【Objective】 To investigate the correlation of expression or overexpression and co-expression or co-overexpression of HER family proteins with the clinicopathological parameters of gastric cancer. 【Method】 Expression of HER1–4 proteins were determined by immunohistochemistry in 124 gastric cancer tissues

the correlation of expression

overexpression

co-expression and co-overexpression of HER family proteins with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of the patients were also analyzed. 【Results】 The expression rates of HER family proteins in 124 gastric cancer were 41.1% (51/124)

59.7% (74/124)

82.2% (102/124)

and 28.2% (35/124)

respectively. The overexpression rates of HER 1 ~ 4 proteins in the patients with gastric cancer were 6.5% (8/124)

26.6% (33/124)

22.6% (28/124)

and 12.1% (15/124)

respectively. HER2 overexpression was associated with intestinal-type gastric cancer(P = 0.001); HER3 overexpression was associated with depth of invasion

lymph node metastasis

distant metastasis

TNM stage of gastric cancer and worse survival(all P < 0.05); the co-expression of HER1

HER2

and HER3 were associated with distant metastasis of gastric cancer(P = 0.035).【Conclusion】 Overexpression of HER3 may be used to assess the malignant biological behavior and prognosis of gastric cancer.