HER2 overexpression is associated with worse outcomes in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC)

Purpose The aim of our study was to evaluate the expression pattern of HER2 overexpression in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and to evaluate its association with clinical outcomes. Methods This multicenter retrospective study included 732 patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy for UTUC. HER2 expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry and scored according to the HercepTest: Scores of 0 or 1 were considered negative and 2 or 3 as positive. To qualify for 2 scoring, complete membrane staining of more than 10 % of tumor cells at a moderate intensity had to be observed. Results HER2 was overexpressed in 262 (35.8 %) patients. It was associated with pathologic characteristics such as more advanced T stage ( p