HER-2 expression after neoadjuvant chemotherapy of the breast cancers

Objective:The aim of this study was to study changes of HER-2 expression after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the breast cancer cases.Methods:One hundred and thirty-seven female patients with primary breast cancers,who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy,underwent core needle puncture and Mammotome biopsy before chemotherapy,and the biopsy results were used as the basis of histological diagnosis,fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to test HER2 status of tumor tissues before and after chemotherapy.All patients underwent FEC,TE,or AC neoadjuvant chemotherapy of 2-6 cycles before surgery.Results:Twenty-two patients were positive according to FISH test among 137 preoperative patients,8 patients achieved pathological complete remission after chemotherapy (three HER-2 positive patients and five negative patients),91 patients achieved partial remission,24 patients were stable,and 14 cases were invalid.Twenty-two patients were positive according to FISH test (8 patients with pathological complete remission did not undergo test),and positive patients still expressed positively after chemotherapy before neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Three negative patients were converted to be positive,and changes before and after chemotherapy had no statistical difference (P>0.05).Conclusion:Neoadjuvant chemotherapy makes no influence on patients with HER-2 positive expression,while patients with negative expression can be converted to be positive,but without significant difference.

High Expression of INF2 Predicts Poor Prognosis and Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression

Objective INF2 is a member of the formins family.Abnormal expression and regulation of INF2 have been associated with the progression of various tumors,but the expression and role of INF2 in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)remain unclear.HCC is a highly lethal malignant tumor.Given the limitations of traditional treatments,this study explored the expression level,clinical value and potential mechanism of INF2 in HCC in order to seek new therapeutic targets.Methods In this study,we used public databases to analyze the expression of INF2 in pan-cancer and HCC,as well as the impact of INF2 expression levels on HCC prognosis.Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR),Western blot,and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression level of INF2 in liver cancer cells and human HCC tissues.The correlation between INF2 expression and clinical pathological features was analyzed using public databases and clinical data of human HCC samples.Subsequently,the effects of INF2 expression on the biological function and Drp1 phosphorylation of liver cancer cells were elucidated through in vitro and in vivo experiments.Finally,the predictive value and potential mechanism of INF2 in HCC were further analyzed through database and immunohistochemical experiments.Results INF2 is aberrantly high expression in HCC samples and the high expression of INF2 is correlated with overall survival,liver cirrhosis and pathological differentiation of HCC patients.The expression level of INF2 has certain diagnostic value in predicting the prognosis and pathological differentiation of HCC.In vivo and in vitro HCC models,upregulated expression of INF2 triggers the proliferation and migration of the HCC cell,while knockdown of INF2 could counteract this effect.INF2 in liver cancer cells may affect mitochondrial division by inducing Drp1 phosphorylation and mediate immune escape by up-regulating PD-L1 expression,thus promoting tumor progression.Conclusion INF2 is highly expressed in HCC and is associated with poor prognosis.High expression of INF2 may promote HCC progression by inducing Drp1 phosphorylation and up-regulation of PD-L1 expression,and targeting INF2 may be beneficial for HCC patients with high expression of INF2.

血清Her-2-ECD、TPS水平与Her-2阳性乳腺癌曲妥珠单抗敏感性的相关性

目的探讨血清Her-2-ECD、TPS水平与Her-2阳性乳腺癌曲妥珠单抗敏感性的关系。方法选取Her-2阳性乳腺癌患者100例,均接受曲妥珠单抗治疗,根据RECIST1.1标准评价疗效,将CR+PR纳入敏感组,SD+PD纳入耐药组。同时期选取健康人群30名纳入对照组。比较3组血清Her-2-ECD、TPS水平。分析Her-2-ECD、TPS水平与乳腺癌患者临床病理参数和疗效的关系。结果CR+PR共79例,SD+PD共21例。3组血清Her-2-ECD、TPS水平比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),其中耐药组血清Her-2-ECD、TPS水平最高,敏感组次之,对照组最低。不同组织学分级、肿瘤转移部位数量患者血清Her-2-ECD、TPS水平比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);不同年龄、月经状态、ECOG评分患者血清Her-2-ECD、TPS水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。血清Her-2-ECD、TPS水平联合预测靶向治疗疗效灵敏度84.69%、特异度78.49%、AUC 0.841,均较单一检测更高(P<0.05)。耐药组中血清Her-2-ECD>41.55 ng/ml、血清TPS>118.47 U/L的患者占比均高于敏感组(P<0.05)。结论血清Her-2-ECD、TPS水平与Her-2阳性乳腺癌患者对曲妥珠单抗治疗的敏感性具有一定关系,联合检测可以提高对靶向治疗疗效的预测能力。

