HER-2/neu expression in germ cell tumours. Issue 9 (1st September 2002)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Soule, S; Baldridge, L; Kirkpatrick, K; Cheng, L; Gilbert, J L; Smith, L R; Thurston, V C; Vance, G H; Einhorn, L; Miller, K
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical pathology. Volume 55:Issue 9(2002)
• Page Start: 656
• Page End: 658
• Publication Date: 2002-09-01
• Subjects: HER-2/neu -- germ cell tumours; FISH, fluorescence in situ hybridisation -- IHC, immunohistochemistry -- PCRPLND, post chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node resections with germ cell carcinoma in the resected specimen; Pathology -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; 616.0705
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.55.9.656
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9746

Abstract

Abstract : Aims: To determine the rate of HER-2/neu positivity of germ cell tumours by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). Patients/Methods: Ninety six archival, paraffin wax embedded pathology specimens were chosen from four groups of germ cell tumours. IHC for HER-2/neu was performed with the HercepTest kit; FISH analysis was performed with the INFORM assay and confirmed with a centromere 17 probe. Results: Twenty two of 96 specimens overexpressed the HER-2/neu protein when measured by IHC. Only three specimens showed HER-2/neu gene amplification by FISH. There was no correlation between the results obtained by IHC and FISH. Conclusions: The lack of concordance between IHC and FISH makes it unlikely that overexpression of the HER-2/neu protein in germ cell tumours is of prognostic or therapeutic relevance. Because of the low rate of HER-2/neu gene amplification in germ cell tumours, a clinical trial of trastuzumab treatment in patients with germ cell tumours is not warranted.