Early Detection of Serum Levels of HER-2 in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Introduction: The presence of HER-2 has been shown to be a prognostic factor in many kinds of cancers, but its role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is not still defined. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the role of HER-2 in HNSCC and its correlation with various clinicopathologic parameters. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 17 healthy volunteers and 69 patients with HNSCC before curative surgery. The HER-2 level was determined in each sample sandwich by ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using an independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and the Duncan procedure. Results: Mean HER-2 serum levels were higher in patients with HNSCC compared with healthy controls, although the difference was not statistically significant (3.85ng/ml vs. 3.75ng/ml; P>0.05). The mean serum level of HER-2 in patients with was higher in patients with lymph node involvement, metastasis, invasion, tumor size ≥ 2 cm, and stage >1, although the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: In this study the mean HER-2 serum level in patients with HNSCC was found to be greater in comparison with the healthy control group, although the difference was statistically insignificant. From the analysis of the results of the current study we have come to the conclusion that by increasing sample size the rising of the serum HER-2 level in patients with HNSCC can be meaningful. Apart from this, the role of HER-2 as a tumor marker in patients with HNSCC is still controversial and needs further studies to clarify the significance of this biomarker for early detection or screening for HNSCC.