[Evaluation of her-2/neu amplification/overexpression in OSCC with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry].
BACKGROUND
The human epidermal growth factor receptor ( her-2/ neu) protooncogene encodes a membrane tyrosine kinase with homology to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Amplification and protein overexpression have been identified in various solid tumors and a significant association with poor clinical outcome was reported. This investigation was performed to assess the frequency of her-2/ neu overexpression and to compare these results with clinical outcome in OSCC.


METHODS
Archival biopsy specimens from 97 untreated OSCCs were evaluated using a polyclonal antibody A0485 (Dako). Only membrane staining intensity and pattern were evaluated according to the guidelines of the clinical trial assay recommendations (0-3+) for breast carcinoma. Score 0 and 1+ were interpreted as negative for HER-2/NEU protein overexpression and 2+ and 3+ as positive. FISH analysis with directly labeled probes for her-2/ neu and chromosome 17 was performed on the same specimens. The ratio between her-2/ neu and chromosome 17 signals was calculated after selection of 20-40 non-overlapping tumor cells. The tumor was considered amplified if the ratio was above 2.


RESULTS
In 11 out of 97 biopsies (11.3%) membranous overexpression (score 2+ and 3+) of her-2/ neu was shown by immunohistochemistry. FISH analysis in 42 cases revealed amplification in 14 cases. Concordance between immunohistochemistry and FISH was found in 86%. Clinical-pathological data as well as survival revealed no correlation with her-2/ neu status.


CONCLUSIONS
In spite of missing correlation between survival and her-2/ neu overexpression in our study, the predictive value of the her-2/ neu protooncogene in adjuvant therapy in OSCC needs further investigation.
Scheer
M
M
Klinik und Poliklinik für Mund-, Kiefer- und Plastische Gesichtschirurgie, Universität zu Köln, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9, 50935, Köln, m.scheer@uni-koeln.de
Prange
W
W
Petmecky
K
K
Schirmacher
P
P
Zöller
J E
JE
Kübler
A C
AC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D002886:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification / Q000235:genetics*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D016019:Survival Analysis
D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases