Introduction/Background HER3 (ErbB-3) is a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor family. HER3 overexpression is associated with worse prognosis in ovarian cancer and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Here, the purpose of the current study is to evaluate the expression and risk factors for postoperative recurrence of HER3 in adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervix.

Methodology This retrospective study included 100 patients diagnosed with primary cervical cancer who underwent primary surgery between 1997 and 2017 was stained immunohistochemically for HER3 expression. Evaluation of HER3 expression was performed by an experienced pathologist in accordance with the HER2 testing guideline for gastroesophageal cancer from CAP, ASCP, and ASCO. A possible influence of HER3 expression on survival was studied by multivariate Cox regression adjusting for established risk factors for postoperative recurrence.

Results A positive HER3 expression was found in 68.9% (42/61) of squamous cell carcinoma, 85.1% (23/27) of adenocarcinoma, and 58.3% (7/12) of adenosquamous carcinoma. With a median follow-up period for survivors of 63.1 months, the 3-year disease-free survival rates (DFS) in patients with adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervix were 55.9% in HER3-high and 88.9% in HER3-low/negative (p=0.20). In multivariate analysis, HER3 [HR, 6.62; 95% CI, 1.8–37.1; P=0.03], pelvic lymph nodes [HR, 6.72; 95% CI, 2.0–23.5; P<0.01], vascular invasion [HR, 3.64; 95% CI, 1.1–12.2; P=0.04] were independent predictive factors of DFS.

Conclusion HER3 overexpression was independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence in patients with adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervix.

Disclosure Nothing to disclose.