Anil Potti1, Rachel Hille, Michael Koch. 1. Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology and Department of Internal Medicine, University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Fargo, ND 58102, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: HER-2/neu onco-protein is increasingly being recognized as a target for therapy in solid tumors, but data on its role in malignant melanoma is currently limited. Our study objective was to determine a relationship, if any, between HER-2/neu overexpression and malignant melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Overexpression of HER-2/neu was evaluated in patients with malignant melanoma by using immunchistochemistry (DAKO Hercep test) in 202 archival tissue specimens. RESULTS: Between 1991 and 2001, 202 subjects [109 males; (54%) and 93 females; (46%)] with malignant melanoma were studied. Interestingly, only 2 of the 202 patients (0.9%) with biopsy-proven malignant melanoma revealed HER-2/neu overexpression. CONCLUSION: The results of our large study indicate that the HER-2/neu onco-protein neither has a role in melanogenesis nor is a potential target for clinical trials with monoclonal antibody therapy. Thus, there is no role for HER-2/neu testing in patients with malignant melanoma.
BACKGROUND:HER-2/neu onco-protein is increasingly being recognized as a target for therapy in solid tumors, but data on its role in malignant melanoma is currently limited. Our study objective was to determine a relationship, if any, between HER-2/neu overexpression and malignant melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Overexpression of HER-2/neu was evaluated in patients with malignant melanoma by using immunchistochemistry (DAKO Hercep test) in 202 archival tissue specimens. RESULTS: Between 1991 and 2001, 202 subjects [109 males; (54%) and 93 females; (46%)] with malignant melanoma were studied. Interestingly, only 2 of the 202 patients (0.9%) with biopsy-proven malignant melanoma revealed HER-2/neu overexpression. CONCLUSION: The results of our large study indicate that the HER-2/neu onco-protein neither has a role in melanogenesis nor is a potential target for clinical trials with monoclonal antibody therapy. Thus, there is no role for HER-2/neu testing in patients with malignant melanoma.
Authors: I Satzger; T Schaefer; U Kuettler; V Broecker; B Voelker; H Ostertag; A Kapp; R Gutzmer Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2008-11-18 Impact factor: 7.640