The Predictive Value of HER2 Protein Overexpression on Postoperative Recurrence and Metastasis of Breast Cancer

Shan Jian; Li Xin

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-5775.2025.22.016

Abstract：Objective:To investigate the predictive value of overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2(HER2)protein in postoperative recurrence and metastasis of breast cancer.Methods:A total of 90 patients with breast cancer who were admitted in the sample hospitals from July 2020 to October 2021 were selected.The tumor tissues and adjacent tissues of all patients were taken for immunohistochemical examination.According to the level of HER2 protein expression,patients with HER2 protein positive expression were selected as overexpression group(n=31),and patients with HER2 protein negative expression were selected as non-overexpression group(n=59),and their clinicopathological characteristics were compared.All patients were followed up for 3 years.Kaplan Meier curve,univariate and multivariate Cox analysis were used to evaluate the predictive value of HER2 protein overexpression on postoperative recurrence and metastasis of breast cancer.Results:There were significant differences in TNM staging,lymph node metastasis,and vascular invasion between the HER2 protein overexpression group and the non-overexpression group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).All patients were followed up,19 patients experienced recurrence and metastasis,the Relapse-Free Survival(RFS)rates between these two groups were compared,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Cox regression analysis showed that TNM stage,lymph node metastasis and overexpression of HER2 protein were independent predictors of postoperative recurrence and metastasis of breast cancer(P＜0.05).Conclusion:The disease-free survival rate of breast cancer patients with HER2 overexpression is significantly reduced,and early recognition of HER2 overexpression before surgery could predict the recurrence and metastasis of breast cancer after surgery.