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Abstract
Background. The human epidermal growth factor receptor complex (EGFR-1, HER2, HER3 and HER4) plays an important role in pathogenesis of solid tumours. We have previously reported high expression of HER3 in 70% of primary colorectal cancer (CRC) and that high expression were linked to a worse clinical outcome. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the HER3 expression in primary CRC and metastases.
Material and methods. Tissue samples from primary CRC, corresponding lymph node metastases and liver metastases from 107 patients were analysed by immunohistochemistry.
Results. Of 107 patients, 80% showed high HER3 expression in primary CRC tumours and 81% of the stage III patients presented high expression in the lymph node metastases. All patients had liver metastases and 82% presented high HER3 expression. HER3 expression in primary tumour correlated with expression in the corresponding lymph node metastases (r = 0.65, p < 0.001) and in the liver metastases (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). A correlation between HER3 expression in corresponding lymph node and liver metastases (r = 0.65, p < 0.001) was seen.
Conclusion. High HER3 expression is seen in about 80% of primary CRC, corresponding lymph node metastases and liver metastases. There is a correlation between HER3 expression in primary tumour and metastases in CRC.
Acknowledgements and fundings
We would like to thank associate professor Bengt Isaksson for contributing with CRC liver metastases and comprehensive data in this field and Yunxia Lu for contributing to the statistical analysis. Thanks also to the colleagues at the Pathological Department at Karolinska University Hospital associate professor Göran Elmberger and MD Anna Kwiecinska. This study was possible thanks to support from The Ihre Foundation of the Swedish Society of Medicine, The Juhlin Foundation, Syskonen Svenssons Foundation and The Cancer Research Foundations of Radiumhemmet, Stockholm, regional agreement on medical training and clinical research (ALF) between Stockholm County Council and the Karolinska Institutet.
Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.