In a nutshell
This study examined whether the protein HER3 is increased in colorectal tumors and in colorectal cancer liver metastases (cancer that has spread from the colon or rectum to the liver).
Some background
To improve colorectal cancer patients’ outcomes, anticancer treatments that target specific proteins are needed. High levels of HER3 (an important protein involved in cell signalling) in tumors are linked with worse outcomes for patients with breast cancer, stomach cancer, and ovarian cancer.
HER3 is increased in some colorectal cancer tumors, but it is not known whether HER3 expression is increased in liver and lymph node (tiny, bean-shaped organs that help fight infections) metastases from colorectal cancer. If HER3 is increased in these distant cancer cells, drugs that block HER3 may be useful for treating patients.
Methods & findings
The authors examined the medical records of 107 patients who were treated for colorectal cancer that had spread to the liver. HER3 levels were measured in patients’ colorectal tumors and in their liver tumors. HER3 levels in lymph nodes were also measured in 62 patients whose cancer had spreadto the lymph nodes.
80% of the patients had high levels of HER3 in the colorectal tumors. 82% of the patients had high levels of HER3 in the liver tumors. 81% of patients had high levels of HER3 in the lymph nodes.
The average survival time was 60 months. There was no difference in survival time for patients with high levels of HER3 compared to patients with low levels of HER3.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that roughly 80% of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer had high levels of HER3 in their tumors. They suggest that medication that blocks HER3 might be useful for treating these patients.
Published By :
Acta Oncologica
Date :
Jan 20, 2015
