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HER2 expression in gastric cancer in Indian population—An immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization study

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Indian Journal of Gastroenterology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aim

Human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2, also known neu, ERBB2) protein expression in gastric cancer is associated with poor prognosis, aggressive disease and poor response to chemotherapy. Trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody against HER2, in combination with chemotherapy is currently advocated as a new standard option for patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction carcinoma. Frequency of HER2 expression in gastric cancer has been reported from different geographic zones with a wide range of 13 % to 91 %. There are no reported data of HER2 protein expression in gastric cancer tissue from India. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of HER2 expression in gastric cancer.

Methods

The frequency of HER2 expression in 52 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma was prospectively evaluated over a six month period at Asian Institute of Gastroenterology from January 2010 to July 2010, using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

Results

HER2 overexpression was confirmed in 23 of 52 (44.2 %) patients. Two patients had equivocal result by IHC (2+), one of whom was positive on analysis by FISH. There was no difference in HER2 overexpression (positivity) or negativity in relation to age, gender, tumor site, histological subtype, tumor differentiation, serosal involvement or lymph nodal status. HER2 overexpression rates were similar for intestinal type as compared to diffuse histological type (OR 1.84), as also for proximal as compared to distal gastric cancers (OR 0.81).

Conclusion

HER2 overexpression was observed in significant number of advanced gastric adenocarcinoma patients. There was no difference in HER2 overexpression in relation to clinicopathological parameters.

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Acknowledgment

The study was funded by an intramural grant from Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad, India. There is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, 6-3-661, Somajiguda, Hyderabad, 500 082, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Anuradha Sekaran, Raja Sekhar Kandagaddala, Santosh Darisetty, Sandeep Lakhtakia, Santa Ayyagari, Guduru Venkat Rao, Pradeep Rebala, Duvvuru Bhaskara Reddy & Duvvuru Nageshwar Reddy

Authors
  1. Anuradha Sekaran
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  2. Raja Sekhar Kandagaddala
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  3. Santosh Darisetty
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  4. Sandeep Lakhtakia
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  5. Santa Ayyagari
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  6. Guduru Venkat Rao
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  7. Pradeep Rebala
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  8. Duvvuru Bhaskara Reddy
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  9. Duvvuru Nageshwar Reddy
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Correspondence to Anuradha Sekaran.

Additional information

See editorial at doi:10.1007/s12664-012-0217-x

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Sekaran, A., Kandagaddala, R.S., Darisetty, S. et al. HER2 expression in gastric cancer in Indian population—An immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization study. Indian J Gastroenterol 31, 106–110 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-012-0214-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-012-0214-0

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