ERBB-2 gene overexpression and amplification in uterine sarcomas.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The aim of this study was to determine ERBB-2 (HER-2/neu) gene alterations in different subtypes of uterine sarcomas.

METHODS:

After central review, representative biopsies were immunohistochemically stained and semiquantitatively scored as negative, weakly (1+), moderately (2+), or strongly (3+) positive. Subsequently, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on cases with 2+ and 3+ expression.

RESULTS:

Seventy tumors (52 primaries and 18 recurrent) were evaluated. All 10 adenosarcomas, 21 endometrial stromal sarcomas, and 10 leiomyosarcomas were negative both in the primary and recurrent setting. Twenty-two primary carcinosarcomas were scored. The epithelial component was negative/1+ in 16 (73%), 2+/3+ in five (22.5%) tumors, and could not be evaluated in one case (4.5%), whereas the sarcoma component stained negative/1+ in 21 cases (95.5%) and 3+ (4.5%) in one case. In two recurrent carcinosarcomas, the epithelial component stained 3+ in both cases, whereas the sarcoma component scored negative and 1+. Amplification of the ERBB-2 gene as determined by FISH was observed in 3/7 (43%) carcinosarcomas with 2+ or 3+ overexpression, resulting in an overall 3/22 (14%) amplification rate. One out of four undifferentiated uterine sarcomas stained 2+. ERBB-2 immunopositivity (3+) and ERBB-2 amplification by FISH were confirmed in the recurrent tumor, resulting in a gene amplification rate of 1/4 in undifferentiated uterine sarcomas.

CONCLUSION:

The current results suggest absence of ERBB-2 overexpression in uterine leiomyosarcoma, uterine adenosarcoma, and endometrial stromal sarcoma, whereas the ERBB-2 gene might have a biologic role in uterine carcinosarcoma and undifferentiated uterine sarcomas.

• Authors: Frederic Amant, Veerle Vloeberghs, Heidi Woestenborghs, Maria Debiec-Rychter, Lieve Verbist, Philippe Moerman, Ignace Vergote
• Journal: Gynecologic oncology (Gynecol Oncol) Vol. 95 Issue 3 Pg. 583-7 (Dec 2004) ISSN: 0090-8258 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15581967 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Receptor, ErbB-2

Topics

• Adenosarcoma (genetics, metabolism)
• Carcinosarcoma (genetics, metabolism)
• Female
• Gene Amplification
• Genes, erbB-2 (genetics)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
• Interphase (genetics)
• Leiomyosarcoma (genetics, metabolism)
• Receptor, ErbB-2 (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Sarcoma (genetics, metabolism)
• Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal (genetics, metabolism)
• Uterine Neoplasms (genetics, metabolism)