[Expression of HER-2/neu oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma and the clinical implications].

Objective To investigate the expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER-2/neu) in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients and its clinical significance.Methods The expressions of HER-2/neu were detected by SP immunohistochemistry method in 30 patients with HCC,10 with portal cirrhosis of the liver and 10 with normal liver.Results The positivity rate of HER-2/neu was markedly higher in HCC patients than in those with portal cirrhosis and normal liver(χ2=6.482,P=0.032).The expression of HER-2/neu was closely correlated to portal cirrhosis of the liver(P=0.041),tumor invasion(P=0.028) and Edmondson grades(P=0.012).The average survival time was significant shorter in patients with HER-2/neu-positive tumor than in those with HER-2/neu-negative tumor(P=0.036).Conclusion The expression of HER-2/neu may play a role in the invasion,metastasis and progression of HCC.The patients positive for HER-2/neu in the HCC tissues have generally poor prognosis.