Determination of HER-2/neu Gene Amplification in Breast Cancer Using Real-Time Quantitative PCR and Comparison with Immunohistochemical and Chromogenic in-situ Hybridization Results

HER-2/neu status is used as a marker for Herceptin\® therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) in determining the HER-2/neu amplification status of breast cancer, by comparing qPCR, CISH, and chromogenic in-situ hybridization (CISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) results from the same samples. Thirty breast carcinomas were examined using the three methods. Twenty-two tumors were 2+ or 3+ positive with IHC, while eight samples were either completely negative or 1+. Fifteen positive and twelve negative cases were detected by both CISH and qPCR, which led to similar results. Comparison of CISH and qPCR together with IHC showed that qPCR was more sensitive in detecting HER-2/neu gene amplification in tumors scored as 2+ with IHC. In conclusion, qPCR may serve as useful alternative to CISH for detecting HER-2/neu gene amplification in breast-cancer patients. (Thai Cancer J 2010;30:104-111)

Expression of Aromatase and Estrogen Receptors in Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma of Uterus with Microarray Technique

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND: Endometrioid adenocarcinoma is a hormonal dependent cancer influenced by estrogen. Aromatase enzyme takes part in estrogen production and should be correlated with proliferation of this cancer. OBJECTIVE: To discern aromatase expression in endometrioid adenocarcinoma and correlation with presence of estrogen receptor. RESEARCH DESIGN: Analytic study. SETTING: Institute of Pathology, Department of Medical Services. MATERIALS and METHOD: Paraffin blocks of twenty four cases diagnosed as endometrioid adenocarcinoma were studied immunohistochemically for estrogen receptors (ER) and aromatase expression using tissue microarrays technique (TMA). Software data analysis was done for correlation coefficient to determine the relationship between these factors with significant level at 0.01. RESULTS: The tumor profile showed all tumors were in stage 1B and 1C with grading 1-3. Aromatase expression was present in 16 cases and statistically correlated with 19 cases displaying estrogen receptors (p \< 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Aromatase expression presents in endometrioid adenocarcinoma and shows good correlation with estrogen receptor expression. Estrogen receptor study is a main choice in selecting therapeutic agents.