Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 neu expression in head and neck squamous cell cancers and its clinicopathological correlation: Results from an Indian cancer center

• Published in: Indian journal of pathology & microbiology 2018-07, Vol.61 (3), p.313-318
• Main Authors: Vats, Sumedha, Ganesh, M, Agarwal, Arjun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers, Tumor; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - genetics; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Cancer Care Facilities - statistics & numerical data; Cancer therapies; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - classification; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - diagnosis; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - epidemiology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - genetics; Drinking water; Epidermal growth factor; ErbB-2 protein; Female; Gene expression; Genetic aspects; Growth factors; Head & neck cancer; Head and neck; Head and neck cancer; Head and Neck Neoplasms - classification; Head and Neck Neoplasms - epidemiology; Head and Neck Neoplasms - genetics; HER2 receptor; human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/neu; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Immunohistochemistry - methods; India - epidemiology; Larynx - pathology; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Medical prognosis; Middle Aged; Mouth - pathology; Oral cavity; Ovarian cancer; Prognosis; Radiation therapy; Receptor, ErbB-2 - genetics; Receptor, ErbB-2 - immunology; squamous cell cancer; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Stains & staining; Statistical analysis; Studies; targeted therapy; Tumors; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0377-4929; 0974-5130
• DOI: 10.4103/0377-4929.236599

Background: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/neuprotooncogene (neu) is a proven molecular prognostic marker in breast, ovarian, gastric, and ovarian cancers. In head-and-neck cancers, varied expression is documented and therefore its prognostic role is debatable. Aim of the Study: To find the rate of overexpression of HER2/neu in head-and-neck cancers and to understand its prognostic role by evaluating its association with nodal stage and overall stage of the patient. Methodology: A total of 70 surgically resected cases of head-and-neck cancers were evaluated for expression of HER2/neu by immunohistochemistry. Scoring was done according to the American Society of Clinical Oncologists/College of American Pathologistsguidelines for Her2/neu testing in breast cancer. Results: Of the 70 cases studied, 57 were of oral cavity and 13 were laryngeal squamous cell cancers and 14 (20%) were Her2/neu positive. On correlating the expression of HER2/neu in T1/T2 (41 cases) versus T3/T4 (27 cases), the P value was found to be 0.8273 which was statistically insignificant. Furthermore, no statistically significant difference in expression of HER2/neu was found in between node negative and node positive cases (49 vs. 19 cases, respectively), with P = 0.512. Conclusion: In the current settings, HER2/neu is not found to be a prognostic marker in head-and-neck cancers. Standard immunohistochemistry staining protocols need to be established like in breast cancers to aid uniform reporting and further evaluate the role of this important protooncogene in head-and-neck cancers.