be evaluated at least in the presence of advanced SDC, and targeted therapy should be considered in the adjuvant setting.
Associate Professor, Departments of Pathology, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea.
Jong Sil
JS
Lee
Clinical Fellow, Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea.
Oh Jin
OJ
Kwon
Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea. Electronic address: capetown@hanmail.net.
Jung Je
JJ
Park
Associate Professor, Departments of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea.
Ji Hyun
JH
Seo
D000368:Aged; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044584:Carcinoma, Ductal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000379:methods; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D018987:Salivary Ducts / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D000068878:Trastuzumab
D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab; C508053:ERBB2 protein, human