Role of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1/2 in secondary injury after cerebral hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH)is a common severe emergency in neurosurgery,causing tremendous economic pressure on families and society and devastating effects on patients both physically and psychologically,especially among patients with poor functional outcomes.ICH is often accompanied by decreased consciousness and limb dysfunction.This seriously affects patients’ability to live independently.Although rapid advances in neurosurgery have greatly improved patient survival,there remains insufficient evidence that surgical treatment significantly improves long-term outcomes.With in-depth pathophysiological studies after ICH,increasing evidence has shown that secondary injury after ICH is related to long-term prognosis and that the key to secondary injury is various immune-mediated neuroinflammatory reactions after ICH.In basic and clinical studies of various systemic inflammatory diseases,triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1/2(TREM-1/2),and the TREM receptor family is closely related to the inflammatory response.Various inflammatory diseases can be upregulated and downregulated through receptor intervention.How the TREM receptor functions after ICH,the types of results from intervention,and whether the outcomes can improve secondary brain injury and the long-term prognosis of patients are unknown.An analysis of relevant research results from basic and clinical trials revealed that the inhibition of TREM-1 and the activation of TREM-2 can alleviate the neuroinflammatory immune response,significantly improve the long-term prognosis of neurological function in patients with cerebral hemorrhage,and thus improve the ability of patients to live independently.

Gene expression analysis of cytokines and MMPs in melatonin and rhBMP-2 enhanced bone remodeling

BACKGROUND In the medical and dental fields,there is a need for studies of new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of bone defects that cause extensive bone loss.Melatonin may be an important endogenous biological factor for bone remodeling,and growth factors may enhance the repair process.AIM To evaluate the gene expression of cytokines(IL-1β,IL-6,IL-10 and TNF-α),markers of osteoclastogenesis(RANK,RANKL and OPG)and MMPs(MMP-1,MMP-2,MMP-8 and MMP-13)from the treatment of melatonin associated with an osteogenic membrane and rhBMP-2 on the recovery of a bone injury.METHODS Sixty-four rats were used and divided into 9 experimental groups and were formed according to the treatment carried out in the region of the bone lesion,which varied between the combination of 1,10 and 100μmol/L of melatonin.Gene Expression analysis was performed using real time-PCR by reading the concentration of total RNA and reverse transcription.RESULTS There were differences between groups when compared with clot or scaffold control,and improvement with a higher concentration of melatonin or rhBMP-2.The combination melatonin(1μg)with 5μg of rhBMP-2,using the guided bone regeneration technique,demonstrated some effects,albeit mild,on bone repair of critical bone defects.CONCLUSION This indicates that the approach for administering these substances needs to be reassessed,with the goal of ensuring their direct application to the affected area.Therefore,future research must be carried out,seeking to produce materials with these ideal characteristics.

Expression of COX-2 and HER-2 in colorectal cancer and their correlation

AIM: To detect the expression of COX-2 and HER-2 in colorectal cancer and to analyze their correlation and clinical significance.METHODS: A total of 1026 colorectal cancer surgical specimens were collected from patients treated fromDecember 2002 to December 2007 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. All specimens were made into 4-μm slices. The expression of COX-2 and HER-2 were detected by immunohistochemistry using the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase method. The correlations between COX-2 and HER-2 expression and colorectal cancer clinical features were analyzed.RESULTS: The positive rates of COX-2 and HER-2 expression in colorectal cancer were 77.97%(800/1026) and 46.20%(474/1026), respectively. There was a significant correlation between COX-2 and HER-2 expression in colorectal cancer(P < 0.05). In patients with tumor size ≥ 5 cm, the positive rates of COX-2 and HER-2 expression were 81.48%(308/378) and 57.94%(219/378), respectively. In patients with serosal invasion, the positive COX-2 and HER-2 expression rates were 80.53%(612/760) and 49.21%(374/760), respectively. In patients with lymph node metastasis, the positive expression rates were 85.04%(506/595) and 54.62%(325/595), respectively, and the positive expression rates differed significantly between patients with lymph node metastasis and those without(P < 0.05). In patients with Duke's C and D colorectal cancer, the positive COX-2 and HER-2 expression rates were 82.80%(443/535) and 57.94%(310/535), respectively. In patients with poorly differentiated colorectal cancer, the positive expression rates were 74.49%(210/282) and 52.84%(149/282), respectively(P < 0.05). In patients with distant metastasis, the positive expression rates were 82.27%(116/141) and 53.90%(76/141), respectively(P < 0.05). These findings suggest that COX-2 and HER-2 have synergistic effects in colorectal cancer. COX-2 and HER-2 expression had no significant correlation with sex, age, or tumor location. CONCLUSION: COX-2 and HER-2 are important markers for invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer, and they act together to regulate the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer.

