Lack of HER-2/neu overexpression in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
OBJECTIVE
The HER-2/neu oncogene is overexpressed in many types of cancer and especially in 25% to 30% of breast cancers. Single reports mention HER-2/neu positivity in hematological malignancies like Hodgkins's disease and even diffuse large-cell lymphoma.


OBJECTIVE
To test for HER-2/neu overexpression in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and the possible role of the recombinant monoclonal anti-HER-2/neu antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin) in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.


METHODS
Serum samples from 87 consecutive unselected patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were retrospectively retrieved from a serum bank and tested for the shed antigen of HER-2/neu using the Oncogene Sciences ELISA assay (Cambridge, MA, USA). From those lymphoma patients, the paraffin-embedded lymph-node specimens of 25 cases with diffuse large-cell lymphoma were stained with the HER-2/neu DAKO HercepTest.


RESULTS
In 87 lymphoma patients, the serum level of HER-2/neu ranged from 3.6 to 244.1 ng/ml (median 8.0 ng/ml). Only 2 patients showed a marginal or increased HER-2/neu level with 15 ng/ml (which is the upper limit of normal) and 244.1 ng/ml, respectively. No patient with diffuse large-cell lymphoma showed HER-2/neu overexpression by immunhistochemistry of the lymph node. The paraffin block of the one patient with a very high HER-2/neu serum level was also stained for HER-2/neu overexpression. In this patient, suffering from a high-grade T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, no staining could be found.


CONCLUSIONS
HER-2/neu is not overexpressed in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and especially not in diffuse large-cell lymphoma, using a standardized immunochemistry technique with complementary serum testing. Thus, specific anti-HER-2/neu-targeted therapy should play no role in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Lüftner
Diana
D
Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II Schwerpunkt Onkologie und Hämatologie Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité, Campus Mitte, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Schumannstr 20-21, 10117 Berlin, Germany. diana.lueftner@rz.huberlin.de
Genvresse
Isabelle
I
Geppert
Rita
R
Kaufmann
Olaf
O
Dietel
Manfred
M
Possinger
Kurt
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood
D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases