Gene amplification of ESR1 in breast cancers--fact or fiction? A fluorescence in situ hybridization and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification study

TLR-8, TNF-α, and ESR-1α Gene Polymorphism Susceptibility in Onset of Arthritis

Arthritis is a genetic disorder characterized by bones and joint degradation assisted by severe pain and inflammation. It is evident by the studies that 0 candidate genes variations play vital role in its development and progression. Therefore, we investigated the genetic variation of TLR-8, TNF, and ESR-1α genes in the Pakistani population. A case-control study comprising 300 RA, 316 OA, and 412 control subjects was conducted. PCR-RFLP and direct sequencing methods were used for determining genetic variations. Analysis was performed by using PLINK and MEGA 6.0 software. Allelic and genetic frequencies of polymorphisms identified on rs3764879 (TLR-8), rs3764880 (TLR-8), rs5744080 (TLR-8), rs1800629 (TNF), rs2228480 (ESR-1α), and rs1451501590 (ESR-1α) were significantly varied among RA, OA, and controls. Novel functional mutations SCV000844945 and SCV000844946 on TLR-8 as well as a non-functional SCV000804801 and functional variation SCV000804802 on ESR-1α were also identified and reported for the first time in the studied population. Multiple site analyses indicated that polymorphisms on TLR-8 and ESR-1α genes were significant risk factors in disease onset to the next generation. In conclusion, TLR-08 and ESR-1α were significant in the onset of arthritis whereas the TNF was not found as a significant risk factor in the onset of RA and OA.

Clinical and Biological Significance of ESR1 Gene Alteration and Estrogen Receptors Isoforms Expression in Breast Cancer Patients

The amplification of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) encoded by the ESR1 gene has been described as having a prognostic role in breast cancer patients. However, increased dosage of the ESR1 gene (tested by real-time PCR) is also observed in ER-negative breast cancers, which might suggest the expression of alternative isoforms of ERα (other than classical ERα of 66 kDa). In the current work, we have investigated the ESR1 gene dosage in 402 primary breast cancer patients as well as the expression of ERα isoforms—ERα66 and ERα36—on mRNA and protein levels. The obtained results were correlated with clinicopathological data of the patients. Results showed that increased ESR1 gene dosage is not related to ESR1 gene amplification measured by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), but it correlates with the decreased expression of ERα66 isoform (p = 0.01). Interestingly, the short ER isoform ERα36 was expressed in samples with increased ESR1 gene dosage, suggesting that genomic aberration might influence the expression of that particular isoform. Similarly to ESR1 increased gene dosage, high ERα36 expression was linked with the decreased disease-free survival of the patients (p = 0.05), which was independent of the status of the classical ERα66 level in breast tumors.

Frequent ESR1 and CDK Pathway Copy-Number Alterations in Metastatic Breast Cancer

DNA sequencing has identified a limited number of driver mutations in metastatic breast cancer beyond single base-pair mutations in the estrogen receptor (ESR1). However, our previous studies and others have observed that structural variants, such as ESR1 fusions, may also play a role. Therefore, we expanded upon these observations by performing a comprehensive and highly sensitive characterization of copy-number (CN) alterations in a large clinical cohort of metastatic specimens. NanoString DNA hybridization was utilized to measure CN gains, amplifications, and deletions of 67 genes in 108 breast cancer metastases, and in 26 cases, the patient-matched primary tumor. For ESR1, a copyshift algorithm was applied to identify CN imbalances at exon-specific resolution and queried large data sets (>15,000 tumors) that had previously undergone next-generation sequencing (NGS). Interestingly, a subset of ER+ tumors showed increased ESR1 CN (11/82, 13%); three had CN amplifications (4%) and eight had gains (10%). Increased ESR1 CN was enriched in metastatic specimens versus primary tumors, and this was orthogonally confirmed in a large NGS data set. ESR1-amplified tumors showed a site-specific enrichment for bone metastases and worse outcomes than nonamplified tumors. No ESR1 CN amplifications and only one gain was identified in ER- tumors. ESR1 copyshift was present in 5 of the 11 ESR1-amplified tumors. Other frequent amplifications included ERBB2, GRB7, and cell-cycle pathway members CCND1 and CDK4/6, which showed mutually exclusivity with deletions of CDKN2A, CDKN2B, and CDKN1B. IMPLICATIONS: Copy-number alterations of ESR1 and key CDK pathway genes are frequent in metastatic breast cancers, and their clinical relevance should be tested further.

KRAS status is related to histological phenotype in gastric cancer: results from a large multicentre study

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) is histologically a very heterogeneous disease, and the temporal development of different histological phenotypes remains unclear. Recent studies in lung and ovarian cancer suggest that KRAS activation (KRASact) can influence histological phenotype. KRASact likely results from KRAS mutation (KRASmut) or KRAS amplification (KRASamp). The aim of the study was to investigate whether KRASmut and/or KRASamp are related to the histological phenotype in GC.

METHODS

Digitized haematoxylin/eosin-stained slides from 1282 GC resection specimens were classified according to Japanese Gastric Cancer Association (JGCA) and the Lauren classification by at least two observers. The relationship between KRAS status, predominant histological phenotype and clinicopathological variables was assessed.

RESULTS

KRASmut and KRASamp were found in 68 (5%) and 47 (7%) GCs, respectively. Within the KRASmut and KRASamp cases, the most frequent GC histological phenotype was moderately differentiated tubular 2 (tub2) type (KRASmut: n = 27, 40%; KRASamp: n = 21, 46%) or intestinal type (KRASmut: n = 41, 61%; KRASamp: n = 23, 50%). Comparing individual histological subtypes, mucinous carcinoma displayed the highest frequency of KRASmut (JGCA: n = 6, 12%, p = 0.012; Lauren: n = 6, 12%, p = 0.013), and KRASamp was more frequently found in poorly differentiated solid type (n = 12, 10%, p = 0.267) or indeterminate type (n = 12, 10%, p = 0.480) GC. 724 GCs (57%) had intratumour morphological heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest GC study investigating KRAS status and histological phenotype. We identified a relationship between KRASmut and mucinous phenotype. The high level of intratumour morphological heterogeneity could reflect KRASmut heterogeneity, which may explain the failure of anti-EGFR therapy in GC.

The evolving role of receptors as predictive biomarkers for metastatic breast cancer

INTRODUCTION

In breast cancer, estrogen receptor (ER) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) are essential biomarkers to predict response to endocrine and anti-HER2 therapies, respectively. In metastatic breast cancer, the use of these receptors and targeted therapies present additional challenges: temporal heterogeneity, together with limited sampling methodologies, hinders receptor status assessment, and the constant evolution of the disease invariably leads to resistance to treatment. Areas covered: This review summarizes the genomic abnormalities in ER and HER2, such as mutations, amplifications, translocations, and alternative splicing, emerging as novel biomarkers that provide an insight into underlying mechanisms of resistance and hold potential predictive value to inform treatment selection. We also describe how liquid biopsies for sampling of circulating markers and ultrasensitive detection technologies have emerged which complement ongoing efforts for biomarker discovery and analysis. Expert commentary: While evidence suggests that genomic aberrations in ER and HER2 could contribute to meeting the pressing need for better predictive biomarkers, efforts need to be made to standardize assessment methods and better understand the resistance mechanisms these markers denote. Taking advantage of emerging technologies, research in upcoming years should include prospective trials incorporating these predictors into the study design to validate their potential clinical value.

ESR1 gene amplification in an Iranian population with early onset invasive ductal breast carcinoma

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate a modified SYBR Green qPCR method to study the inter-relations of ESR1 amplification to other parameters including ER expression status, clinicopathological features and responsiveness to tamoxifen. Materials & methods: 35 breast cancer tissues were assessed for ESR1 amplification by a modified qPCR. Results: Amplification of ESR1 was observed in 31.4% out of 35 samples. ESR1 amplification and overexpression were significantly correlated (Spearman's Rho = 0.658; p < 0.001). ESR1 amplification was also statistically associated with positive response to tamoxifen (p = 0.0005), lower tumor grade (p = 0.027) and lower tumor stage (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Findings showed a positive correlation between ER amplification and ER-α expression and highlighted the potential clinical value of using SYBR Green qPCR to quantify amplification of ESR1. ESR1 amplification could be used as an indicator of positive response to tamoxifen and might have a clinicopathological significance. However, the qPCR data should be confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Copy number profiling of oncogenes in ductal carcinoma in situ of the male breast

