HER-2/neu (c-erbB-2) Expression Assessment in Breast Cancer

Objective: Our study attempts to determine the prognostic value of the qualitative measurement of the c-erbB-2 in a group of patients with breast cancer. Method: In a series of 41 patients with breast cancer we analyzed clinical and pathological variables, menopausal status, tumor size, number of affected nodes, type and histology grade and molecular variables like estrogen and progesterone receptors. Results: In the multivariate analysis, however, only the tumor size, number of affected ganglia, the p185 and the ER remained associated with the clinical progression of the disease. Conclusions: c-erbB-2 overexpression is correlated with axillary positive nodes, less differentiated tumor phenotypes and reverse proportional correlated with hormonal receptors expression, reflecting an aggressive tumoral phenotype with reduced sensitivity to cellular control mechanisms and increasing resistance to chemotherapy or hormonotherapy.