Prognostic and Predictive Role of HER2 Expression in Metastatic Gastric Cancer in Turkish Patients

Abstract

Background: In this study, we investigate the role of HER2 expression in prediction of the response to treatment combination including dosetaxel, cisplatin and 5-FU which is used in metastatic gastric cancer in Turkish patients. Methods: Patients who were histopathologically diagnosed with metastatic gastric cancer at the Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Medical Oncology from 2008 to 2010 were included in this study. Results: IHC assessment identified 4 patients (25%) 0 / negative, 5 patients (31.3%) 1+ / negative, 4 patients (25%) 2 + / suspected, and 3 patients (18.8%) 3 + / positive. The relationship between HER2 expression and the response using chi-square test was not statistically significant. Conclusions: We believe that identification of patients who will respond to chemoterapy combination is important to prevent complications. The important shortcomings in our study include covering a small number of patients and the use of FISH method. Therefore, we believe that further studies using FISH method with more patients are required to investigate the role of HER2 expression in predicting the response to DCF chemotherapy combination.