Gene amplification and protein overexpression of c-erb-b2 in Barrett carcinoma and its precursor lesions.
We examined 39 samples of metaplastic specialized epithelium (SE), 27 of low-grade dysplasia (LGD), 27 of high-grade dysplasia (HGD), and 46 of adenocarcinoma (CA) derived from Barrett esophagus for c-erb-b2 gene amplification using differential polymerase chain reaction and for overexpression of c-erb-b2 protein using immunohistochemical analysis. Amplification of the c-erb-b2 gene was as follows: SE, 0.0%; LGD, 0.0%; HGD, 11.1%; and CA, 13.6%; and protein overexpression was as follows: SE, 0.0%; LGD, 7.4%; HGD, 18.5%; and CA, 21.7%. In 8 (89%) of 9 samples, c-erb-b2 gene amplification correlated with protein overexpression. The reverse was true in 8 (47%) of 17 samples: c-erb-b2 protein overexpression was proved with simultaneous gene amplification. Amplification of c-erb-b2 is a late event in the carcinogenesis of Barrett esophagus. In contrast, protein overexpression appears more often and earlier Besides gene amplification, other mechanisms to induce protein overexpression must exist.
Department of Pathology, University of Düsseldorf, Germany.
Helene
H
Geddert
Mohamed
M
Zeriouh
Marietta
M
Wolter
Joachim W
JW
Heise
Helmut E
HE
Gabbert
Mario
M
Sarbia
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016629:Esophagectomy; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases