Comparison of tumors with HER2 overexpression versus HER2 amplification in HER2-positive breast cancer patients.
BMC Cancer
; 22(1): 242, 2022 Mar 05.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35248011
BACKGROUND: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive tumors are defined by protein overexpression (3+) or gene amplification using immunohistochemistry (IHC) or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), respectively. HER2-positive tumors have historically included both IHC(3+) and IHC(2+, equivocal)/FISH(+) tumors and received the same treatment. Differences in biology between these two tumor types, however, are poorly understood. Considering anti-HER2 drugs bind directly to HER2 protein on the cell surface, we hypothesized anti-HER2 therapies would be less effective in IHC(2+)/FISH(+) tumors than in IHC(3+) tumors, leading to differences in patient outcomes. METHODS: A total of 447 patients with HER2-positive invasive carcinoma who underwent curative surgery were retrospectively investigated. HER2 status was assessed in surgical specimens, except in patients who received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, where biopsy specimens were employed. RESULTS: Age, tumor size, lymph node status and ER status were independent factors relating to disease-free-survival, but no difference was observed between IHC(3+) and IHC(2+)/FISH(+) tumors. Kaplan-Meier analysis found patient outcomes did not differ, even after stratifying into those that did (n = 314), or did not (n = 129), receive chemotherapy with anti-HER2 drugs. In 134 patients who received NAC, pathological complete response rates in IHC(3+) and IHC(2+)/FISH(+) tumors were 45% and 21%, respectively. Survival after developing metastasis was significantly shorter in the IHC(2+)/FISH(+) group. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of patients with IHC(2+)/FISH(+) tumors did not differ from IHC(3+) tumors. However, the significance of HER2 protein overexpression in relation to treatment response remains unclear and warrants further investigations.
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Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Neoplasias da Mama
/
Carcinoma
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Expressão Gênica
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Amplificação de Genes
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Receptor ErbB-2
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
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Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Female
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Humans
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMC Cancer
Assunto da revista:
NEOPLASIAS
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Japão
País de publicação:
Reino Unido