Her-2/neu expression in testicular cancer--a retrospective analysis in 57 cases.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate her-2/neu expression in testicular germ cell tumors (GCT).


METHODS
In patients with primary GCT her-2/neu expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Furthermore, gene amplification was analyzed by chromogene in situ hybridization (CISH). For interpretation, the most recent Asco Guidelines were used.


RESULTS
The expression patterns were analyzed according to the histologic subtype. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated a weak (score 1) to moderate expression (score 2) in 1% of GCT; none of the GCT revealed a score 3 expression profile. By CISH analysis, we did not observe any gene amplification in the 57 GCT.


CONCLUSIONS
The analysis of her-2/neu expression in primary testicular cancer is of no therapeutic relevance. However, for the future we will explore the expression of her-2/neu in residual masses after chemotherapy to assess the role of targeted therapy in chemoresistant metastases.
Department of Urology, RWTH University of Aachen, Weiden, Germany. dpfister@ukaachen.de
D
D
Pfister
S
S
Richter
D
D
Thüer
J
J
Giedl
A
A
Heidenreich
T
T
Klotz
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015870:Gene Expression; D018734:Genes, erbB-2; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases