HER-2/neu expression in germ cell tumours

Aims: To determine the rate of HER-2/neu positivity of germ cell tumours by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). Patients/Methods: Ninety six archival, paraffin wax embedded pathology specimens were chosen from four groups of germ cell tumours. IHC for HER-2/n...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of clinical pathology 2002-09, Vol.55 (9), p.656-658
Main Authors: Soule, S, Baldridge, L, Kirkpatrick, K, Cheng, L, Gilbert, J L, Smith, L R, Thurston, V C, Vance, G H, Einhorn, L, Miller, K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
FISH
fluorescence in situ hybridisation
Gene Expression
Genes, erbB-2
germ cell tumours
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
HER-2/neu
Humans
IHC
immunohistochemistry
In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
Lymphatic Metastasis
Male
Male genital diseases
Mediastinal Neoplasms - genetics
Mediastinal Neoplasms - metabolism
Medical sciences
Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal - genetics
Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal - metabolism
Original
PCRPLND
Pneumology
post chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node resections with germ cell carcinoma in the resected specimen
Receptor, ErbB-2 - metabolism
Retroperitoneal Space
Testicular Neoplasms - genetics
Testicular Neoplasms - metabolism
Tumors
Tumors of the respiratory system and mediastinum
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Summary:Aims: To determine the rate of HER-2/neu positivity of germ cell tumours by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). Patients/Methods: Ninety six archival, paraffin wax embedded pathology specimens were chosen from four groups of germ cell tumours. IHC for HER-2/neu was performed with the HercepTest kit; FISH analysis was performed with the INFORM assay and confirmed with a centromere 17 probe. Results: Twenty two of 96 specimens overexpressed the HER-2/neu protein when measured by IHC. Only three specimens showed HER-2/neu gene amplification by FISH. There was no correlation between the results obtained by IHC and FISH. Conclusions: The lack of concordance between IHC and FISH makes it unlikely that overexpression of the HER-2/neu protein in germ cell tumours is of prognostic or therapeutic relevance. Because of the low rate of HER-2/neu gene amplification in germ cell tumours, a clinical trial of trastuzumab treatment in patients with germ cell tumours is not warranted.
ISSN:0021-9746
1472-4146
DOI:10.1136/jcp.55.9.656