Changes in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) are predictive biomarkers for breast and gastric cancers.  However, little is known about its alteration in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we evaluated the expression of HER-2 in Algerian CRC patients. We further assessed the frequency of kRAS mutations, a predictive biomarker for anti-EGFR therapy.

Eighty Algerian CRC patients were characterized for clinico-pathological features (age, tumor location, and tumor grade). Twenty paraffin-embedded rectal cancer samples were tested for HER-2 using immunohistochemistry (IHC), and sixty surgical specimens of CRC tumors were subjected to polymerase chain reaction analysis for KRAS mutations.

The clinical study revealed a median age of 63 years for diagnosis of CRC, with tumor location predominant in the colon (71.25%) compared to the rectum (26.25%) and rectosigmoid (2.5%). Additionally, low-grade adenocarcinomas with well-differentiated tumors accounted for 90% of cases. IHC analysis showed HER-2 expression in 10% of patients with metastatic rectal cancer. The frequency of kRAS mutations was 33.33%.

We showed for the first time an HER-2 expression in Algerian patients with rectal metastatic cancer who might benefit from anti-HER-2 therapy. Additionally, kRAS mutational status could be used in patient selection for anti-EGFR therapy.