Characterizing male breast cancer (BC) and unraveling male breast carcinogenesis is challenging because of the rarity of this disease. We investigated copy number status of 22 BC-related genes in 18 cases of pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and in 49 cases of invasive carcinoma (IC) with adjacent DCIS (DCIS-AIC) in males using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Results were compared to female BC and correlated with survival. Overall, copy number ratio and aberration frequency including all 22 genes showed no significant difference between the 3 groups. Individual unpaired analysis revealed a significantly higher MTDH copy number ratio in IC compared to DCIS-AIC and pure DCIS (P = 0.009 and P = 0.038, respectively). ADAM9 showed a significantly lower copy number aberration frequency in male BC, compared to female BC (P = 0.020). In DCIS-AIC, MTDH, CPD, CDC6 and TOP2A showed a lower frequency of copy number increase in males compared to females (P < 0.001 for all 4 genes). In IC, CPD gain and CCNE1 gain were independent predictors of poor overall survival. In conclusion, male DCIS and IC showed a similar copy number profile for 21 out of 22 interrogated BC-related genes, illustrating their clonal relation and the genetically advanced state of male DCIS. MTDH showed a higher copy number ratio in IC compared to adjacent and pure DCIS and may therefore play a role in male breast carcinogenesis. Differences were detected between male and female DCIS for 4 genes pointing to differences in breast carcinogenesis between the sexes.

Amplification of HER2 and TOP2A and deletion of TOP2A genes in a series of Taiwanese breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The prognostic relevance of topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A) copy number change remains not well established. This study is aimed to investigate the frequency and pattern of TOP2A aberrations; to correlate TOP2A alterations with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status and clinicopathological parameters, and further to explore prognostic value of TOP2A and HER2 status in breast cancer in Taiwan.

METHODS

We analyzed tissue samples from 311 invasive carcinomas in tissue microarrays for TOP2A and HER2 status by fluorescent in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

TOP2A copy number change is an infrequent genetic event (9.8% amplification and 2.7% deletion) and is present in both HER2-amplified and nonamplified tumors. TOP2A amplification is statistically associated with age >50 at diagnosis (P = 0.016) and HER2 amplification (P < 0.001). HER2 amplification, but not TOP2A amplification, is a predictor of unfavorable prognosis (P = 0.002). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that higher histologic grading, positive nodal involvement, and HER2 positivity were associated with poorer overall survival. Cytogenetically, double minutes-type amplification is the predominant pattern for both genes (HER2: 64% and TOP2A: 93.1%). Homogeneous staining region-type signals of both genes are resistant to RNase digestion, supporting that these were not nuclear accumulation of mRNA transcripts.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate the prognostic value of tumor grading, nodal involvement, and HER2 status in Taiwanese breast cancer. TOP2A aberrations are an infrequent event independent of HER2 status, and TOP2A amplification carries no prognostic value. The predictive value of TOP2A aberrations in patients of breast cancer taking athracycline-containing treatment in Taiwan remains to be determined in prospectively well-designed clinical trials.

Gene amplification of CCNE1, CCND1, and CDK6 in gastric cancers detected by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and fluorescence in situ hybridization

New and effective treatments for advanced gastric cancer are urgently needed. Cyclins E and D1 form a complex with cyclin-dependent kinase 2, 4, or 6 to regulate G1-S transition. The G1-S regulatory genes encoding cyclin E (CCNE1), cyclin D1 (CCND1), and CDK6 (CDK6) are frequently amplified in gastric cancer and may therefore influence molecularly targeted therapies against ERBB2 or EGFR when coamplified. A total of 179 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded gastric cancer specimens were examined for these gene amplifications by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Amplification of at least 1 G1-S regulatory gene was found in 35 tumors (CCNE1 amplification, 15% of samples; CCND1, 6%; CDK6, 1%). In 13 of the 35 tumors, dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization identified coamplification of the G1-S regulatory genes with ERBB2, EGFR, and/or KRAS in single cancer nuclei. The observation that cells with G1-S regulatory gene amplification contained clonal subpopulations with coamplification of ERBB2, EGFR, or KRAS in 5 early and 3 advanced cancers suggests that amplification of the G1-S regulatory genes represents an early event, which precedes ERBB2, EGFR, or KRAS amplification. Amplified CCNE1, CCND1, and CDK6 in advanced gastric cancer may be potentially useful as direct targets for molecular therapy or for combination therapy with ERBB2 or EGFR inhibitors. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification could be a useful tool for identification of patients who would benefit from such therapies.

