Detection of HER2/neu Oncogene by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization and the Clinical Significance in Breast Cancer

Objective To detect the expression of c-erbB2 protein by immunohistochemistry and HER2 gene amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in breast cancer,and to evaluate their clinical significance. Methods The expression of c-erbB2 protein and HER2 gene amplification in 42 cases of breast cancer were detected by immunohistochemical staining and FISH,respectively. Results Of 42 cases,the expression of c-erbB2 protein were strongly positive in 22 cases (52.38%) and positive in 20 cases (47.62%),and HER2 gene amplification existed in 20 cases (47.62%). No significant difference was found in the results between these 2 methods,and the goodness of fit of these 2 methods was not very well (k =0.430,P 0.05). Conclusion The immunohistochemistry can be used in initial screening of whether select Herceptin in clinical therapy or not. In the cases with positive or strongly positive expression of c-erbB2,HER2 gene amplication should be detected.