Her2-Neu Expression Analysis in the Tumors of Stomach and Intestine

Background: Tumors of stomach and intestine is the 5th most common malignancy and 3rd leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Most cases are diagnosed in advanced stages making treatment difficult. International regulatory agencies have recently approved trastuzumab therapy in locally advanced and metastatic gastric adenocarcinomas expressing Her2-Neu. Objective: The aim of present study is analyzed the Her2-Neu expression analysis in the tumors of stomach and intestine and correlate that with clinicopathological characteristics. Methodology: Tissue specimens obtained from the from 61 cases who were clinicoradiologically diagnosed with benign and malignant lesions of stomach and intestine. Sections were stained with Haematoxylin& Eosin (H&E) stains under strict quality assurance. Her2-Neu monoclonal rabbit antibody was used form immunohistochemical analysis. Data of Her2-Neu expression was correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics. Results: A higher incidence of stomach and intestinal lesions was found in the age group beyond 30 years. A high male to female ratio was observed. The dominant site of involvement was intestine (55.7%) followed by the stomach (44.3%). Total 17 (28%) cases were diagnosed as benign and 44(72%) were diagnosed as malignant on histopathology. Out of 44 malignant cases diagnosed on histomorphology, the maximum cases 29(66%) were diagnosed as moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Among 44 malignant patients have 3+ expression of Her2-Neu, 14(88%) patients have 2+ expression and 14 (67%) patients have 1+ expression. The association of Her2-Neu expression in different histomorphological grades and types showed that higher grades of adenocarcinoma showed 3+ and 2+ Her2-Neu expression. Conclusion: Her2-Neu overexpression was found to be statistically significantly correlated with middle age group and moderately and poorly differentiated gastric and intestinal tumors; they may be the candidates for Herceptin-based targeted treatment. To investigate the function of Her2-Neu as a stand-alone prognostic factor, more research with ample sample size is required.