Evaluation of the Prevalence of HER-2 Expression and Its Relationship with Prognostic Parameters in Colorectal Carcinoma

Abstract

Introduction:Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the most important causes of cancer-related deaths, and its incidence has been increasing in recent years. Considering the high mortality rates, new therapeutic targets are needed to improve survival in advanced disease. HER-2 is a member of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor family. Overexpression of HER-2 is related to malignant transformation, apoptosis and increased proliferation. In this study, the frequency of HER-2 expression in CRC and its relationship with prognostic parameters were examined.Methods:A total of 123 colorectal resection cases diagnosed as CRC in 2015-2016 in the Pathology Department of Haseki Research and Training Hospital were included in the study. Clinicopathological prognostic parameters were evaluated. Immunohistochemical staining of HER-2 was performed on slides obtained from selected paraffin blocks. The results of staining were scored as 0, 1+, 2+ or 3+. For statistical analysis, HER-2 scores of 0 and 1+ were considered as negative, (2+) scores as equivocal and (3+) scores as positive.Results:3+, 2+ and 1+ immunoreactivity (strong, medium and weak intensity of membrane staining, respectively) was detected in 13%, 21% and 16% of cases, respectively. When we compared the results of HER-2 status with the clinicopathological parameters, we found a correlation between HER-2 and distant metastasis. The distant metastasis rate was higher in HER-2-positive patients than in equivocal and negative patients. There was no significant relationship between HER-2 expression and other clinicopathological parameters we evaluated.Conclusion:Considering these HER-2 expression levels which not scarce, therapies targeting the HER-2 receptor can be a promising part of treatment regimes, although they are not the main treatment option in CRC.

Keywords

• colorectal carcinoma
• her-2
• c-erbb-2
• prognostic parameters