HER2/neu expression in adenoid cystic carcinoma of salivary gland origin: an immunohistochemical study.
BACKGROUND
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a malignant tumor of salivary gland origin, which is characterized by a high rate of local recurrence and distant hematogenous metastasis. Despite aggressive surgical treatment and radiotherapy, the patient's long-term prognosis is dismal. Prompted by recent studies on the amplification of the oncogene HER2/neu in salivary gland tumors, we analyzed the immunohistochemical overexpression of HER2/neu in salivary glands ACC. If the tumor exhibits overexpression of HER2/neu, then treating it with the anti-HER2/neu therapeutic agent, Herceptin (Trastuzumab, Genentech, CA), could be considered.


METHODS
The study comprised of 32 samples of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens. All laboratory procedures and scoring criteria were performed according to currently approved FDA methods.


RESULTS
HER2/neu overexpression was found in only five (16%) cases. Four cases (13%) scored 1+ and one case (3%) scored 2+.


CONCLUSIONS
The low prevalence of HER2/neu overexpression in ACC limits the clinical utility of Herceptin therapy for salivary gland ACC.
Dori
Shai
S
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Vered
Marilena
M
David
Raphael
R
Buchner
Amos
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics*; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000068878:Trastuzumab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004396:Coloring Agents; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab