HER-2 immunohistochemical expression as prognostic marker in high-grade T1 bladder cancer (T1G3)

• Published in: Archivio italiano di urologia, andrologia Vol. 85; no. 2; pp. 73 - 77
• Main Authors: Bongiovanni, Luca, Arena, Vincenzo, Vecchio, Fabio Maria, Racioppi, Marco, Bassi, Pierfrancesco, Pierconti, Francesco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy PAGEPress Publications 24.06.2013
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers, Tumor; Bladder cancer; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell - chemistry; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell - mortality; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell - surgery; Cystectomy - methods; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Follow-Up Studies; HER-2 expression; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Grading; Neoplasm Proteins - analysis; Neoplasm Staging; Prognosis; Prognostic marker; Receptor, ErbB-2 - analysis; T1G3; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms - chemistry; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms - mortality; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms - pathology; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms - surgery
• ISSN: 1124-3562; 2282-4197
• DOI: 10.4081/aiua.2013.2.73

To evaluate if the Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) expression levels may be used as potential prognostic marker in high grade T1 blad- der cancer (T1G3) METHODS: Specimens from transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) of 103 patients with high-grade T1 bladder cancer were collected. This pathologic database was reviewed. Four-year follow-up data were matched with pathologic data. Eighty-three patients entered the study. HER-2 staining was performed. Patients were grouped for HER-2 status. Statistical analysis included Kaplan Meier survival analysis and Log-rank test. Pathological review of TURBT specimens confirmed high-grade T1 transitional cell bladder cancer in all patients. Median follow-up was 12 months (mean 23,5; range 3-48). Twenty-one patients (25.4%) present strong HER-2 expression (3+), 28 (33.7%) moderate expression (2+), 26 (33.7%) weak staining (1+) and 8 (9.6%) negative expression (0). Thirty- one patients of 83 (37.4%) had not evidence of disease, 41 (49.4%) recurred, 11 (13.2%) had a progression of disease. Forty-one patients had high grade T1 recurrence. Patients with HER-2 status 0 did not showed progression of disease. Patients with HER-2 status 3+, undergoing cys- tectomy because progression of disease, had a pathological stage > pT2 and a nodal involve- ment. Median Disease-Free Survival (DFS) for all patients was 12 months (DFS probability (pDFS) = 49.3%; 95% CI, -11.1/+10.1). Median DFS in HER-2 groups was 8 (pDFS 37.5%; 95% CI,-28.8/+29.9), 24 (pDFS 46.1%; 95% CI,-19.5/+17.5), 20 (pDFS 46.4%; 95% CI,-18.8/+16.9) and 10 months (pDFS 47.6%; 95% CI,-21.9/+19.1) respectively in HER-2 status 0,1+,2+,3+. Log-Rank test is not statistically significant (p = 0,39). This study showed that HER-2 expression does not represent a prognostic mark- er of recurrence/progression of disease in high-grade T1 bladder cancer.