| Popis: |
Aims: Gastric cancer is the second most common malignancy worldwide. Studies have shown an association between gene expression and a more advanced clinical stage. The amplification of the C-erbB-2 gene and its protein (HER2/neu) has been implicated as a poor prognostic factor. Inmunohistochemical studies have shown a frequency of HER2/neu overexpression in gastric cancer ranging from 8% to 91%, but there is no consensus regarding its clinical significance. Our aim was to determine the frequency of HER2/neu overexpression and its clinical significance in patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. Methods: Prospective, observational study of a series of 45 consecutive cases evaluated at the Endoscopy Department of a tertiary referral center between March and June 2009; clinical characteristics were recorded and endoscopic biopsies were inmunohistochemically stained for HER-2/neu. Protein overexpression was measured according to the standardized scale. Results: Forty-five patients were recruited. Five patients without confirmation of malignancy were excluded. Forty patients (23 male and 17 female, mean age of 52.77±13.7 years) were included. 35% overexpressed HER2/neu. There was a positive correlation between HER2/neu overexpression and gender (p=0.0396), age (≥60 years, p=0.0146) and lymph node metastasis (p=0.035). Diffuse type adenocarcinoma was more frequent in younger patients and showed a lesser degree of differentiation. Conclusion: An association between HER2/neu overexpression and gender, age and lymph node metastasis was found, however our sample size is small. It is necessary to conduct further studies to draw definitive conclusions regarding HER2/neu overexpression as an independent prognostic factor. Immunogastroenterology 2012; 1:136-142 |
