Abstract:
Aim: The molecular relationships of protein overexpression and HER-2/neu gene amplification in lung cancers are not clearly
defined. The aim of the study is to evaluate HER-2/neu changes in non-small cell lung cancer with in situ hybridization and
immunohistochemistry, to compare the effectiveness of both methods and to examine the influence of HER-2/neu gene and protein
level alterations on prognosis.
Material and Methods: HER-2/neu alterations were analyzed with fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry in
24 patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
Results: Of 24 patients, 13 (54%) were found immunohistochemistry (IHC) positive, on the other hand 24 (100%) were found
fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) negative. Balanced trisomy was detected in 23 out of FISH negative cases and balanced
quadrisomy was detected in one case. Our study has revealed that overexpression of HER-2/neu protein is not associated with real
gene amplification. No significant correlation was detected between HER-2/neu overexpression with amplification, and prognosis
of non-small cell lung cancer.
Conclusion: No correlation is present between fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry results. HER-2/neu
alterations are present in non-small cell lung cancers. Therefore, HER-2/neu overexpression may be associated with transcriptional
mechanisms rather than gene amplification.