Clinicopathologic significance of HER-2/neu protein expression and gene amplification in gastric carcinoma

AIM:To study the HER-2/neu protein expression and gene amplification in gastric carcinoma and their relation.METHODS:One hundred and forty-five formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tumor tissue samples from Chinese gastric carcinoma patients were studied with immunohistochemistry(IHC)and fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)methods.Clinicopathologic data about all patients were collected.RESULTS:The levels of HER-2 3+,HER-2 2+and HER21+were measurable in 6.9%,8.3%and 17.2%of the samples,respectively.No HER-2 was stained in 67.6% of the samples.FISH showed that HER-2 gene was amplified in 18 samples,10 HER-2 3+samples,5 HER-2 2+samples,and 3 HER-2 1+samples with IHC staining.HER-2 status was not correlated with the sex and age of patients,and tumor size,location or differentiation,but with the depth of invasion,TNM stage,lymph node and distant metastasis as well as histopathological classification of gastric cancer(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:All samples with IHC as HER-2 expression should be analyzed with FISH.Detection of HER-2 gene amplification can assess the malignant biological behaviors and prognosis of gastric cancer.

Investigation of HER-2 codon 655 single nucleotide polymorphism frequency and c-ErbB-2 protein expression alterations in gastric cancer patients

AIM： To investigate both whether the risk of gastric cancer is associated with the Ile/Val single nucleotide polymorphism （SNP） of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 （HER-2） transmembrane domain-coding region at codon 655 and the suggested existence of HER-2 expression in gastric cancer cases in a Turkish patient group. METHODS： Polymerase chain reaction （PCR） followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism （RFLP） strategy was used to analyze the presence of HER-2 SNP at codon 655. c-erbB-2 expression pattern was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The results were compared between gastric carcinoma group and chronic gastritis group, as well as between clinicopathological parameters and carcinoma. RESULTS： Results showed that Ile/Val genotype accounted for 20% within the Turkish gastric carcinoma group, and none in chronic gastritis group, and this genotyping was associated with stage Ⅳ gastric cancers （P = 0.04）. Positive membranous HER-2 immunoreactivity, on the other hand, accounted for 24% within the Turkish gastric carcinoma group and none from chronic gastritis cases; further, it was correlated with intestinal type carcinomas （P = 0.007）, and stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ carcinomas （P = 0.004）. CONCLUSION： These observations imply that the tested HER-2 SNP may participate in the development and progression of gastric cancer. Thus, after confirming these results with large sample groups, HER-2 codon 655 SNP and/or c-erbB-2 overexpression may also be used as a poor prognostic indicator for gastric carcinomas.

Relationship between HER-2 overexpression and brain metastasis in esophageal cancer patients

AIM:To study if HER-2 overexpression by locally advanced esophageal cancers increase the chance of brain metastasis following esophagectomy.METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics between 2000 and 2010.Data analyzed consisted of demographic and clinical variables.The brain metastasis tissue was assayed for HER-2 overexpression utilizing the FDA approved DAKO Hercept Test.RESULTS:One hundred and forty two patients were reviewed.Median age was 64 years(36-86 years).Eighty eight patients(62%) received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.Pathological complete and partial responses were achieved in 17(19%) and 71(81%) patients.Cancer relapsed in 43/142(30%) patients.The brain was the first site of relapse in 9/43 patients(21%,95% CI:10%-36%).HER-2 immunohistochemistry testing of the brain metastasis tissue showed that 5/9(56%) cases overexpressed HER-2(3+ staining).CONCLUSION:HER-2 overexpression might be associated with increased risk of brain metastasis in esophageal cancer patients following esophagectomy.Further studies will be required to validate this observation.

