PMID: 16536311Mar 16, 2006Paper

Evaluation of HER2 gene expression status in breast cancer by fluorescence in-situ hybridization

Zhonghua bing li xue za zhi Chinese journal of pathology
Xuan ZengTong-Hua Liu

Abstract

To deduce the protocol, scoring criteria and interpretive guidelines for assessment of HER2 gene expression status by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) and to compare the results with those obtained by immunohistochemistry. The HercepTest kit from Dako Cytomation was employed for immunohistochemistry. FISH for HER2 gene expression status was performed using PathVysion DNA probe kit on the archival paraffin-embedded sections of breast cancer tissues from 28 Chinese female patients with immunohistochemical staining scores of (3 +), (2 +), (1 +) and 0. Ten of the 12 patients with score (3 +) by immunohistochemistry were positive for HER2 by FISH, with 2 cases being polysomy. Two other cases with FISH-negative were also shown to be polysomy. Seven of the 10 patients with score (2 +) by immunohistochemistry showed HER2 gene amplification, with 1 case being polysomy. Two of the remaining 3 cases, which were FISH-negative, were shown to be polysomy. All the patients with scores (1 +, number = 3 ) or 0 ( number = 3) by immunohistochemistry failed to show amplification. One case of polysomy was noted in either group. Immunohistochemistry is useful as an initial screening tool for HER2 expression status. Because of the obvious di...Continue Reading

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