HER-2/neu overexpression in breast cancer: An immunohistochemical study including correlations with clinicopathologic parameters, p53 oncoprotein andcathepsin-D
D. Korkolis et al., HER-2/neu overexpression in breast cancer: An immunohistochemical study including correlations with clinicopathologic parameters, p53 oncoprotein andcathepsin-D, ANTICANC R, 21(3C), 2001, pp. 2207-2212
Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between HER-2/neu overexpression and
standard as well as investigational prognostic factors in Greek females wit
h invasive breast carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Paraffin - embedded tum
or sections from 128 consecutive primary breast cancer patients were screen
ed for HER-2/neu oncoprotein (p185) overexpression by immunohistochemistry
using the polyclonal antibody A 0485. The relationship between HER-2/neu st
aining and other established markers of prognosis were examined using both
a univariate and a multivariate analysis. Results: HER-2/neu overexpression
was detected in 46.1% of tumors. No statistical correlation was found betw
een HER-2/neu and age, tumor diameter, histologic type, nodal status, tumor
grade, stage, estrogen and progesterone receptor status or cathepsin-D. A
significant correlation was noted between HER-2/neu and p53 overexpression
in the total sample (p=0.014) as well as in node-positive patients (p=0.026
). In those groups, HER-2/neu and p53 co-expression was found in 19.5% and
21.6% of cases, respectively. In node-negative patients, HER-2/neu overexpr
ession did not correlate with any other marker. Conclusion: HER-2/neu overe
xpression seemed to correlate only with p53 oncoprotein.