Objective To investigate the relationship between the expressions of P-gp, GST-π and C-erbB-2 and clinicopathologic characteristics as well as prognosis in breast cancer. Methods The expressions of P-gp， GST-π and C-erbB-2 were detected by immunohistochemistry in 48 cases of breast cancer, and histopathologic characteristics as well as 5-year survival rate of these cases were analyzed. Results There was no significant difference in the expressions of P-gp and GST-π with age, histologic grade, number of lymph node metastasis and TNM stage of breast cancer ( P ＞ 0.05). There was significant difference in expression of C-erbB-2 with histologic grade, number of lymph node metastasis and TNM stage of breast cancer （ P ＜ 0.05）. Positive rate of P-gp expression in breast cancer with positive C-erbB-2 expression was remarkably higher than that in breast cancer with negative C-erbB-2 expression ( P ＜ 0.05) . Positive rate of GST-π and C-erbB-2 expression in survivals within 5 years was remarkably lower than that in deaths within 5 years ( P ＜ 0.01). Conclusion P-gp participates primary drug-resistance mechanism of breast cancer. The possibility of primary drug-resistance is higher in breast cancer with positive C-erbB-2 expression. The expression of C-erbB-2 helps to evaluate prognosis and the result of treatment in breast cancer.
ObjectiveTo summarize the biological characteristics of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2/neu) gene, the expression and meaning of HER-2/neu gene in gastric cancer, and clinical application of targeted medicine of HER-2/neu gene in gastric cancer. MethodsRelated literatures about HER-2/neu gene and gastric cancer were retrieved for a review. ResultsHER-2/neu gene encoded human epidermal growth factor receptor, and it participated in the gene regulation of tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis through the downstream signal transduction pathway. Amplification of HER-2/neu gene or overexpression of HER-2 was closely bound up to the occurrence and development of gastric cancer, however, whether it could be used as independent prognostic factors of gastric cancer remained to be controversial. Several targeted medicine of HER-2/neu gene had applied to clinical at present, and all of them obtained good short-term effect. ConclusionHER-2/neu gene is a reliable target of gastric cancer and targeted medicine of HER-2/neu gene has a promising prospect.
ObjectiveTo summarize the progress in mechanisms of resistance to trastuzumab in treating human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer. MethodsBy searching Pubmed and CNKI, the literatures of mechanisms of resistance to trastuzumab in treating HER2-positive breast cancer were reviewed. ResultsThe possible mechanism of resistance to trastuzumab are thought to include HER2 gene amplification and high protein expression; impaired access of trastuzumab to HER2; bidirectional crosstalk between ER and HER2; HER2 downstream signal transduction pathway activation; expansion expression of other RTKs and membrane-associated receptors; alterations in apoptosis and cell cycle control as well as multi-gene mutation, etc. ConclusionsMechanisms of trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer is complicated, a better understanding will be achieved by comprehensive analysis of existing possible mechanisms. The outcome of HER2-positive breast cancer patients who developed resistance to trastuzumab will be improved by appropriate multi-target regime.
ObjectiveTo investigate the quality of life (QOL) and its influencing factors of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive breast cancer returning to social life after treatment.MethodsFunctional assessment of cancer therapy-breast scale (FACT-B Scale) was adopted to investigate the QOL of the HER2 positive breast cancer survivors, who were admitted and treated during January 2015 and October 2019 in Fujian Provincial Hospital. The demographic, social and economic data, as well as the clinical information of the responded survivors were collected. Logistic regression model was adopted to analyze factors associated with the QOL of the responded survivors.ResultsA total of 117 responded survivors were included. The median of the FACT-B scale was 106.0 (91.0, 121.3) points out of 148 points (71.6%). With the control of the demographic, social and economic status of the responded survivors, as well as the time from diagnosis and treatment to responding to the follow-up, we found that "having other chronic conditions" was the risk factor for the HER2 positive breast cancer survivors to have higher QOL in the social life after treatment (OR=4.17, 95%CI 1.33 to 15.37, P=0.01).ConclusionsThe overall QOL of the HER2 positive breast cancer survivors in the social life after treatment was low. "Having other chronic conditions" was the risk factor for the HER2 positive breast cancer survivors to have higher QOL in the social life after treatment.
Objective To analyze the factors associated with the adoption of targeted therapy in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer and to generate evidence to inform decision-making on public security policy regarding innovative anticancer medicines for the benefit of patients. Methods The study population comprised female patients diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer and treated at Fujian Cancer Hospital from 2014 to 2020. The patients were eligible for targeted therapy. The demographic and sociological characteristics and clinical information of patients were extracted from the hospital information system. We performed binary logistic regression analysis of factors associated with the adoption of targeted therapy in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. We also divided the participants into two groups according to their tumor stage for subgroup analysis. Results A total of 1 041 female patients with HER2-positive breast cancer were included, among them, 803 received targeted therapy. In September 2017, molecular-targeted medicines for HER2-positive breast cancer began to be included in the local basic health insurance program. Only 282 (35.1%) patients adopted targeted therapy before September 2017, after which this number increased to 521 (64.9%). Among the patients who adopted targeted therapy, most were formally employed (45.8%) and enrollees of the urban employee health insurance program (66.0%). Among those who did not adopt targeted therapy, most were unemployed (42.4%) and enrollees of the resident health insurance program (50.0%). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that patient occupation, gene expression of estrogen receptor, tumor stage, surgery or not, radiotherapy or not, and undergoing treatment before or after September 2017 were correlated with the adoption of targeted therapy (P<0.05). Conclusions Inclusion of targeted medicines for HER2-positive breast cancer in the health insurance program substantially increased the overall administration of these therapies. Individual affordability is a critical factor associated with the application of targeted therapy in eligible patients. Future policies should enhance the public security of patients with a relatively weak ability to pay and provide insurance coverage for innovative anti-cancer medicines.