GENISTEIN INHIBITS EXPRESSION OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR IN HER-2/NEU TRANSFECTED HUMAN BREAST CANCER MCF-7 CELLS

Objective： our previous studies have demonstrated that HER-2/neu gene expression in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells promotes angiogenesis in MCF-7 cells xenograft tumors, and genistein inhibits angiogenesis in MCF-7 cells with HER-2/neu expression xenograft tumors. Here, the effects of genistein on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in MCR-7 cells with HER-2/neu expression were further studied for exploring the molecular mechanism of anti-angiogenesis in HER-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer by genistein. Methods： HER-2/neu-overexpressing MCF-7 cells （MCF-7/HER-2） were established by transfecting HEg-2/neu gene into HER-2/neu negative expression breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Immunocytochemical staining, western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） were adopted to measure the expression of VEGF in MCF-7/HER-2 cells treated by genistein for 24, 48 and 72h. Results： HER-2/neu expression up-regulated VEGF mRNA and protein in MCF-7 cells, genistein decreased VEGF mRNA and protein level in MCF-7/HER-2 cells in a time-dependent manner. Conclusion： These results suggest that VEGF plays an important role in HER-2/neu gene expression promoted antiogenesis in breast cancer and genistein induced down-regulation of the expression of VEGF may be one of the molecular mechanisms of its anti-angiogenesis in HER-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer.

THE EFFECT OF RNAI-MEDIATED GENE SILENCING ON HER-2/NEU GENE EXPRESSION IN LUNG ADENOCARCINOMA CELLS

Objective: Her-2/neu protein overexpression has been demonstrated in Non-small cell lung cancer, especially in lung adenocarcinoma. Its overexpression often indicates a poor prognosis. Therapeutic agents against her-2/neu have been intensively sought over the past decades. The objective of this paper is to investigate the effect of chemically synthesized siRNA targeting her-2/neu on her-2/neu dysregulated human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Methods: Calu-3 cells were transfected with siRNAs formulated LipofectAMINE 2000. The her-2/neu mRNA and protein levels were detected by RT-PCR and flow cytometry (FCM). The biological morphology and growth inhibition of calu-3 cells were observed with light microscopy and MTT assay, respectively. The cell cycle and apoptosis rate were analyzed by FCM. Results: siRNA targeting Her-2/neu down-regulated the transcription of her-2/neu oncogene and protein level. Slowed cell proliferation and cell cycle arrest at G0/1 stage could be also observed, accompanied with enhanced cell apoptosis. Conclusion: Specific siRNA targeting her-2/neu can effectively inhibit her-2/neu expression in her-2/neu overexpressing calu-3 cell lines. siRNA-mediated gene silencing may be a useful therapeutic strategy for cancer.

HER-2,P53 and Hormonal Receptors Protein Expression as Predictive Factors in Breast Cancer Prognosis

OBJECTIVE Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with vari-able biological and clinical characteristics.We conducted a studyto evaluate P53,HER-2/neu and hormonal receptor expression aspredictors of prognosis in breast cancer.METHODS In a prospective study,we recruited 81 consecutivepatients with primary operable breast cancer who were treatedwith mastectomy followed by locoregional radiotherapy or che-motherapy and studied the presence of P53,HER-2/neu andhormonal receptors (ER/PR) expression in tumor tissues by im-munohistochemical staining.Associations between these markersexpression and clinical outcomes,including local and regionalrecurrence and metastasis were evaluated.Statistical analysis wasperformed with the SPSS software.RESULTS The mean time of follow-up was (47.3±4.6) months.Expression of P53,HER-2/neu,Estrogen receptors and progester-one receptors were observed in 31.1%,38.5%,31.8% and 51.7% ofthe patients,respectively.P53,HER-2/neu and Negative ER statuswere potent predictors of local-regional recurrence (P=0.034,0.038,0.044,respectively).Also HER-2/neu,Negative ER and NegativePR status were strong predictors of metastasis (P=0.001,0.042,0.054,respectively).CONCLUSION P53 and HER-2/neu expression and also steroidreceptors status (ER/PR status) have an important role in predict-ing the outcome of breast cancer and thus may be of value in se-lecting suitable therapeutic strategy and determining prognosis inthese patients.

