Evaluation of HER2 gene expression status in meningioma by fluorescence in situ hybridization

Abstract

Objective To investigate the correlation between HER2 gene amplification and HER2 protein overexpression. Methods HER2 status in the surgically removed tissues of 80 meningioma cases was evauated by using immunohistochemistry(IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH) meth-ods. Results The percentages of HER2 protein expression and HER2 gene amplification were 32.50% (26/80) and 8.75% (7/80) in 80 patients with meningioma. Among the 80 cases, 10 (12.50%) cases showed HER2 overexpression (+++/++) by IHC and 7 (8.75%) cases showed HER2 amplification by FISH. None case of the 70 cases with low or negative HER2 expression (+ or O) showed HER2 amplifica-tion. Conclusion The correlation between HER2 protein overexpression and HER2 gene amplification is statistically significant. Therefore immunohistochemistry can be regarded as an initial screening method method for HER2 expression status,and then FISH testing should be done as well It is useful for molecular target therapy to detect HER2 expression status in meningioma. Key words: Meningioma; FISH; HER2; Gene amplification