Regarding “HER2 Overexpression as a Poor Prognostic Determinant in Resected Biliary Tract Cancer”

[摘要] We read with great interest the article published by Vivaldi et al. [1] and commend the authors for bringing this interesting report to the field of scientific research on biliary tract cancer (BTC). Despite all the therapeutic milestones achieved in the last decade, surgery remains the only curative treatment modality in patients with BTC, and recurrence rates after surgery are still high [2]. The study by Vivaldi et al. investigated the prognostic value of HER2 expression in a cohort of 100 patients with radically resected BTC followed at the Pisa University Hospital within a 10-year period [1]; according to their results, the authors suggested a negative prognostic impact of HER2 overexpression on disease recurrence. It is an important article pointing out an interesting and timely topic in BTC management. One of the strengths of this article is that the paper may open a reflection regarding the role of HER2 assessment on the “slippery slope” of adjuvant treatment in BTC, where HER2 could challenge the therapeutic decisionmaking approach to completely resected BTC [3]. Moreover, the authors performed fluorescence in situ hybridization only on immunohistochemistry (IHC) 2+ and IHC3+ patients, as being supported by current guidelines [4].

[学科分类] 地质学