HER-2/Neu Status in Gastric Carcinomas in a Series of Egyptian Patients and Its Relation to Ki-67 Expression

Objective: HER-2/neu status in gastric carcinomas (GCs) has not been studied before in the Egyptian population. Materials and Methods: Seventy-three GCs were evaluated for the expression of HER-2/neu and Ki-67 using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) was done for HER2/neu IHC score 2+ cases. Results: Out of the 73 gastric carcinomas, 23 (31.5%) were score 0, 17 (23.3%) were score 1+, 23 (31.5%) were score 2+, and 10 (13.7%) were score 3+. FISH analysis revealed that the HER-2/neu gene was amplified in 11 out of the 23 cases (47.8%) scored 2+ by IHC. Therefore, the overall HER-2/neu positivity rate was 28.8% and it was significantly associated with higher T-stage and lymphovascular invasion (LVI). The Ki-67 expression rate ranged between 10% and 100%, with 84.9% of the cases (n = 62) featuring high Ki-67 scores. High Ki-67 score was significantly associated with male sex, tumor grade, and number of positive nodes. HER-2/neu protein expression correlated significantly with Ki-67 score. Twenty tumors showed combined HER-2/neu positivity and high Ki-67 score and were significantly associated with higher T-stage and occurrence of LVI, implying a more aggressive behavior. Conclusions: The rate of HER-2/neu positive GCs in our series simulates universal rates, thereby mandating routine evaluation of HER-2/neu status in all GCs submitted to our laboratory to benefit from trastuzumab therapy. Further studies on a larger number of GCs are required to prove that the concurrent HER-2/neu positivity and high Ki-67 score are markers of worse prognosis.

The expression of HER-2/neu gene in colon cancer tissues and its clinical significance

Objective：The article aims to detect the expression of HER-2/neu gene in colon cancer tissues and adjacent tissues, to analyze the relationship between dif erent pathologic types and clinical features, also to invest the distribution of patients with positive expression of HER-2 gene. Methods：The expression of HER-2 gene in the 223 samples with colon can-cer was detected by immunochemical approach. The expression of HER-2 gene in colon cancer tissues and adjacent tissues and dif erent pathologic types was analyzed byχ2 test. The correlation between the expression of HER-2 gene and clinical features was analyzed by Spearman. Results：The number of positive expression of HER-2 gene in colon cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were 74 and 0 respectively, the dif erence has statistical significance. The number of papil ary or tubular adenocarcinoma was 182, among them, 60 cases were positive expression. The number of mucinous adenocarcinoma was 41, among them, 14 cases were positive expression. The expression of HER-2/neu gene has no correlation with sex, age, the maximum diameter, general classification, degree of dif erentiation and depth of invasion, which has no statistical significance. However, the expression of HER-2/neu gene has correlation with metastasis of lymph node and Dukes stage, which has statistical significance. The expression of HER-2/neu gene was positive correlation with metastasis of lymph node and Dukes stage. The correlated coef icient index was 0.320 and 0.320 respectively. In the 74 patients with positive expression of HER-2 gene, 59.4%of them were 60-74 years old. And there was 97.3%of the patients without family history of adenocarcinoma. Conclusion：The expression of HER-2/neu gene in colon cancer tissues was higher than in adjacent tissues. The expression of HER-2/neu gene has no correlation with sex, age, the maximum diameter, general classification, degree of dif erentiation and depth of invasion, but has correlation with metastasis of lymph node and Dukes stage. The expression of HER-2/neu gene was positive correlation with metastasis of lymph node and Dukes stage. The expression of HER-2/neu gene with age of 60-74 years old and without family history of adenocarcinoma was higher than other groups.

