According to a recent meta-analysis published in PLoS One, expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer.
Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 34 observational studies (n=5180) identified through a literature search on the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases.
HER2 positive expression had a significant correlation with worse OS (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.31-1.89) as well as DFS/PFS (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.04-1.56) in patients with ovarian cancers. In subgroup analysis, HER2 expression was associated with worse OS for unclassified ovarian cancer (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.29-1.88), Asian ethnicity (HR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.06-2.9) and Caucasian ethnicity (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.3-1.94).
According to the authors, either gene amplification or overexpression could result in dysregulated HER2 signalling in ovarian cancer, thereby accelerating cell growth, DNA damage and tumour progression. "HER2 expression may be successfully utilised as a prognostic biomarker in patients with ovarian cancer," the authors said.
