HER-2 ultra-low breast cancer: exploring the clinicopathological features and prognosis in a retrospective study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the clinicopathological features of patients with ultra-low expression of human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER-2) in breast cancer and its impact on prognosisMethodsData from 1024 patients with primary breast cancer having HER-2 ultra-low expression from January 01, 2018, to December 31, 2018, were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The clinicopathological features and prognosis were compared using a chi-squared test or Fisher exact probability method. COX regression analysis and log-rank test were used to explore the factors related to the postoperative 5-year survival rate. All analytical data were defined as statistically significant (P < 0.05).ResultsOverall survival (OS) was higher in the HER-2 ultra-low group compared to the low expression group (P = 0.022). The tumor diameter, lymph node metastasis (LNM), and Ki67 expression were factors affecting DFS in the HER-2 ultra-low expression group (P < 0.05). The tumor diameter and LNM were risk factors affecting the OS (P < 0.05) in the HER-2 ultra-low expression group. LNM and Ki67 expression were risk factors affecting DFS (P < 0.05) in the HER-2 low expression group. LNM was considered an independent risk factor affecting OS (P < 0.05).ConclusionBreast cancer with HER-2 ultra-low expression has differences in the clinicopathological features. Breast cancer with HER-2 low expression is more aggressive and has a worse prognosis. This study provides a reference to consider in the treatment of HER-2-low and -ultra-low expression breast cancer.

Traditional Clinicopathological Biomarkers Still Determine Disease-Free and Overall Survival in Invasive Breast Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study

“…Our findings corroborate the research performed by Mahmood et al, which noted the strong impact of tumor diameter on survival and reported that more patients with tumor diameter ≤ 2 cm presented an overall survival of more than ten years [20]. Furthermore, Shi et al noted that lymph node metastasis, tumor diameter, and Ki67 expression were risk factors affecting the 5 year DFS rates in patients with ultra-low HER2 expression [21]. The above-mentioned studies emphasize the importance of commonly used clinicopathological biomarkers as still valid and relevant prognostic factors.…”

Analyzing the clinical-pathological characteristics of HER-2 Ultra-low breast cancer in a medium-sized Brazilian city: A brief communication

“…The progesterone receptor was also positive in most cases (162, 67,4%). 4 Chen et al Considering the previously described studies, there was a mild variation about age. In all populations, most of the tumors were positive to ER an PR.…”

“…In the included population, age, histologic subtype and immunohistochemical data for the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and KI-67 (<20% x ≥20%) were assessed. 4,7,8 The data was evaluated by two pathologists, following the recommendations for immunohistochemical tests of following the recommendations for immunohistochemical tests of estrogen and progesterone receptors in breast cancer. 9 Paraffin samples were subjected to immunohistochemistry for Estrogen Regarding immunohistochemical receptors, the estrogen receptor was positive in most of the sample (182, 73,1%).…”

“…Finally, HER-2 ultra-low expression was defined as invasive cells showing at least ≤10% membrane protein staining or incomplete weak membrane staining. [4][5][6] Tuhulong et al 7 , Shi et al 4 , and Chen et al 8 , are the only worldwide studies describing the clinical-pathological characteristics of HER-2 ultra-low breast cancer. 4,7,8 There are no Brazilian studies on the subject.…”

“…[4][5][6] Tuhulong et al 7 , Shi et al 4 , and Chen et al 8 , are the only worldwide studies describing the clinical-pathological characteristics of HER-2 ultra-low breast cancer. 4,7,8 There are no Brazilian studies on the subject. Therefore, the importance of this short communication is to describe the clinical-pathological characteristics of this group of breast cancer in a Brazilian middle city which can help to stablished new public health strategies.…”