Abstract
Determination of HER-2/neu status in patients with breast carcinoma is important in selecting the patients who may benefit from treatment with the gene-based cancer drug trastuzumab (Herceptin). The HER-2/neu-overexpressing tumors often lack hormone receptors and therefore are not qualified for tamoxifen therapy. Most laboratories perform immunohistochemistry as the first step for assessment of the HER-2/neu protein expression. Because of inconsistency in tissue fixation and processing and interobservor variability, a definite determination of HER-2/neu status may be problematic in some cases. Fluorescence In Situ hybridization currently is recommended as the second step in further evaluation of borderline cases. In this study, we analyzed the status of HER-2/neu gene using a tissue microarray construct and a chromogenic In Situ hybridization method as an alternative to fluorescence. We find that chromogenic in sitcl hybridization is a reliable method for assessment of HER-2/neu gene status with good correlation with HER-2/neu protein expression using immunohistochemistry. (The J Histotechnol 28: 11, 2005)Submitted: August 3 1,2004; Accepted: November 24,2004
Published Version
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