Objective: To detect HER-2/neu expression in prostate cancer tissues of both androgen dependent and independent groups and to evaluate the role of HER-2/neu in androgen independent prostate cancer.
Methods: Immunohistochemical assay was used in the detection of HER-2/neu in the prostate cancer samples from 30 cases of androgen dependent cancer and 24 cases of androgen independent cancer. The correlation was analyzed between HER-2/neu over-expression and the tumor's clinical stage and Gleason score.
Results: The rates of HER-2/neu over-expression were 10% and 33% in the androgen dependent group and the androgen independent group, significantly higher in the Gleason score >7 group and the clinical stage > T2 group than in the -7 group and the > T2 group (14.29% vs. 26.92%, 34.62% vs. 7.14%, P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The rate of HER-2/neu over-expression is high in androgen independent prostate cancer and is correlated with the tumor stage and Gleason score.