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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 20, 2018
Prognostic impact of HER-2/neu expression on squamous head and neck carcinomas
Andrea Cavalot1, Tiziana Martone, Nicolò Roggero
1Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Background:
HER-2/neu gene amplification and protein overexpression have been identified in various solid tumors, but its prognostic relevance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is still controversial.
Methods:
The study investigated the expression of HER-2/neu oncoprotein in HNSCC and sought possible correlations to various clinicopathologic parameters. Expression of HER-2/neu oncoprotein was assessed in archival tumor tissues from 87 untreated HNSCC patients by immunohistochemical technique. Data were correlated with both the clinicopathologic parameters and patient survival.
Results:
A high membranous HER-2/neu protein expression level was found in 39% of patients. Multivariate analysis indicated that HER-2/neu protein expression and pN lymph-node status were independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival.
Conclusions:
HER2/neu overexpression and its relationship with survival suggest that new therapeutic approaches targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family receptors could provide a new way of treating HNSCC patients with HER2/neu-positive neoplastic lesions.