The Role of Progesterone (PR), Estrogen Receptors (ER), and Human Growth Factor 2 (HER2) As Early Diagnostic Markers in Women with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide. Expression of three receptors, including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), plays an important role in the prognosis and treatment of breast cancer. This study aims to analyze the demographic profile of BC patients and evaluate the steroid receptor status and its association with the grading of breast cancer. A total of 124 women diagnosed with breast cancer attended the Department of the National Cancer Institute, Sabratha (NCI) from November 2024 to March 2025. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from these patients. A significant association was found in age group, marital status, family history, and body mass index. Positive expression of ER and PR was significantly higher among patients. Furthermore, an inverse relationship was revealed between positive expression of ER and PR status and HER2. Furthermore, tumor grade II was more common among the patients in our study, followed by grades III and I, and there was a significant association between grade II and positive expression of PR (P = 0.002); however, HER2 expression did not show a significant association with tumor grade. Analysis of ER, PR, and HER2 receptors has clinical importance in breast cancer prognosis and treatment response