Annals of Diagnostic Pathology
Volume 12, Issue 4 , Pages 283-285, August 2008

HER-2 status in gastrointestinal stromal tumor

  • Lisandro Ferreira Lopes, MD
    • ,
  • Carlos E. Bacchi, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Consultoria em Patologia, Rua Major Leonidas Cardoso, 739, Botucatu, SP, Brazil 18602-010. Tel.: +55 14 3815 5989; fax: +55 14 3815 5989.

Consultoria em Patologia, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil Department of Pathology, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil

Abstract 

Human epidermal growth factor receptor–2 (HER-2) encodes for the transmembrane glycoprotein HER-2 that is involved in activation of intracellular signal transduction pathways that control cell growth and differentiation. HER-2 is overexpressed in approximately 20% of patients with breast cancer and has been associated with poorer prognosis. Since 1998, the anti–HER-2 antibody trastuzumab has been used for the treatment of patients with HER-2–positive breast cancers. However, little information is available about the relationship between HER-2 and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. This study's purpose was to determine the HER-2 status in gastrointestinal stromal tumors. We found that all 477 cases included in this study were negative (score 0) by immunohistochemistry using HercepTest, and no HER-2 gene amplification was detected in 71 cases submitted to fluorescence in situ hybridization. These results show that HER-2 may not have any role in gastrointestinal stromal tumor pathogenesis and that the neoplasm may not be suitable for treatment with trastuzumab.

Keywords: HER-2, Gastrointestinal stromal tumor, Immunohistochemistry, HercepTest, Fluorescence in situ hybridization

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S1092-9134(08)00026-9

doi:10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2008.02.007

Annals of Diagnostic Pathology
Volume 12, Issue 4 , Pages 283-285, August 2008

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution