Comparison of HER2 status between disseminated tumor cells (DTC) and corresponding tumors in breast cancer patients

Aims: Breast cancer patients with tumor cell persistence in the bone marrow may benefit from a secondary adjuvant immunotherapy. HER2 protein is suggested as one of those promising targets. However, the antigen pattern of disseminated cells (DTC), to which immunotherapy might be targeted, could differ from the antigen profile of the primary tumor. Therefore, the aims of this study were (a) to determine the HER2 status of DTC and (b) to compare the HER2 status between DTC and corresponding primary tumors. Methods: 135 primary breast cancer patients were included in this study. The isolation of DTC was performed b…