HER-2/neu expression in germ cell tumours.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the rate of HER-2/neu positivity of germ cell tumours by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH).


METHODS
Ninety six archival, paraffin wax embedded pathology specimens were chosen from four groups of germ cell tumours. IHC for HER-2/neu was performed with the HercepTest kit; FISH analysis was performed with the INFORM assay and confirmed with a centromere 17 probe.


RESULTS
Twenty two of 96 specimens overexpressed the HER-2/neu protein when measured by IHC. Only three specimens showed HER-2/neu gene amplification by FISH. There was no correlation between the results obtained by IHC and FISH.


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of concordance between IHC and FISH makes it unlikely that overexpression of the HER-2/neu protein in germ cell tumours is of prognostic or therapeutic relevance. Because of the low rate of HER-2/neu gene amplification in germ cell tumours, a clinical trial of trastuzumab treatment in patients with germ cell tumours is not warranted.
Division of Hematology and Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, USA. shsoule@iupui.edu
S
S
Soule
L
L
Baldridge
K
K
Kirkpatrick
L
L
Cheng
J L
JL
Gilbert
L R
LR
Smith
V C
VC
Thurston
G H
GH
Vance
L
L
Einhorn
K
K
Miller
D015870:Gene Expression; D018734:Genes, erbB-2; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases