EVALUATION OF HER-2 EXPRESSION IN DIGESTIVE SYSTEM CANCER

Keywords: digestive system cancer, HER-2, immunofluorescence Abstract: Cancer can occur in various areas of the digestive system. Diagnosis is by endoscopy with biopsy (EDS-for esophagus and stomach, colonoscopy for colon and rectum) and by surgery (resection of stomach, colon and rectum) with exam HP extemporaneous of the tumoral segments, followed sometimes by CT, RMN, endoscopic ultrasound (esophagus) for staging. Treatment varies with localization on the digestive tract and, generally includes surgery with or without chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Our aim was to evaluate the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), which overexpression has been shown to be a significant negative prognostic variable. We performed immunofluorescence of HER-2 in 27 colorectal cancer samples, 2 esophagus cancer samples and 5 gastric cancers, respectively, by using antibodies against this antigen. Positive staining of HER-2 was observed when comparing with the normal (a safe margin of healthy tissue around it). The method used will enable accurate diagnosis of a digestive tract tumor and will be useful for selecting appropriate therapeutic strategies.