Prevalence of HER2 Expression and Its Correlation with Clinicopathological Parameters in Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma in North-East Indian Population

Objective: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (erbb2/HER2) overexpression, has now been implicatedin advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers. The study was conducted to determine the rate of HER2positivity in patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma in North-EastIndia and to assess the impact of various demographic and clinical parameters on HER2 positivity. Methods: A total of68 patients of age >18 years of gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma diagnosed on histopathological examinationfrom September 2016 to February 2018 at Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, Assam were enrolled for the observational(epidemiological) study. All patients were subjected to the HER2 immunohistochemistry test using a FDA-approved,standardized test kit. HER2 expression was correlated with various demographic and clinicopathological parameters.Results: The overall rate of HER2 positivity in the population studied was 56% (n=38). The rate was non-significantlyhigher in male, older age group (>60 years) and Hindu population. Similarly, HER2 positivity rate was higher in patientswith well differentiated histology and was more common in patients with stage II and III diseases, but neither of theassociations is statistically significant. HER2 positivity rate was significantly higher in proximal and in GEJ tumours(56% versus 44%, P=0.002). Conclusion: HER2 overexpression was evident in 56% of the North-East Indian patientswith locally advanced and metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. The overexpression correlatedsignificantly with primary tumour site. Routine testing of gastric and gastroesophageal tumours for HER2 expressionis recommended to provide a therapeutic advantage in Indian patients.     

Outcomes after neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy for cT2-4N0-1 non–small cell lung cancer: A propensity-matched analysis

Objective

Comparative survival between neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with cT2-4N0-1M0 non–small cell lung cancer has not been extensively studied.

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus leukoderma treated with melanocyte‐keratinocyte transplantation procedure

Depigmented lesions may occur as postinflammatory sequelae of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), leading to great psychosocial impact. A 53‐year‐old male patient presented with post‐SCLE depigmented facial lesions after five years of disease stability. We proposed surgical treatment with melanocyte‐keratinocyte transplantation procedure (MKTP), and after five months the patient achieved 90% repigmentation, without Koebner phenomenon (KP). In theory, KP is a possible complication of MKTP procedure since the preparation of the receptor area involves the use of dermabrasion. In an attempt to avoid it, we suggest to maintain the treatment of the underlying disease and wait for a minimum period of disease stability before the procedure.