HER2/neu over-expression predicts poor outcome in early gastric cancer without lymph node metastasis

Summary Purpose Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) is involved in the pathogenesis of several types of cancer, including gastric cancer. However, there remains a paucity of data regarding the prognostic relevance of HER2/neu in early gastric cancer without lymph node metastasis (pN0 EGC). The aim of our study was to analyze whether the over-expression of HER2/neu significantly predicts poor outcomes of pN0 EGC. Patients and methods Sixty-seven patients who underwent operative resection for pN0 EGC was enrolled. The HER2/neu status was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Results The HER2/neu-positive rate was 16.4%. HER2/neu over-expression showed a significant correlation with histological type ( P  ≤ 0.001), tumor location ( P  = 0.022) and Lauren grade ( P  = 0.012). Multivariate analysis showed HER2/neu serves as a good prognostic marker to predict the risk of poor outcome for pN0 EGC. (HR = 1.384, 95.0% CI: 1.142–1.897 P  = 0.005) Conclusion Considering HER2/neu over-expression significantly predicts poor outcome in pN0 EGC, accurate HER2/neu assessment would be done before endoscopic therapy. For HER2/neu-positive patients, radical surgery should be performed.