HER-2/neu expression in archival non-small cell lung carcinomas using FDA-approved Hercep test.
HER-2/neu is a 185 kDa glycoprotein related to the epidermal growth factor receptor. Overexpressed in 25-30% of primary breast carcinomas, HER-2/neu is associated with a poor clinical outcome. Recently the FDA approved an antibody to HER-2/neu, trastuzumab (Herceptin), for the treatment of HER-2/neu overexpressing metastatic breast cancers. Relatively little is known about HER-2/neu status and lung cancers. We reasoned that if HER-2/neu status could be ascertained in non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs), and a clinical correlation can be established, a rationale for the use of Herceptin in this tumor type could be established. Using a FDA-approved standardized diagnostic kit, HercepTest, for detection of HER-2/neu in clinical specimens, we examined the expression of HER-2/neu in NSCLCs in archival paraffin-embedded specimens (N = 81). In normal epithelium, HER-2/neu expression was not detected in a majority of samples (74/81). HER-2/neu overexpression was detected in 27% of the tumors of different histological types including adenocarcinomas, large cell carcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas. Poor to moderately differentiated, but not well differentiated tumors showed overexpression of HER-2/neu. The specificity of HercepTest was further increased (from 27% to 21%) when the expression in the few normal tissues was subtracted from the tumor score. HER-2/neu may offer an attractive predictive and prognostic factor for NSCLC.
Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and Biotechnology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton 33431, USA.
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D
Scheurle
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Jahanzeb
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RS
Aronsohn
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L
Watzek
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R
Narayanan
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018287:Carcinoma, Large Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D018734:Genes, erbB-2; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000068878:Trastuzumab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab