Evaluation of gene amplification and protein expression of HER-2/neu in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma using Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry
2009

HER-2/neu in Esophageal Cancer

Sample size: 199 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Sato-Kuwabara Yukie, Neves José I, Fregnani José HTG, Sallum Rubens A, Soares Fernando A

Primary Institution: Hospital AC Camargo

Hypothesis

The study aims to verify the presence of HER-2/neu gene amplification using FISH and correlate the results with immunohistochemical expression and clinical-pathological findings.

Conclusion

HER-2/neu gene amplification is an important prognostic indicator in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Supporting Evidence

  • 63.2% of cases were negative for c-erbB-2 expression.
  • 19.1% of cases showed HER-2/neu gene amplification.
  • All cases with gene amplification were positive (3+) by immunohistochemistry.

Takeaway

This study looked at a type of cancer called esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and found that a specific gene, HER-2/neu, can help predict how well patients will do.

Methodology

The study evaluated 199 ESCC cases using Tissue Microarray (TMA) technique, FISH for gene amplification, and immunohistochemistry for protein expression.

Limitations

The study had a low number of cases suitable for FISH analysis and variability in previous studies on HER-2/neu amplification.

Participant Demographics

{"gender":{"male":161,"female":38},"ethnicity":{"Caucasian":148,"Not Caucasian":42,"No data available":9},"age":{"mean":57,"range":"37-80"}}

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.003

Statistical Significance

p = 0.003

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2407-9-6

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication