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

Abstract

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.