Her-2/neu over-expression correlates with more advanced disease in Iranian colorectal cancer patients

Her-2/neu protein is a member of the epidermal growth factor family of receptors which, upon activation, contributes positively to the growth and dissemination of neoplasia. Over-expression of this protein has been reported in different human tumors and shown to be a valuable prognostic factor especially in breast cancer. A limited number of studies have also shown positive correlation between Her-2/neu over-expression and advanced tumor progression in colorectal cancer. Here we studied the prevalence of Her-2/neu over-expression in Iranian colorectal cancer patients and assessed its correlation with the disease's progression.

Fifty-five colorectal cancer patients in different stages of disease were studied. The pathology specimens were immunohistochemically stained using monoclonal antibody against Her-2/neu protein. Correlation of the degree of staining with clinicopathological parameters was investigated.

It was shown that in an Iranian population of colorectal cancer patients, the Her-2/neu oncogene is over-expressed in a significant number of cases and positively correlates with tumor stage and grade, being more frequent in the advanced and less differentiated samples.

These data can be applied in designating new chemotherapeutic regimens using drugs that block the function of Her-2/neu in colorectal cancer patients in Iran.