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Prognostic impact of HER‐2/neu expression on squamous head and neck carcinomas
Author(s) -
Cavalot Andrea,
Martone Tiziana,
Roggero Nicolò,
Brondino Gabriele,
Pagano Marco,
Cortesina Giorgio
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.20574
Subject(s) - head and neck , oncology , medicine , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , head and neck cancer , radiation therapy , surgery
Background. HER‐2/ neu gene amplification and protein overexpression have been identified in various solid tumors, but its prognostic relevance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is still controversial. Methods. The study investigated the expression of HER‐2/neu oncoprotein in HNSCC and sought possible correlations to various clinicopathologic parameters. Expression of HER‐2/ neu oncoprotein was assessed in archival tumor tissues from 87 untreated HNSCC patients by immunohistochemical technique. Data were correlated with both the clinicopathologic parameters and patient survival. Results. A high membranous HER‐2/ neu protein expression level was found in 39% of patients. Multivariate analysis indicated that HER‐2/ neu protein expression and pN lymph‐node status were independent prognostic factors for disease‐free survival. Conclusions. HER2/ neu overexpression and its relationship with survival suggest that new therapeutic approaches targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family receptors could provide a new way of treating HNSCC patients with HER2/ neu ‐positive neoplastic lesions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2007