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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells
Published on: July 20, 2014
Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 and topoisomerase II alpha expressions in rectal cancer
Sheng Liming1, Zhu Yuan, Deng Qinghua
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China.
Background/Aims:
The objectives of the present study were to investigate human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) and topoisomerase II alpha (T2a) expressions in rectal cancer (RC) and to evaluate their correlation.
Methodology:
The status of HER2 and T2a in tumor specimens from 302 RC patients was retrospectively assessed using immunohistochemistry. Clinicopathological parameters were compared.
Results:
HER2 overexpression (2+ or 3+) was found in only 31 patients (10.3%), whereas positive immunostaining for the T2a protein was detected in most patients (n=272, 90.1%). HER2 expression tended to positively correlate with T2a level (r=0.224; p<0.001). Relationships between HER2 expression and patients' age and gender, tumor size, differentiation, and TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and lymphovascular invasion were not found (p>0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified TNM stage III and lymphovascular invasion as independent risk factors for T2a overexpression (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
As the contribution of HER2 appears minimal, it has low potential as a therapeutic target in RC. T2a may play an important role in cancer cell progression and invasion, and T2a inhibitors could be used in the treatment of RC.
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