PURPOSE: The role of the HER family in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) is not well-defined. This study was aimed to assess the frequency of HER2/neu overexpression in oral carcinogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of HER2/neu oncoprotein in OSCCs (N= 18), oral epithelial dysplasia (N= 18) and normal oral mucosa (N= 18) was assessed by immunohistochemistry using a cerbB2 antibody kit. RESULTS: HER2/neu was almost undetectable in normal oral mucosa and only 1/18 (0/05) of cases was positive. In oral epithelial dysplasia, 2/18 (11.1%) demonstrated staining, as did 3/18 OSCCs. Membrane staining was observed in all cases and there was no significant variation in frequency/intensity between normal oral mucosa / oral epithelial dysplasia and OSCCs (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Aberrant expression of HER2/neu apparently does not contribute to carcinogenesis in the oral epithelium. The lack of overexpression in OSCCs indicates that molecular targeting is not feasible for adjuvant treatment.
PURPOSE: The role of the HER family in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) is not well-defined. This study was aimed to assess the frequency of HER2/neu overexpression in oral carcinogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of HER2/neu oncoprotein in OSCCs (N= 18), oral epithelial dysplasia (N= 18) and normal oral mucosa (N= 18) was assessed by immunohistochemistry using a cerbB2 antibody kit. RESULTS:HER2/neu was almost undetectable in normal oral mucosa and only 1/18 (0/05) of cases was positive. In oral epithelial dysplasia, 2/18 (11.1%) demonstrated staining, as did 3/18 OSCCs. Membrane staining was observed in all cases and there was no significant variation in frequency/intensity between normal oral mucosa / oral epithelial dysplasia and OSCCs (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Aberrant expression of HER2/neu apparently does not contribute to carcinogenesis in the oral epithelium. The lack of overexpression in OSCCs indicates that molecular targeting is not feasible for adjuvant treatment.
Authors: Yumna Adnan; Syed Muhammad Adnan Ali; Muhammad Sohail Awan; Romana Idress; Muhammad Ozair Awan; Hasnain Ahmed Farooqui; Hammad Afzal Kayani Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-05-11 Impact factor: 3.752