AIMS: To investigate whether alterations of the HER2 gene occur more frequently in histologically unfavourable subtypes of invasive breast cancer. METHODS: The study was composed of nine invasive apocrine, six lipid-rich, 12 glycogen-rich, 11 micropapillary and 33 pleomorphic lobular breast carcinomas. Lymph node involvement was represented in all subgroups. HER2 status was confirmed in all cases by using immunohistochemistry (CB11, Herceptest) and fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) analysis (Vysis). RESULTS: Micropapillary and apocrine carcinomas showed the highest rate of protein overexpression (72% and 66%) and gene amplification (45% and 44%). Protein overexpression was common in poorly differentiated pleomorphic lobular carcinomas (56%); however, this subgroup failed to show an increased number of gene copies by FISH (31%). The incidence of HER2 overexpression (33% and 50%, respectively) and gene amplification (25% and 33%, respectively) among glycogen-rich and lipid-rich carcinomas was not higher than that observed in breast cancer generally. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that preferential involvement of the HER2 gene in micropapillary and apocrine breast carcinomas may contribute to their aggressive behaviour.
AIMS: To investigate whether alterations of the HER2 gene occur more frequently in histologically unfavourable subtypes of invasive breast cancer. METHODS: The study was composed of nine invasive apocrine, six lipid-rich, 12 glycogen-rich, 11 micropapillary and 33 pleomorphic lobular breast carcinomas. Lymph node involvement was represented in all subgroups. HER2 status was confirmed in all cases by using immunohistochemistry (CB11, Herceptest) and fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) analysis (Vysis). RESULTS:Micropapillary and apocrine carcinomas showed the highest rate of protein overexpression (72% and 66%) and gene amplification (45% and 44%). Protein overexpression was common in poorly differentiated pleomorphic lobular carcinomas (56%); however, this subgroup failed to show an increased number of gene copies by FISH (31%). The incidence of HER2 overexpression (33% and 50%, respectively) and gene amplification (25% and 33%, respectively) among glycogen-rich and lipid-rich carcinomas was not higher than that observed in breast cancer generally. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that preferential involvement of the HER2 gene in micropapillary and apocrine breast carcinomas may contribute to their aggressive behaviour.
Authors: Rachel L Stewart; Justin E Caron; Evin H Gulbahce; Rachel E Factor; Katherine B Geiersbach; Erinn Downs-Kelly Journal: Mod Pathol Date: 2017-07-28 Impact factor: 7.842
Authors: H J Huang; P Neven; M Drijkoningen; R Paridaens; H Wildiers; E Van Limbergen; P Berteloot; F Amant; I Vergote; M R Christiaens Journal: J Clin Pathol Date: 2005-06 Impact factor: 3.411
Authors: Maria D Corte; Juan A Rodil; Julio Vázquez; Lucia García; Juan C Rodríguez; Miguel Bongera; José C Fernández; Luis O González; Ma Luz Lamelas; Maite Allende; José L García-Muñiz; Antonio Fueyo; Francisco J Vizoso Journal: J Cancer Res Clin Oncol Date: 2005-11-01 Impact factor: 4.553