INTRODUCTION: The human epidermal growth factor receptor ( her-2/ neu) protooncogene encodes a membrane tyrosine kinase with homology to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Amplification and protein overexpression have been identified in various solid tumors and a significant association with poor clinical outcome was reported. This investigation was performed to assess the frequency of her-2/ neu overexpression and to compare these results with clinical outcome in OSCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Archival biopsy specimens from 97 untreated OSCCs were evaluated using a polyclonal antibody A0485 (Dako). Only membrane staining intensity and pattern were evaluated according to the guidelines of the clinical trial assay recommendations (0-3+) for breast carcinoma. Score 0 and 1+ were interpreted as negative for HER-2/NEU protein overexpression and 2+ and 3+ as positive. FISH analysis with directly labeled probes for her-2/ neu and chromosome 17 was performed on the same specimens. The ratio between her-2/ neu and chromosome 17 signals was calculated after selection of 20-40 non-overlapping tumor cells. The tumor was considered amplified if the ratio was above 2. RESULTS: In 11 out of 97 biopsies (11.3%) membranous overexpression (score 2+ and 3+) of her-2/ neu was shown by immunohistochemistry. FISH analysis in 42 cases revealed amplification in 14 cases. Concordance between immunohistochemistry and FISH was found in 86%. Clinical-pathological data as well as survival revealed no correlation with her-2/ neu status. DISCUSSION: In spite of missing correlation between survival and her-2/ neu overexpression in our study, the predictive value of the her-2/ neu protooncogene in adjuvant therapy in OSCC needs further investigation.
INTRODUCTION: The humanepidermal growth factor receptor ( her-2/ neu) protooncogene encodes a membrane tyrosine kinase with homology to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Amplification and protein overexpression have been identified in various solid tumors and a significant association with poor clinical outcome was reported. This investigation was performed to assess the frequency of her-2/ neu overexpression and to compare these results with clinical outcome in OSCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Archival biopsy specimens from 97 untreated OSCCs were evaluated using a polyclonal antibody A0485 (Dako). Only membrane staining intensity and pattern were evaluated according to the guidelines of the clinical trial assay recommendations (0-3+) for breast carcinoma. Score 0 and 1+ were interpreted as negative for HER-2/NEU protein overexpression and 2+ and 3+ as positive. FISH analysis with directly labeled probes for her-2/ neu and chromosome 17 was performed on the same specimens. The ratio between her-2/ neu and chromosome 17 signals was calculated after selection of 20-40 non-overlapping tumor cells. The tumor was considered amplified if the ratio was above 2. RESULTS: In 11 out of 97 biopsies (11.3%) membranous overexpression (score 2+ and 3+) of her-2/ neu was shown by immunohistochemistry. FISH analysis in 42 cases revealed amplification in 14 cases. Concordance between immunohistochemistry and FISH was found in 86%. Clinical-pathological data as well as survival revealed no correlation with her-2/ neu status. DISCUSSION: In spite of missing correlation between survival and her-2/ neu overexpression in our study, the predictive value of the her-2/ neu protooncogene in adjuvant therapy in OSCC needs further investigation.
Authors: Atif J Khan; Bonnie L King; Benjamin D Smith; Grace L Smith; Michael P DiGiovanna; Darryl Carter; Bruce G Haffty Journal: Clin Cancer Res Date: 2002-02 Impact factor: 12.531
Authors: C Mohr; W Bohndorf; J Carstens; F Härle; J E Hausamen; H Hirche; H Kimmig; J Kutzner; J Mühling; J Reuther Journal: Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg Date: 1994-06 Impact factor: 2.789
Authors: R N Beckhardt; N Kiyokawa; L Xi; T J Liu; M C Hung; A K el-Naggar; H Z Zhang; G L Clayman Journal: Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 1995-11
Authors: J M Craven; Z P Pavelic; P J Stambrook; L Pavelic; M Gapany; D J Kelley; S Gapany; J L Gluckman Journal: Anticancer Res Date: 1992 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 2.480