Significance of HER-2/neu oncoprotein overexpression in invassive ductal breast cancer

ABSTRACT

To asses the frequency of HER-2/neu Oncoprotein over expression in invasive ductal breast cancer and correlate it with various prognostic parameters. Comparitive cross-sectional study was carriedout at department of pathology Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Seventy two [72] formalin fixed paraffin embedded blocks of diagnosed invasive ductal carcinoma were retrieved and 5 m.m thick sections were cut and stained with H and E for the review of diagnosis and grading. The immunohistochemical staining was done on 4m.m thick sections by using Polyclonal rabbit anti HER-2 ZYMED USA, and ZYMED 2nd generation LAB-SA immunodetection system, to see the HER-/neu over expression. Section containing > 50% of tumor cells exhibiting intense circumferential cell membrane staining scored as positive. Thirty one [31%] positive over expression was observed. A statistically significant result [P<.05] was found between HER-2/neu over-expression and lymph node status and size of tumor. Oncoprotein HER-2/neu over expression is directly related to the lymph node status and size of the tumor. These patients may benefit from a more aggressive therapy like Herceptin and can also be used as a prognostic marker in the follow up of these patients