Expression of the HER-2/neu proto-oncogene in serous ovarian neoplasms.
BACKGROUND
It is unclear whether HER-2/neu proto-oncogene expression in ovarian epithelial neoplasms is related to prognosis.


METHODS
The authors performed immunohistochemical stains on 20 serous tumors of low malignant potential (STLMP) in Stages I and II and 19 serious carcinomas in the same stages. They used three different commercial antibodies to make comparisons.


RESULTS
Two of four Stage I STLMP in patients who experienced disease progression showed positive staining for the gene product, whereas none of seven Stage I nonprogressive STLMP showed positive staining. Five of the six Stage III nonprogressive STLMP showed positive staining, whereas none of three Stage III STLMP that progressed showed positive staining. Three carcinomas (one Stage I and two Stage III) also showed positive staining.


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of HER-2/neu may be associated with high stage in serous ovarian neoplasms, but it is not likely to identify the small fraction of patients with STLMP who will experience disease progression.
Department of Gynecologic and Breast Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, D.C. 20306-6000.
J D
JD
Seidman
D M
DM
Frisman
H J
HJ
Norris
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D011379:Prognosis; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D013997:Time Factors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human