Publication:

Expression of anaplastic lymphokinase and HER2/neu immunostaining in patients with breast carcinoma

Background The diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer is done with various immunomarkers including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/neu), and Ki-67. The diagnostic utility of Anaplastic Lymphokinase (ALK) and HER2/neu should be explored for better management of breast carcinoma patients. So, the present study was designed to determine the expression of immunostaining with ALK and HER2/neu in patients with breast cancer and to compare the association of ALK expression and HER2/neu with clinicopathological parameters.

Methods This is a cross sectional multicenter study carried out from October 2016 to March 2017. A total of 140 subjects having breast carcinoma by using non-probability purposive sampling technique were selected. After taking informed consent, tissue samples were taken from received specimen of mastectomy for hematoxylin and eosin stain. The immunohistochemistry for ALK and HER2/neu were assessed on the paraffin blocks of the tumor.

Results Out of total 140 cases invasive ductal carcinoma (89%), invasive lobular carcinoma (8%), invasive medullary carcinoma (2.1%) and papillary carcinoma (0.7%) were seen. ALK expression was positive in 81 patients (58%) while HER2/neu expression was positive in 53 cases (38%). Significant association was observed between ALK expression with histological grade, lymph node involvement, skin involvement and necrosis. There was also a significant association was seen between HER2/neu expression with lymph node metastasis and necrosis.

Conclusions Present study shows higher expression of ALK when compared to HER2/neu expression in breast cancer patients.