Contribution of HER-2/neu oncogene expression to tumor grade and DNA content analysis in the prediction of prostatic carcinoma metastasis.
BACKGROUND
Recent advances in the early detection of prostatic adenocarcinoma have stimulated interest in the development of techniques for determining metastatic potential.


METHODS
One hundred cases of adenocarcinoma, including 66 biopsy and radical prostatectomy specimens; 20 biopsies alone; and 14 transurethral resection specimens, were evaluated for Gleason tumor grade, DNA content and HER-2/neu expression. DNA content was determined on Feulgen-stained touch preparations and tissue sections (18 cases) or tissue sections alone. HER-2/neu expression level was determined by image-analysis-assisted quantitative immunocytochemistry.


RESULTS
Tumor grade and ploidy status were independent significant predictors of metastasis. HER-2/neu overexpression was found in 16 (16%) of the 100 cases and significantly correlated with high-tumor grade and aneuploid status, but was not of independent value in the prediction of metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
HER-2/neu overexpression is not uncommon in prostatic adenocarcinoma and is associated with high-tumor grade, abnormal DNA content, and distant metastasis. Tumor grade and DNA ploidy values are of the greatest value in determining the presence of metastasis.
Ross
J S
JS
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical College, New York 12208.
Nazeer
T
T
Church
K
K
Amato
C
C
Figge
H
H
Rifkin
M D
MD
Fisher
H A
HA
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000368:Aged; D000782:Aneuploidy; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009857:Oncogenes; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases