HER2 testing in paired biopsy and excision specimens of gastric cancer: the reliability of the scoring system and the clinicopathological factors relevant to discordance

BACKGROUND

Inclusion of trastuzumab in chemotherapy regimens is advantageous for patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer who overexpress HER2. Therefore, accurate assessment of HER2 status in tumor tissue is critical when weighing treatment options.

METHODS

We examined HER2 expression in 180 paired endoscopic biopsy and surgical excision specimens of gastric cancers via immunohistochemistry (IHC). Equivocal IHC results (IHC 2+) were resolved by HER2 fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The relationships of several clinical and pathological features with discordant HER2 results in paired specimens were determined.

RESULTS

Fourteen biopsy specimens and surgical specimens (7.8%) were HER2-positive. Discordant HER2 IHC scores were observed in 90 paired specimens (50%) and 8 paired specimens (4.4%) had discordant results. The kappa coefficients for an HER2 diagnostic algorithm were 0.264, 0.339, and 0.690 for IHC scores, IHC categories, and final results, respectively (p < 0.001). Discordant HER2 results were significantly associated with discordant tumor differentiation in the paired biopsy and excision specimens (p = 0.01). Intratumoral heterogeneity did not predict HER2 discordance. There was no association between HER2 discordance and the number of biopsy tissue fragments (p = 0.764).

CONCLUSIONS

Hofmann's HER2 scoring system is a fairly reliable tool for evaluating HER2 status in biopsy and excision specimens. Discordant HER2 results in paired specimens were observed in a small percentage of gastric cancers. Testing all available specimens should be considered in order to eliminate discrepancies, especially when discordant tumor differentiation is observed.

Gastric Adenocarcinoma: An Update on Genomics, Immune System Modulations, and Targeted Therapy

Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) is a global health burden on all societies, and it was the third-leading cause of cancer-related mortality in 2012, causing 723,000 deaths worldwide. The prognosis of patients with metastatic GAC remains poor, with a median overall survival of less than 1 year in patients treated with currently available therapies. A limited number of therapeutic agents is currently available. Recent additions to the armamentarium include trastuzumab and ramucirumab, which have shown some survival advantage when added to cytotoxic(s). Genomic analyses have defined various genotypes of GACs. The novel genomic knowledge can lead to discovery of novel targets and novel therapeutic agents. In this update, we focus on the current genomic data, targeted therapies including immune system modulators, and expand on HER2/neu testing and the use of agents against this target. Several other facets of GAC and its therapy are not to be included in this review but have been discussed elsewhere.

Patients with refractory reflux symptoms: What do they have and how should they be managed?

With the widespread use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), the frontier of treating reflux disease has shifted from refractory esophagitis to PPI-refractory symptoms. However, symptoms are inherently less specific than mucosal disease and, as noted by Herregods et al. in their contribution appearing in this issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms often do not have GERD. This review discusses potential etiologies for PPI-refractory symptoms. Three major concepts are explored: subendoscopic esophagitis, weakly acidic reflux events, and alternative explanations for persistent symptoms. With respect to subendoscopic esophagitis and unsuppressed reflux, ample evidence exists that these are present in PPI-refractory patients. The problem is that these findings are also often present in substantial numbers of individuals with a satisfactory response to PPI therapy. Hence, the emphasis shifts to determinants of symptom perception. The major conclusion of the review is that psychogenic factors such as hyperalgesia, allodynia, hypervigilance, and heightened anxiety are the most plausible explanations as the dominant determinants of PPI-refractory symptoms.

Reliability of symptoms and endoscopic findings for diagnosis of esophageal eosinophilia in a Japanese population

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The clinical characteristics of esophageal eosinophilia (EE), which is essential for diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), have not been fully clarified in a Japanese population. The aim of this study was to analyze the reliability of symptoms and endoscopic findings for diagnosing EE in Japanese individuals.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled subjects who complained of esophageal symptoms suggesting EoE and/or those with endoscopic findings of suspected EoE at the outpatient clinics of 12 hospitals. Diagnostic utility was compared between the EE and non-EE groups using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 349 patients, including 319 with symptoms and 30 with no symptoms but endoscopic findings suggesting EoE were enrolled. Of those with symptoms, 8 (2.5%) had EE, and 3 were finally diagnosed with EoE. Of those without symptoms but endoscopic findings, 4 had EE. Among 8 symptomatic patients, 7 had abnormal endoscopic findings suspicious of EoE. Although dysphagia was a major symptom in EE, none of the presenting symptoms was useful for diagnosis of EE. Among the endoscopic findings, linear furrow was the most reliable (OR = 41.583).

CONCLUSION

EE is uncommon among patients with esophageal symptoms in Japanese individuals. The most useful endoscopic finding for diagnosis of EE was linear furrow, whereas subjective symptoms were not supportive.

Esophagitis: old histologic concepts and new thoughts

CONTEXT

Inflammatory lesions of the esophagus are a diverse group, often with nonspecific histologic findings. These benign changes can produce diagnostic difficulties for pathologists.

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the typical histologic findings of a variety of the most common causes of esophagitis (reflux, eosinophilic esophagitis, infections, medications) along with less common issues such as sloughing esophagitis and skin disorders involving the squamous mucosa.

DATA SOURCES

The literature has been reviewed to discuss histologic definitions of current and developing issues in the area of esophagitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Histologic features are not entirely sensitive and specific for inflammatory esophageal disorders. Awareness of these problems is essential; clinical and endoscopic information can be very useful in distinguishing among the various lesions.

[Determination of hyperregeneratory esophagopathy in dogs with clinical signs attributable to esophageal disease]

OBJECTIVE

It was hypothesized that typical characteristics of hyperregeneratory esophagopathy (HRE) in humans such as basal cell hyperplasia and elongation of stromal papillae are also histologically detectable in canine esophageal epithelium, and that these changes are associated with clinical signs and endoscopic findings suggesting gastroesophageal reflux (GER).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixty-five adult dogs with clinical signs attributable to esophageal disease underwent esophagoscopy and biopsy. Clinical signs suggesting GER (regurgitation, ptyalism, painful discomfort) were prospectively evaluated through a questionnaire. Endoscopic mucosal alterations suggesting GER such as minimal endoscopic changes and obvious mucosal defects were assessed via video endoscopy. Biopsy specimens obtained from the esophageal squamous epithelium were evaluated histologically. The squamous epithelium's substructures of esophageal biopsies were quantitatively assessed through microscopic morphometry.

RESULTS

Esophageal squamous epithelium was considered normal in 48 dogs, and HRE was detected histologically in 17 dogs; both pathognomonic changes (basal cell hyperplasia, elongation of stromal papillae) were consistently present. Morphometrically assessed stromal papillary length and basal cell layer thickness was significantly (each, p < 0.0001) higher in the 17 dogs with HRE than in the 48 dogs without HRE, respectively. Overall, clinical signs suggesting GER were significantly (p = 0.02) more frequently encountered and regurgitation was significantly (p = 0.009) more common in the 17 dogs with HRE than in the 48 dogs without HRE. Similarly, endoscopic changes were significantly (p = 0.002) more frequently observed and minimal endoscopic changes suggesting GER were significantly (p = 0.004) more common in 17 dogs with HRE than in the 48 dogs without HRE.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Typical characteristics of hyperregeneratory esophagopathy in humans are also histologically detectable in canine esophageal epithelium. Histological changes are associated with clinical signs and endoscopic findings suggesting GER.

Changes in the esophageal mucosa of patients with non erosive reflux disease: How far have we gone?

The normal esophageal mucosa creates a protective epithelial barrier that constrains the acidic reflux in the esophageal lumen. Microscopic findings and functional studies indicate that this barrier might be impaired in patients with non erosive reflux disease (NERD) but not in patients with functional heartburn (FH). Whereas endoscopy and pH monitoring are the most important diagnostic tools in the diagnosis of NERD, recent studies suggest that esophageal biopsies might have a complementary role. Particularly in the differential diagnosis between NERD and FH, the application of histological severity scores showed very promising results. Further evaluation of the scores could lead to routine application of histology in specific NERD populations.

HER2 status in gastroesophageal cancer: a tissue microarray study of 1040 cases

Among patients with gastric cancer (GC) and gastroesophageal cancer (G-EC), HER2 amplification identifies those who may benefit from trastuzumab. HER2 status assessment, however, is influenced by preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic variables. In a series of 5426 microarray cancer tissue cores obtained from 1040 GC/G-ECs (824 GC, 216 G-EC) and 720 synchronous nodal metastases, we evaluated both the performances of 2 different immunohistochemistry (IHC) protocols and the HER2 status intratumor variability. The prevalence of HER2 amplification and protein overexpression were assessed by chromogenic in situ hybridization and by 2 IHC protocols (CB11 and 4B5). HER2 was amplified in 114 (11%) of 1040 cases; in 6 (5.3%) of 114 cases, gene amplification only involved nodal metastasis. HER2 amplification prevailed in intestinal-type (P = .001) and low-grade (P < .001) tumors, showing no correlation with patients' age/sex, tumor location, stage, and Ming histotype. Overall, 12.5% and 13.7% of cases IHC scored 2+/3+ using the CB11-IHC and the 4B5-IHC protocol, respectively. HER2 amplification was not associated with protein overexpression (score 0/1+) in 11.4% and 6.2% of cases using the CB11-IHC and the 4B5-IHC protocol, respectively. The 4B5-IHC protocol proved more sensitive than CB11-IHC (93.9% versus 88.6%) and just as specific (96.1% versus 96.9%). Tested by chromogenic in situ hybridization, intratumor HER2 status was "substantially" consistent in different tissue cores obtained from the same case (κ = 0.78). Similar results were obtained for HER2 protein expression (CB11-IHC, κ = 0.78, and 4B5-IHC, κ = 0.83). Immunohistochemistry testing, however, fails in identifying about 10% of HER2-amplified cancers, potentially excluding these patients from anti-HER2 therapy.

HER2 testing in gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas

The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in 10% to 35% of gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinomas. In 2010, the phase III Trastuzumab for Gastric Cancer (ToGA) trial showed that addition of the anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody trastuzumab to chemotherapy significantly improved survival of patients with advanced or metastatic tumors that were positive for HER2 overexpression. As a result, HER2 testing is now recommended for all patients with advanced or metastatic disease, although there is still some debate as to the optimal methods of assessment. HER2 expression in gastric and GEJ tumors shows several differences compared with breast tumors and, for this reason, the proposed criteria for scoring HER2 expression in biopsies and resections of gastric and GEJ carcinomas differ from those used in breast carcinomas. This review discusses what is currently known about the patterns of HER2 expression in gastric and GEJ adenocarcinomas, summarizes the findings of the ToGA trial and its clinical implications, and provides an overview of the recommended guidelines for the most accurate evaluation of HER2 status in gastric and GEJ cancer.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 testing in gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas: role of the gastroenterologist

Endoscopic biopsy sampling of a gastric or GEJ mass is no longer just for histologic diagnosis. The biopsy material may be used for ancillary IHC and/or DNA testing. When possible, multiple biopsy specimens for sampling different areas of the tumor should be obtained to provide the best opportunity to identify overexpression of HER2 and abnormalities in other genes/proteins that may be expressed in different areas of the tumor. Thorough sampling at the time of initial diagnosis may prevent the need for future endoscopic procedures for the sole purpose of obtaining additional tissue for biomarker studies. Communication and coordination with oncologists and pathologists is essential to ensure an appropriate HER2 evaluation is performed. In the coming age of targeted therapeutics, endoscopy may not only be used to obtain tissue for histology and biomarker evaluation but may also be used for the direct in vivo evaluation of biomarkers that guide therapy.

Minimum biopsy set for HER2 evaluation in gastric and gastro-esophageal junction cancer

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

The HER2 status of small endoscopic biopsies is important for predicting the eligibility of patients with metastatic HER2-positive gastric cancer or gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ) cancer for anti-HER2 therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The aim of this study was to identify the minimum biopsy set required to evaluate the HER2 status with confidence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 103 consecutive patients with resected gastric cancer or GEJ cancer were retrospectively selected; 2 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of each surgical specimen and all paired endoscopic biopsies were analyzed for HER2 status with both immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) methods. A total of 10 virtual biopsies were constructed by selecting areas 2.6 mm in diameter on the luminal side of digitalized slides obtained from the surgical specimens. The results of evaluating HER2 status in virtual biopsies, slides containing complete surgical specimens, and endoscopic biopsies were compared. The resulting minimum biopsy set was applied to the endoscopic biopsy series for validation.

RESULTS

A biopsy set containing a minimum of 5 samples was identified as the most accurate in predicting HER2 status (sensitivity, 92 %; specificity, 97 %). In only 3 of the 103 cases (2.9 %) did a comparison of the HER2 evaluation of virtual biopsies and that of entire slides show inconsistent results. Overall agreement between the endoscopic biopsies and surgical samples for HER2 IHC status increased from 78.4 % to 92.3 % when biopsy sets containing 4 or fewer samples were compared with biopsy sets containing 5 or more samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the recommendations suggest that 8 to 10 biopsies are necessary, the results show that a minimum set of 5 biopsies may be sufficient for reliable HER2 assessment in gastric cancer and GEJ cancer. However, endoscopists should be aware that a smaller sample size may be less accurate in selecting patients eligible for anti-HER2 therapy.

Gastroesophageal reflux in young children and adolescents: Is there a relation between symptom severity and esophageal histological grade?

BACKGROUND

The pediatric literature about the correlation between symptoms and histological lesions in patients investigated for gastroesophageal reflux disease is scarce and inconclusive. The primary aim of the present study was to assess the relation between the complained symptom severity and the esophageal histological grade, through the use of validated and reliable scores.

METHODS

All children ages between 2 and 17 years referred to perform upper gastrointestinal endoscopy because of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms were asked to complete the Pediatric Gastroesophageal Symptom and Quality of Life validated questionnaire, investigating the main symptoms complained and their impact on daily life and school activities. Esophageal mucosal samples taken during the procedure were analyzed and scored according to the Yerian-Fiocca classification.

RESULTS

A total of 164 children were included in the study. No significant association was found between symptomatic score and histological score (r(s): 0.05, P: 0.49). Even when focusing only on adolescents with heartburn or chest pain, no correlation between symptom severity and esophageal lesions was found (r(s): -0.18, P: 0.264). Intercellular space diameter values did not mirror symptom severity.

CONCLUSIONS

The main finding of this study on children with reflux symptoms is the lack of correlation between symptom severity and esophageal histological grade. The magnitude of intercellular spaces was found not to be related with the clinical score as well.

Impact of hiatal hernia on pediatric dyspeptic symptoms

OBJECTIVES

Hiatal hernia (HH) affects from 10% to 50% of adult population. The correlation between HH, gastroesophageal reflux disease, dyspeptic symptoms, and esophagitis has long been known in adults. The primary objective of our prospective observational study was to estimate the prevalence of HH in children undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), irrespective of their symptoms.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 111 consecutive children (48 boys and 63 girls; mean age 94.9 ± 52.3 months) referred for EGD. In all of the patients a symptomatic score assessment based on the Rome III criteria was used to measure frequency, severity, and duration of gastrointestinal symptoms. HH presence was endoscopically defined; esophagitis presence was evaluated either endoscopically and histologically. Children were divided in 2 age-range groups: <48 months (group 1) and >48 months (group 2).

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients of 111 (20.7%) had evidence of a sliding HH at EGD. In children from group 2, we found a statistically significant association of HH with heartburn (P = 0.03, 95% confidence interval 1-9.3, r = 0.1) and regurgitation (P = 0.003, 95% confidence interval 1.7-20.4, r = 0.3). Regarding esophagitis presence, no association was found at any age either with defined esophagitis or with dilated intercellular spaces.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of HH in our study population was 20.7%. According to our data, HH correlates with the presence of heartburn and regurgitation in children, but not in toddlers. No association was found with esophagitis at any age.

[Comparative study of the determination of the HER2 status in gastric cancer in the biopsy and intraoperative specimens]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the HER2 status of gastric adenocarcinomas, by using biopsy and intraoperative specimens.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to examine the HER2 status of 346 gastric cancer biopsy and intraoperative specimens.

RESULTS

The study conducted on a large Russian sample of 346 patients showed a positive HER2 status in 10.7% of the examined specimens. Intestinal-type adenocarcinomas exhibited a positive HER2 status in 21.4% of the cases. Comparative analysis of the HER2 status in the biopsy and intraoperative specimens indicated that there were differences in the determination of the tumor HER2 status in less than 1% of the examined specimens. The remaining found differences (14.7%) failed to change the tumor HER2 status and to affect the choice of a treatment regimen.

CONCLUSION

The performed investigation has demonstrated that the tumor HER2 status determined in the biopsy specimen significantly reflects the molecular biological properties of gastric cancer and may be clinically used to determine indications for the use of targeted drugs.

Prognosis significance of HER2 status and TACC1 expression in patients with gastric carcinoma

HER2 amplification and/or expression occurs in gastric carcinoma (GC), but the role of HER2 in the prognosis of GC remains unclear. The dysregulation of transforming acidic coiled coil 1 (TACC1), a downstream gene of HER2, is thought to be involved in the development of GC. The aim of this study was to investigate the role and relationship of HER2 and TACC1 in GC. The expression of HER2 and TACC1 was analyzed using immunohistochemistry on 129 primary resected GC patients, and HER2 amplification was additionally determined by FISH. The data on clinicopathological features and relevant prognostic factors in these patients were analyzed. The expression (3+, 2+ and 1+) and the amplification of HER2 was observed in 57 cases (44.2 %) and 25 cases (19.4 %), respectively, and the correlation between HER2 expression and amplification was strong (p < 0.001). According to the FDA criteria, 24 cases (18.6 %) would have been considered as HER2 positive. A total 62 (48.1 %) GC tissues showed positive cytoplasmic staining of TACC1. There was a significant and positive association between TACC1 and HER2. HER2 positive was significantly associated with TNM stage (p = 0.019), and TACC1 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.004) and TNM stage (p = 0.004). TNM stage, TACC1 expression and co-positive of both HER2 and TACC1 were independent prognostic factors. TACC1 expression is an independent prognostic indicator of GC. The correlation between TACC1 expression and HER2-positive status indicated a possible synergistic regulation of the two molecules and co-positive of both HER2 and TACC1 maybe a more valuable prognostic marker.

Diagnostic value of dilated intercellular space and histopathologic scores in gastroesophageal reflux disease

The aim of this paper is to investigate the diagnostic value of histopathologic score and the dilated intercellular space (DIS) in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and functional heartburn (FH). Participants with GERD symptoms including reflux esophagitis, non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), Barrett's esophagus (BE), functional heartburn (FH), along with a control group with atypical GERD-like symptom (Sym-C), and asymptomatic healthy volunteers (H-C) were administered GERD questionnaire, and subjected to endoscopy and biopsies, as well as 24-hour pH-impedance monitoring. Biopsies were evaluated using standards from the 2011 Esohisto Project after Hematoxylin-Eosin staining. DIS was measured quantitatively under light microscopy. Among the total of 565 participants with qualified biopsy specimens, the mean DIS of the reflux esophagitis (RE) group was significantly wider compared with the other five groups. DIS in patients with GERD-like symptoms was significantly wider compared with the H-C. No significant differences were observed between NERD and FH. Results from 24-hour pH-impedance monitoring indicated that only the DIS of patients with acid reflux or the amount of acid reflux episodes in patients with DIS was significantly wider compared with patients with nonacid reflux or patients without DIS (P < 0.001). With DIS = 0.9 μm as the cutoff value, the sensitivity and specificity were 62.6% and 54.1%, respectively. Using the total histopathologic score > 3 as the diagnostic criterion, the sensitivity and specificity were 71.7% and 47.4%. DIS is closely associated with GERD and acid reflux. The diagnostic value of histological scores in lower esophagus in GERD is very similar to that of the quantitative measurement of DIS.

TNK2 gene amplification is a novel predictor of a poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer

BACKGROUNDS AND OBJECTIVES

We previously examined the amplification status of 10 kinase genes (PIK3CA, EPHB3, TNK2, PTK7, EGFR, MET, ERBB2, HCK, SRC, and AURKA) in gastric cancer (GC). This study aimed to determine the prognostic significance of these gene amplifications in GC.

METHODS

A survival analysis was performed for GC patients. Since TNK2 amplification was identified as a prognostic marker in the analysis, we also examined the functional effect of TNK2 overexpression on gastric cells.

RESULTS

A Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the prognosis of patients with GC exhibiting TNK2 or AURKA amplification was significantly poorer than the prognosis of patients with GC without TNK2 or AURKA amplification. A further multivariate analysis revealed that TNK2 amplification was an independent predictor of a poor survival outcome among patients with GC (hazard ratio, 3.668; 95% confidence interval, 1.513-7.968; P = 0.0056). TNK2-overexpressing GC cells showed an increase in cell migration and non-anchored cell growth. Finally, microarray and pathway analyses revealed the aberrant regulation of some cancer-related pathways in TNK2-overexpressing GC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that TNK2 amplification is an independent predictor of a poor prognosis in patients with GC and leads to an increase in the malignant potential of GC cells.

Validation study of the Esohisto consensus guidelines for the recognition of microscopic esophagitis (histoGERD Trial)

In patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), histology is generally believed to be a tool of limited diagnostic value. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence of microscopic esophageal lesions as defined by the Esohisto consensus guidelines, which have proven high interobserver agreement in previous studies. In the prospective Central European multicenter histoGERD trial, we recruited 1071 individuals (576 females and 495 males; median age, 53 years; range, 15-93 years) undergoing gastroscopy for nonselected reasons. Biopsy material was systematically sampled from above and below the gastroesophageal junction. Overall, histologic diagnosis of mild and severe esophagitis was made in 423 (39.5%) and 296 (27.6%) individuals, respectively, whereas the squamous mucosa of 352 individuals (32.9%) was normal upon histology or showed only insignificant findings. Proliferative changes of the squamous epithelium, in particular basal cell layer hyperplasia, papillary elongation, and intercellular space dilation, were more common than inflammatory cell infiltration. The presence of microscopic esophagitis was associated with male sex (P = .009), patients' symptoms (P = .003), history of proton pump inhibitor intake (P < .001), and the endoscopic diagnosis of esophagitis (P < .001). Notably, among the 450 patients with no endoscopic signs of esophagitis (Los Angeles Category N), 41.8% and 17.1% were identified with mild and severe (microscopic) esophagitis, respectively, indicating higher sensitivity of histologic diagnosis. In conclusion, our data illustrate the value of histology in the workup of patients with reflux disease. We suggest that biopsies should routinely be obtained when patients undergo upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for evaluation of GERD and may particularly be beneficial in patients with nonerosive reflux disease.

Combined HER2 analysis of biopsies and surgical specimens to optimize detection of trastuzumab-eligible patients in eso-gastric adenocarcinoma: a GERCOR study

BACKGROUND

HER2 is overexpressed in 10 to 20% of gastro-esophageal adenocarcinoma (GE-ADK), and is a target for trastuzumab in metastatic patients. We conducted a study to compare HER2 expression between diagnostic biopsies (DBs) and surgical specimens (SSs) of GE-ADK, and to determine the influence of non-trastuzumab containing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) on this expression.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Pathological specimens from biopsies of 228 patients operated on between 2004 and 2011 were collected. Two cohorts treated (n = 141) or not (n = 87) with a NAC were constituted. Two blind independent pathological HER2 analyses on DB and on SS were carried out using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and colorimetric in situ hybridization (CISH). HER-2 overexpression (HER2+) was defined by a score 3+ in IHC, or 2+ with a positive CISH test, according to the specific HER2 scoring guidelines for GE-ADK.

RESULTS

Paired HER2 status could be determined for 218 out of the 228 patients (95.6%). HER2+ rates were 13.3% on DB (29/218) and 14.7% on SS (32/218). HER2+ tumors were mainly cardial or esophageal adenocarcinomas, with a well-differentiated, intestinal histological type. HER2 status differed between DB and SS in 6% of cases. When DB analyses were added to SS analyses, the relative increase in HER2+ cases was 13.5% (17.1% for patients with NAC and 23.5% for patients with histological response to NAC, versus 7.1% for patients without NAC, P = 0.4, NS). Differences between DB and SS HER2 expression could be explained by intratumoral heterogeneity and by a HER2 expression decrease in SS after NAC in responding patients possibly due to a higher chemosensitivity of HER2-positive clones.

CONCLUSION

The determination of HER2 status on DB provides results that complete those obtained with SS. Combining the analysis of DB and of SS enables to optimize the selection of trastuzumab-eligible patients in case of metastatic relapse, and particularly in previously NAC-responding patients.

Association between HSP90 and Her2 in gastric and gastroesophageal carcinomas

Background

Her2 expression and amplification occurs in a significant subset of gastro-esophageal carcinomas. Her2 is a client protein of molecular chaperones, e.g. heat shock protein (HSP) 90, rendering targeted therapies against Her2/HSP90 an interesting approach. This study aimed to investigate the role and relationship of Her2 and HSP90 in gastric and gastro-esophageal adenocarcinomas.

Material and Methods

Immunohistochemical determination of HSP90 and Her2 expression was performed on 347 primary resected tumors. Her2 amplification was additionally determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization for all cases. Expression and amplification results were correlated with pathologic parameters (UICC pTNM category, tumor grading) and survival.

Results

Elevated Her2 copy numbers were observed in 87 tumors, 21 of them showing amplification. 174 tumors showed Her2 immunoreactivity/expression. HSP 90 immunoreactivity was found in 125 tumors. There was no difference between gastric carcinomas and carcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction regarding Her2 or HSP90. Both high HSP90 and Her2 expression/amplification were associated with earlier tumor stages (p<0.01), absence of lymph node metastases (p<0.02) and Laurens intestinal type (p<0.001). HSP90 correlated with Her2 expression and amplification (p<0.001 each). Expressions of HSP90 and Her2, but not Her2 amplification were associated with better prognosis (p=0.02; p=0.004; p=0.802). Moreover, Her2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in the subgroup of gastric carcinoma patients (p=0.014) besides pT category, pN category and distant metastases.

Conclusion

Her2 expression and gene amplification occurred in a significant subset of cases. Our results suggest a favorable prognostic impact of Her2 expression. This warrants further investigations regarding the significance of Her2 non-amplified tumors showing Her2 immunoreactivity and the definition of Her2 status in gastric cancers. Moreover, the correlation of Her2 expression with the expression of Her2 chaperoning HSP90 may indicate a synergistic regulation. Targeting HSP90 with or without Her2 may offer additional therapeutic options for gastric carcinoma treatment.

What is the role of endoscopy and oesophageal biopsies in the management of GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a diagnosis applicable to "all individuals who are exposed to the risk of physical complications from gastroesophageal reflux, or who experience clinically significant impairment of health related well being (quality of life) due to reflux related symptoms, after adequate reassurance of the benign nature of their symptoms". It remains, predominantly, a symptom-based diagnosis, confirmed clinically by a response to acid suppression therapy although it is accompanied by demonstrable increases in acid exposure on esophageal pH-metry and by endoscopic and histological changes. Standard white light endoscopy permits diagnosis of erosive reflux disease (ERD) which, if present, should be graded for severity using the Los Angeles classification system. However, the role of endoscopy in clinical practice is, primarily, to evaluate patients with persistent symptoms, despite medical therapy, or to investigate alarm features and exclude complications such as Barrett' oesophagus which should be assessed using the Prague C & M criteria. Newer endoscopic techniques allow detection of 'minimal change' GERD lesions and Barrett's oesophagus-associated dysplastic or neoplastic lesions; however, none of the newer techniques has been validated for routine clinical practice. There is an increasing recognition that histology in GERD may provide useful diagnostic information, in part to exclude other lesions, such as eosinophilic oesophagitis, intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia or malignancy and, in part, to identify changes, such as basal cell hyperplasia, papillary elongation and, most recently, dilated intercellular spaces, that are consistent with GERD. However, more widespread incorporation of histology into the clinical management of GERD will require a standardized biopsy protocol and efforts to minimise interobserver differences in the identification of GERD-related histological changes.

Microscopic esophagitis distinguishes patients with non-erosive reflux disease from those with functional heartburn

BACKGROUND

Microscopic esophagitis (ME) is common in patients with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), and dilation of intercellular spaces (DIS) has been regarded as the potential main mechanism of symptom generation. We aimed to compare these histological abnormalities in healthy volunteers (HVs) and patients with erosive esophagitis (EE), NERD, and functional heartburn (FH).

METHODS

Consecutive patients with heartburn prospectively underwent upper endoscopy and impedance-pH off-therapy. Twenty EE patients and fifty-seven endoscopy-negative patients (NERD), subclassified as 22 with pH-POS (positive for abnormal acid exposure), 20 with hypersensitive esophagus (HE; normal acid/symptom association probability [SAP]+ or symptom index [SI]+), and 15 with FH (normal acid/SAP-/SI-/ proton pump inhibitor [PPI] test-), were enrolled. Twenty HVs were also included. In each patient/control, multiple specimens (n = 5) were taken from the distal esophagus and histological alterations were evaluated. ME was diagnosed when the global histological score was >0.35.

RESULTS

The prevalence of ME was higher (p < 0.0001) in EE (95 %), pH-POS (77 %), and HE (65 %) NERD patients than in FH patients (13 %) and HVs (15 %). Also, basal cell hyperplasia (p < 0.0023), DIS (p < 0.0001), and papillae elongation (p < 0.0002) showed similar rates of prevalence in the above populations (p < 0.0001). ME, including each histological lesion, had similar low frequencies in FH and HVs (p = 0.9990). Considering the histological abnormalities together, they permitted us to clearly differentiate EE and NERD from FH and HVs (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The lack of ME in the esophageal distal biopsies of FH patients indicates a limited role of these histological abnormalities in symptom generation in them. ME can be considered as an accurate and reliable diagnostic marker for distinguishing FH patients from GERD patients and has the potential to be used to guide the correct therapy.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease--from reflux episodes to mucosal inflammation

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects 20-30% of the population in Western countries, and is one of the most common clinical problems in daily practice. GERD-associated functional and structural abnormalities are caused by recurrent exposure of the esophagus to acidic and nonacidic refluxate of gastric contents (containing duodenal and intestinal proteases as well as acid and gastric pepsin) from the stomach. Major progress has been made in the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of GERD-associated mucosal inflammation, suggesting a complex and multifactorial pathogenesis and immune-mediated effects. This Review summarizes the complexity of mucosal pathogenesis, including microscopic changes, mucosal inflammation and GERD-specific molecular mediators, in the context of the clinical features and pathophysiological characteristics of GERD. The abnormal exposure of the esophagus to luminal contents leads to chronic mucosal inflammation that is characterized by the release of IL-8 specifically, as well as other proinflammatory mediators, from the esophageal mucosa. Evidence from animal studies indicates a stepwise inflammatory response by the epithelium, which attracts immune effector cells to infiltrate the mucosa. From bench to bedside, these novel molecular findings might provide new treatment options beyond current acid-suppressive therapy and the principle of inhibition of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation.