Prognostic significance of HER3 and HER4 protein expression in colorectal adenocarcinomas

• Main Authors: Patsouris Efstratios, Rontogianni Dimitra, Xiros Nikolaos, Psyrri Amanda, Pavlakis Kitty, Kountourakis Panteleimon, Pectasides Dimitrios, Economopoulos Theofanis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2006-02-01
• Series: BMC Cancer
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/6/46

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Colorectal cancer remains a major cause of cancer mortality in the Western world. A limited number of studies has been conducted in respect of Her-3 and Her-4 expression and their correlation with clinical parameters and prognosis in colorectal carcinomas . In this study we sought to determine the pattern and the prognostic significance of HER-3 and HER-4 in colorectal adenocarcinoma.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We studied HER-3 and HER-4 protein expression in106 paraffin embedded specimens of primary colorectal tumors using immunohistochemistry. The pattern and protein expression levels of HER-3 and HER-4 were correlated with several clinical and pathological parameters.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>HER-3 staining displayed membranous and cytoplasmic expression pattern in 18 (17%) and 30 samples (28,3%), respectively. HER-4 membranous and cytoplasmic expression was found in 20 (18,9%) and 32 samples (30,2%), respectively. Specimens regarded as positive for HER-3 cytoplasmic expression were associated with moderate tumor grade (p = 0,032) and older median age (p = 0,010). Specimens regarded as positive for HER-4 membranous protein expression were associated with involved lymphnodes (p = 0,0003). Similar results were obtained when considering Her-3 and Her-4 protein expression irrespective of their cellular localization. There was no correlation between the expression of HER-3 and HER-4 and patients outcome.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>HER-4 membranous protein expression was found to predict for lymph nodes positivity in this cohort of patients with colorectal cancer.HER-4 expression status may identify tumors with aggressive biological behavior and increased metastatic potential.</p>