HER2/NEU PROTEIN EXPRESSION IN COLORECTAL CANCER.

Corresponding Author:
Nimmy Andrews,
Vadakkekollamparambil House,
Thalayolaparambu, P. O.,
Kottayam-686605, Kerala, India.
E-mail: nimmyandrews121@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Conflicting data exists about the prevalence of HER2/neu over expression in colorectal cancer ranging from 7% to 83%.¹ Here we are trying to clarify the extent of expression of HER2/neu in Colorectal cancer in our population. In contrast to breast cancer, in colorectal cancer, cytoplasmic HER2 could be associated with good prognosis. HER2 targeted drugs can restrain invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer in which HER2 is overexpressed.

Aims and Objectives- To study the rate and pattern of HER2/neu status in surgically resected tissue in colorectal carcinoma. To describe the expression of HER2/neu in relation to age, sex, TNM stage, grade and primary location of colorectal carcinoma.

Setting- Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Kottayam.

Design- Descriptive study, Cross sectional study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Descriptive study was conducted in 50 resected specimens of colorectal cancer received in department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Kottayam, during study period of 18 months (April 2017 to September 2018).

Analysis-SPSS software.

RESULTS

Mean age of the present study was 61.8. Majority of patients belong to 60-69 years age group (46%). Rectosigmoid region was most prone for CRC in this study constituting 21 cases (42%). 74 % cases were well differentiated type, but no cases of poorly differentiated type were seen in this study. HER2 was positive in 84% cases which was comparable with the study done by Asma Shabbir et al. 36% showed weak positivity, 40% showed moderate positivity and 8% showed strong positivity. 50% cases showed Score 3+. HER2 positivity showed significant association with location of malignancy- highest in rectosigmoid region (42%) and lowest in transverse colon (8%). Other clinicopathologic variables showed no significant association with HER2 positivity, intensity, pattern and scoring.

CONCLUSION

The present study was done to describe the rate and pattern of positivity of HER2 in colorectal carcinoma specimens and to describe the relation with various clinicopathologic variables. HER2 was positive in 84% cases in this study. Association between HER2 positivity and location of malignancy is found to be significant with a p value of 0.01. Highest was found in Rectosigmoid region and lowest was found in transverse colon, 42% and 8% respectively.

KEY WORDS

Colorectal Cancer, HER2, Resected Specimen.