[Evaluation on parallel HER-2 testing using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry in breast cancer tissues].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the application of the immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in detecting the amplification and the expression of HER-2 gene in the breast cancer patients.

METHODS:

Sixty-six cases of paraffin-embeded breast cancer samples with overexpression, low or no expression of HER-2 gene as detected by IHC were analyzed for HER-2 gene amplification using FISH.

RESULTS:

Among the 42 samples with HER-2 gene overexpression (3+/2+) detected by IHC, 31 showed positive HER-2 gene amplification and 11 showed negative HER-2 gene amplification in FISH. In the 24 samples with low or no HER-2 gene expression (1+/-) detected by IHC, no HER-2 gene amplification was detected by FISH. The results of the two testing methods showed a good consistency with the kappa coefficient of 0.672 (P<0.001). We also found that the 17 chromosome polysomy in 42% of the samples and the incidence of 17 polysomy was significantly higher in the HER-2 gene overexpression (3+/2+) group than in low or no HER-2 gene expression (1+/-) group (chi(2)=4.688, P=0.03).

CONCLUSION:

IHC can be used as a screening method for detecting HER-2 gene amplification, and FISH should be performed in cases of HER-2 gene overexpression (3+/2+) as detected by IHC.

• Authors: Xiao-Ying Pan, Hong-Yi Gao, Jia-Li Zhang, Wen-Ting Fu, Shu Liu
• Journal: Nan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University (Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao) Vol. 29 Issue 11 Pg. 2225-7 (Nov 2009) ISSN: 1673-4254 [Print] China
• PMID: 19923073 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Evaluation Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• ERBB2 protein, human
• Receptor, ErbB-2

Topics

• Breast Neoplasms (genetics, metabolism)
• Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast (genetics, metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
• Receptor, ErbB-2 (analysis, genetics)