HER2 Overexpression in Relation to Breast Cancer Histopathological Grading: A Promising Prognostic and Predictive Biomarker for Breast Cancer

Abstract

Introduction: Many research showed the importance of HER2 as the new biomarker for breast cancer while its overexpression was greatly associated with increased histopathological grading of breast cancer.

Methods: About 90 biopsy were taken from patients with breast cancer from 1 June 2011-1 June  2014. The biopsy samples were then sent to Pathology for HER2 immunohistochemistry. There are three grades of scoring 0 to +3. Score 0/+ 1 as considered negative and score of +3 as considered an HER2 overexpression. Histopathological grading was determined using Nottingham scoring. Statistical analyzes were done with SPSS 16. Categorical Data were analyzed by chi square with a significance limit of 0:05.

Results: Majority of samples had HER2 +1 (55.6%) and histopathological grading mostly found in grade 1 (44,4,2%).  Prevalence ratio of HER2/Neu and histopathological grading of breast cancer was 7.667.

Discussion: HER-2 positive are often associated with poor differentiation, metastasis to the lymph nodes, recurrence, and a high mortality rate. In this study, it was shown that ovcerexpression of HER2 increase 8 times risk of having high histopathological grade. These study results have contributed the means of overexpression HER2/neu to being a factor predictive and prognostic factors as well as a breast cancer therapy.

Conclusion: Overexpression of HER2/Neu showed 8 times more likely to have a higher grading breast cancer.