Background: Human epidermal growth factors receptors such as EGFR and HER2 play an important role in tumorigenesis and are used as therapeutic targets. Their role in aggressive primary ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is controversial.
Aim: To study the expression of EGFR and HER2 in ovarian HGSC, to correlate their expression with other clinicopathological parameters and to study their prognostic value.
Methods: Imunohistochemical staining of EGFR, HER2 and Ki-67 was done for 54 ovarian HGSC specimens. According to the used scoring methods, the expression of EGFR and HER2 was classified as high or low.
Results: High expression of EGFR and HER2 was found in a minority of specimens; 39% and 15%, respectively. None of the studied clinicopathological parameters correlated significantly with the expression of EGFR and HER2, except for the carcinoembryonic antigen level which correlated positively with HER2 expression. Disease-free survival of patients did not differ significantly according to the level of expression of EGFR and HER2 (p =0.684 and 0.186, respectively). Similarly, overall survival did not differ significantly (p =0.911 and 0.346, respectively).
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the prognostic value of EGFR and HER2 in ovarian HGSC is questionable.