An Association Between Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 and Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Background: Prostate cancer is a momentous health problem worldwide. Prostate cancer in Sudan is the third most com- mon cancer type. The role of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) in prostatic tumors is still not fully understood. The findings of studies testing the association between HER2/neu expression and prostate cancer have been inconsistent. Objectives: To demonstrate the association between ages, epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and prostate cancer. Design: Retrospective. Settings: Sudan University for Science and Technology and National Health Laboratory (NHL) in Khartoum state Republic of Sudan. Patients and methods: Two paraffin sections were taken, one stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin to confirm the diag- nosis, the other stained using primary antibodies to HER2 protein with immunohistochemistry method using the DAKO Hercep Test TM protocol. Sample size: Forty-six paraffin blocks were included in this study; 36 specimens were medium-grade and high-grade can- cers and ten specimens were low-grade cancer. Results: The mean age of the study group was 64 years. Prostatic cancer grades revealed, 10 (21.7%) patients with Gleason Group = 3 + 3, 2 (4.3%) patients with Gleason Group = 3 + 4, 11 (23.9%) patients with Gleason Group = 4 + 3, and 23 (50%) patients with Gleason Group = 4 + 4. Positive Her2 was found to be associated with high-grade (GG8) and medium-grade (GG7) compared to low-grade prostatic cancer (GG6). Conclusions: The current study was a clue for a possible association between HER2/neu and prostatic cancer, and further studies might elucidate this connection.