Lack of HER-2/neu expression in Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
OBJECTIVE
Overexpression of HER-2/neu oncoprotein, a tyrosine kinase receptor, occurs in a variety of human cancers and has been shown to play a critical role in their development. This overexpression is usually associated with poor clinical outcome. The significance of HER-2/neu in lymphomas is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of HER-2/neu in the malignant lymphomas: non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphomas.


METHODS
We studied formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from 50 patients with lymphoma. Forty-two specimens were from patients with various types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and 8 were from patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. HER-2/neu expression was examined by an immunohistochemical technique using the HercepTest.


RESULTS
None of the specimens demonstrated overexpression or even any expression of HER-2/neu. Reactive plasma cells showed cytoplasmic staining, which was not found in malignant plasma cells from patients with multiple myeloma.


CONCLUSIONS
Non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphomas do not express the HER-2/neu oncoprotein. This finding suggests that HER-2/neu does not play a role in these diseases.
Bairey
Osnat
O
Institutes of Hematology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva, Israel. obairey@post.tau.ac.il
Pazgal
Idit
I
Okon
Elimelech
E
Shaklai
Matityahu
M
Morgenshtern
Sarah
S
D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases