Utility of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR), and her2 expression in primary breast carcinoma in Iraqi Women

Background: Immunohistochemical markers can be used to classify breast cancer into distinct biological subtypes that behave differently. The Hormone receptors (estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR)), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) profile of breast carcinoma have a significant role in determining patient's prognosis, in addition to early detection of cancer, planning treatment and monitoring response to treatment. Increase use of tumor markers represents a shift in understanding of the basic biology of breast cancer, and treatment modules. The aim of this study was to assess immunohistochemical (IHC) profiles (Estrogen receptor (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2 of primary breast carcinomas in Iraqi women, and their relation to different clinicopathological parameters. Materials & Methods: Breast tissue samples were assessed using tumor biomarkers for hormone receptor (HR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) expression. Histologic data was collected for each case, including tumor size (cm), tumor grade, stage, lymph node status, and IHC panel (ERα, PR, HER2). Results: Of the 47 carcinomas studied, 63.8 % were positive for ERα, 23.4% positivity for PR, and 23.4% were ERα positive/PR positive (ER+/PR+). For 47 cases with HER2 IHC, 25.5 % were positive. ER and PR association with clinicopathological parameters was not significant. The positive expression of HER2 of tumors was significant association with histological grade. Conclusions: Profiles for ER, PR IHC were not significantly associated with stage & grade of the tumor, and their expression may be independent from the grade and stage of tumor. Further investigation is warranted to assess reproducibility of technique and investigate clinical implications of PR status in primary breast carcinoma.