Expression of estrogen receptors (ER) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in mucoepidermoid carcinoma: Relationship to its grading

Introduction: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is one of the most common malignant salivary gland neoplasms. It represents diverse biological aggressiveness and prognosis. Estrogen receptors (ER) are activated by sex hormone Estrogen. HER2 is a member of epidermal growth factor receptors. Both ER and HER2 have been implicated in the pathogenesis and prognosis of many neoplasms particularly breast. Little is known about their role in MEC. Materials methods: Normal salivary gland, low and high grade MEC tissue specimens were stained with anti-ER and anti-HER2 antibodies and the expression was quantified using ImagJ. Results: Normal salivary gland tissues were negative for both ER and HER2 while MEC was positive for both of them. Interestingly, ER and HER2 expression was higher in high grade MEC than in low grade MEC. Conclusion: ER and HER2 expression in MEC is correlated with its grade and may play a role in development and progression of MEC.