Prognostic significance of HER2 expression for gastric cancer with clinically para-aortic lymph node metastasis

Abstract

Background/Aim: To determine the prognostic utility of trastuzumab-based chemotherapy based on human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression in patients with para-aortic lymph node (PAN) metastasis from gastric cancer. Patients and Methods: A total of 41 patients with clinical PAN metastasis from gastric cancer who underwent chemotherapy were retrospectively enrolled. Results: Eighteen (43.9%) patients had HER2-positive tumors and consequently, received trastuzumab-based chemotherapy. A total of 11 patients underwent surgery. HER2 status was significantly correlated with the number of distant metastatic sites, the presence or absence of trastuzumab-based chemotherapy, and the presence or absence of gastrectomy. HER2-positive patients had significantly better prognosis than HER2-negative patients. Multivariate analysis identified age and trastuzumab-based chemotherapy based on HER2 status as an independent prognostic factor. Conclusion: Assessing HER2 expression and subsequent trastuzumab-based chemotherapy can be an effective method for determining the prognosis of patients with PAN metastasis from gastric cancer.