Comparative analysis of c-erbB-2 (HER-2/neu) in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue: does over-expression exist? And what is its correlation with traditional diagnostic parameters?
OBJECTIVE
Over-expression of the proto-oncogene c-erbB-2 (HER-2/neu) has been shown to be a prognostic marker in many kinds of cancer, whereas conflicting data exist about the prevalence of HER-2/neu over-expression in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue. The status of Her-2/neu was evaluated in a series of SCC of the tongue to verify the frequency of over-expression of HER-2/neu and evaluate the correlation with traditional diagnostic parameters of this neoplasm.


METHODS
Fourty patients with SCC of the tongue were investigated for over-expression of the protein through immunohistochemistry using CB11 antibody, the Hercep Test kit and FISH.


RESULTS
Data obtained using the Hercep Test differ from published reports concerning the over-expression of Her-2/neu and there was no correlation between levels of expression of Her-2/neu and other clinico-pathological and/or prognostic parameters. Of the 40 specimens, using CB11 we obtained results in line with published reports; however, with the Hercep Test we found only 1 positive case (2.5%) (score 3+).


CONCLUSIONS
These data, confirmed by FISH, suggest that Her-2/neu is not a suitable marker that could play a primary role in the clinical-therapeutic management of SCC of the tongue.
Angiero
Francesca
F
Institute of Pathological Anatomy, Oral Pathology Section, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. f.angiero@teos.it
Sordo
Rachele Del
RD
Dessy
Enrico
E
Rossi
Elisa
E
Berenzi
Angiola
A
Stefani
Michele
M
Sidoni
Angelo
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; C508053:ERBB2 protein, human