Association between HER-2 Over-Expression and Prognosis in Human Osteosarcoma:a Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE Various studies examining the relationship be-tween HER-2 over-expression and the response to chemotherapy and clinical outcome in patients with osteosarcoma have yielded inconclusive results.The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the relation of HER-2 status with the response to chemo-therapy and clinical outcome in osteosarcoma.METHODS We conducted a meta-analysis of 6 studies that evaluated the correlation between HER-2 status and histologic response to chemotherapy and 2-year survival.Data were syn-thesized in summary receiver operating characteristic curves and with summary likelihood ratios(LRs) and relative risk.RESULTS The quantitative synthesis showed that HER-2 status is not a prognostic factor for the response to chemotherapy.The positive LR was 1.27(95% conf idence interval,0.91～1.77),and the negative LR was 0.68(95% confidence interval,0.38～1.22).There was no significant between-study heterogeneity.HER2-positive status tended to be associated with a worse 2-year survival,but the overall results were not formally statistically signif icant.CONCLUSION HER-2 status is not associated with the histo-logic response to chemotherapy in patients with osteosarcoma,whereas HER-2 positive patients may be associated with decreased survival.

Evaluation of Tobacco Use and Her-2 Receptor Expression in Breast Cancer in an Ethnically Diverse Inner-City Population

Background: Tobacco is linked to most cancers however despite overwhelming biological plausibility and decades of epidemiological studies, no association has been established between tobacco and breast cancer. Although estrogen receptor status has been looked at as a variable there has been no evaluation of the role of Her-2 and smoking in breast cancer. Methods: Review of records from patients treated at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital from 1998-2012. The incidence of smoking and Her-2 expression in1255 women was evaluated. Data was analyzed by age, race, ethnic group, menopausal status, tumor stage, and ER/PR/Her-2 receptor status. Results: 1255 charts were analyzed with 1094 having full information. Overall rate of Her-2 expression 18.1%. The rate of Her-2 expression was 21.4% in smokers and 17.0% in non-smokers (p = 0.10). The rate of Her-2 expression was 10.8% in Caucasian smokers and 9.8% in Caucasian non-smokers (p = 0.88);24.5% in smokers of African descent and 17.3% in non-smokers of African descent (p = 0.24);22.9% in Latino smokers and 17.4% in Latino non-smokers (p = 0.10). The rate of Her-2/ER expression was 9.4% in smokers and 7.9% in non-smokers (p = 0.42);5.4% in Caucasian smokers and 4.9% in Caucasian non-smokers (p = 0.916);12.2% in smokers of African descent and 5.9% in non-smokers of African descent (p = 0.11);9.5% in Latin smokers and 8.8% in Latin non-smokers (p = 0.77). Conclusions: We found non-statistically significant positive associations in all analyses between Her-2 expression with or without ER expression and tobacco exposure when analyzed by ethnicity.

Concordance of HER-2/Neu over Expression with Steroid Receptor Status in Female Breast Cancers

HER-2/neu over expression is associated with increased tumor aggressiveness, increased rates of recurrence, and increased mortality in node positive patients. It is amplified and/or over expressed in approximately 30% of female breast cancers. This study was to detect the relation between HER-2/neu over expression and steroid hormone receptor status. It was conducted at Cairo and Bani Suif university hospitals between February 2012 to February 2014. HER-2/neu over expression was found to be positive in thirteen patients (41%) out of the thirty two patients included in the study, more positive (52%) HER-2/neu was found among estrogen receptor (ER) positive patients, on the other hand, only 18% positive HER-2/neu was detected among ER negative patients. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.03). The same outcome was with progesterone receptors (PR) and HER-2/neu with statistically significant difference also (P = 0.02). Conclusion: HER-2/neu over expression is strongly related to ER and PR, this was more evident in negative steroid receptors status. The failure of treatment in positive steroid receptors could be explained by HER-2/neu positivity.

Relationship between expression of ER, PR, Her-2, Ki-67 and neoadjuvant chemotherapy effect in breast cancer

Objective: The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between the expression of estrogen receptor(ER), progestogen receptor(PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor(Her-2), Ki-67 and the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer. Methods: The expression of ER, PR, Her-2 and Ki-67 in 45 breast cancers which received neoadjuvant chemotherapy was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: The effective rates in ER negative and PR negative groups were higher than those in ER positive and PR positive groups(83.3% vs 59. 4%, 82.4% vs 60.6%). There was no significant difference of the effective rate between Her-2 overexpressed group and Her-2 non-overexpressed group(81.8% vs 64.1%), and the same thing happened between Ki-67 negative group and Ki-67 positive group(67.7% vs 63.2%). Conclusion: In the patients with breast cancer, ER, PR negative ones were more sensitive to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These patients may get more benefits from chemotherapy. ER, PR could be feasible markers for predicting the effective rate of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.