Additional Her 2/neu gene copies in patients with Sézary syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Her 2/neu gene amplification has been reported in several types of cancer. Monoclonal antibodies against the Her 2/neu receptor are used as a treatment in e.g. metastatic breast cancer.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of additional Her 2/neu gene copies in relations to the number of chromosome 17 centromeres of patients with Sézary syndrome.


METHODS
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with probes specific for the Her 2/neu gene locus and the centromere of chromosome 17 was performed on nuclei from peripheral blood cells of 9 patients with Sézary syndrome. For analysis of Her 2/neu protein expression immunostaining was performed. In addition, FISH was used to analyze distribution of typical lymphocytes on cryo-cut sections of affected skin of two patients.


RESULTS
7/9 cases showed additional Her 2/neu gene copies in relation to the number of chromosome 17 centromeres. 4/5 cases with additional Her 2/neu gene copies in which immunostaining was performed expressed Her 2/neu protein. On cryo-cut sections atypical lymphocytes with additional Her 2/neu gene copies were detected in the dermis as well as in the epidermis of affected skin.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that Her 2/neu might be involved in the pathogenesis of Sézary syndrome and that Her 2/neu might be a promising target for antitumor therapy in a subgroup of patients.
Utikal
Jochen
J
Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany. Jochen.Utikal@haut.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
Poenitz
Nina
N
Gratchev
Alexei
A
Klemke
Claus-Detlev
CD
Nashan
Dorothea
D
Tüting
Thomas
T
Goerdt
Sergij
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002503:Centromere / Q000235:genetics*; D002886:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification / Q000235:genetics*; D018734:Genes, erbB-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012751:Sezary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology