title: Systematic assessment of HER2/neu in gynecologic neoplasms, an institutional experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HER2/neu overexpression and/or amplification has been widely studied in a number of solid tumors, primarily in the breast. In gynecologic neoplasms, determination of HER2/neu status has not been well studied as a predictive biomarker in anti-HER2/neu treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We systematically evaluated the HER2/neu reactions by immunohistochemistry and fluorescent in situ hybridization in malignant gynecologic neoplasms as experienced in our institution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The HER2/neu overexpression or amplification occurred in 8 % of the cancers of the gynecological organs in our series. Majority of the HER2/neu overexpression and/or amplification occurred in clear cell (27 %) and serous (11 %) carcinomas. HER2/neu positivity was also seen in undifferentiated as well as in mixed clear cell and serous carcinomas. Discordant IHC and FISH results (positive by FISH but not IHC) was seen in 2 cases. Majority of the HER2/neu overexpression and/or amplification occurs in the endometrium rather than the ovary. Heterogeneity of the HER2/neu by IHC staining was in < 2 % of the tumors in our series.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend the HER2/neu studies on Müllerian carcinomas of clear cell, serous, and undifferentiated types, particularly when they arise in the endometrium. Since there are some discordant IHC/FISH results, we also propose performing the HER2/neu testing by FISH when the IHC score is less than 3 + .
authors: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, BOX 951732, 1P-241 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1732, USA.
authors: Jennifer S
authors: JS
authors: Woo
authors: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, BOX 951732, 1P-241 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1732, USA.
authors: Sophia K
authors: SK
authors: Apple
authors: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, BOX 951732, 1P-241 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1732, USA.
authors: Peggy S
authors: PS
authors: Sullivan
authors: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, BOX 951732, 1P-241 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1732, USA.
authors: Jian-Yu
authors: JY
authors: Rao
authors: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, BOX 951732, 1P-241 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1732, USA.|Department of Pathology and Laboratory Science, Olive View Medical Center, Sylmar, CA, 91342, USA.
authors: Nora
authors: N
authors: Ostrzega
authors: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, BOX 951732, 1P-241 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1732, USA. nmoatamed@mednet.ucla.edu.
authors: Neda A
authors: NA
authors: Moatamed
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; C508053:ERBB2 protein, human
keywords: Endometrium; FISH; HER2/neu; Immunohistochemistry; Müllerian; Ovary