Detection of Gene Amplification by Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification in Comparison with In Situ Hybridization and Immunohistochemistry

Gene amplification is an important mechanism in the development and progression of cancer. Currently, gene amplification status is generally determined by in situ hybridization (ISH). Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) is a PCR-based method that allows copy number detection of up to 50 nucleic acid sequences in one reaction. The aim of the present study was to compare results for HER2, CCND1, MYC and ESR1 gene amplification detected by MLPA with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) as clinically approved methods. Tissue samples of 170 invasive breast cancers were collected. All were ER positive. Tissue samples had previously been tested for HER2 using immunohistochemistry. Amplification of the selected genes were assessed using MLPA, FISH and CISH and results were compared. HER2 MLPA and ISH results were also compared with HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) which detects protein overexpression. Amplification of HER2, CCND1, MYC and ESR1 by MLPA were found in 9%, 19%, 20% and 2% of samples, respectively. Amplification of HER2, CCND1, MYC and ESR1 by FISH was noted in 7%, 16%, 16% and 1% of samples, respectively. A high level of concordance was found between MLPA/ FISH (HER2: 88%, CCND1: 88%, MYC: 86%, ESR1: 92%) and MLPA/ CISH (HER2: 84%). Of all IHC 3+ cases, 91% were amplified by MLPA. In IHC 2+ group, 31% were MLPA amplified. In IHC 1+ group, 2% were MLPA amplified. None of the IHC 0 cases were amplified by MLPA. Our results indicate that there is a good correlation between MLPA, IHC and ISH results. Therefore, MLPA can serve as an alternative to ISH for detection of gene amplification.

Expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors across human malignancies: new therapeutic opportunities

Estrogen and progesterone receptors (ERs and PRs) are known for their prognostic as well as treatment predictive value in breast cancer. Although these receptors are differentially expressed in some other malignancies, and likely participate in the biology of those cancer types, the relevance to outcome and therapy is not well established. The use of ER as a highly effective therapeutic target in oncology was pioneered in breast cancer, and the lessons learned from its success could potentially benefit patients with several other malignancies in which hormone receptors are highly expressed. Indeed, there are several potent drugs available that target hormone receptors. These agents show incontrovertible evidence of benefit in patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. It is conceivable that these drugs may have salutary effects in a variety of cancers other than those originating in the breast, based on the overexpression of hormone receptors in some patients, and the preclinical and clinical reports showing responses to these drugs in diverse cancers, albeit in small series or anecdotally. We therefore undertook a literature review in order to summarize the current data regarding the biologic and clinical implications of expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in various malignancies and the possibilities for deployment of hormone manipulation beyond breast cancer.

Are Estrogen Receptor Genomic Aberrations Predictive of Hormone Therapy Response in Breast Cancer?

CONTEXT

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer constitutes the majority of these cancers. Hormone therapy has significantly improved clinical outcomes for early- and late-stage hormone receptor positive breast cancer. Although most patients with early stage breast cancer are treated with curative intent, approximately 20% - 30% of patients eventually experience a recurrence. During the last two decades, there have been tremendous efforts to understand the biological mechanisms of hormone therapy resistance, with the ultimate goal of implementing new therapeutic strategies to improve the current treatments for ER positive breast cancer. Several mechanisms of hormone therapy resistance have been proposed, including genetic alterations that lead to altered ER expression or ERs with changed protein sequence.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A Pubmed search was performed utilizing various related terms. Articles over the past 20 years were analyzed and selected for review.

RESULTS

On the basis of published studies, the frequencies of ESR1 (the gene encoding ER) mutations in ER positive metastatic breast cancer range from 11% to 55%. Future larger prospective studies with standardized mutation detection methods may be necessary to determine the true incidence of ESR1 mutations. ESR1 amplification in breast cancer remains a controversial issue, with numerous studies either confirmed or challenged the reports of ESR1 amplification. The combination of intra-tumor heterogeneity regarding ESR1 copy number alterations and low level ESR1 copy number increase may account for these discrepancies.

CONCLUSIONS

While numerous unknown issues on the role of ESR1 mutations in advanced breast cancer remain, these new findings will certainly deepen current knowledge on molecular evolution of breast cancer and acquired resistance to hormone therapy.

Creating chemotherapeutic-resistant breast cancer cell lines: advances and future perspectives

The development of resistance remains the most significant impediment to generating effective treatments for cancer. In the modern age of personalized medicine, it is of critical importance to understand the principles of both innate and acquired resistance to achieve the most effective therapeutic outcomes. Significant differences exist between cancer cells that exhibit innate resistance verses those that acquire resistance over time. Studying the acquisition of resistance is essential to obtaining a complete understanding of how treatments contribute to disease recurrence and progression. This review will evaluate the current understanding of chemotherapeutic resistance and its role in personalized medicine. This review will also explore how generating resistant cells in culture is essential to the development of improved cancer therapeutics.

ESR1 mutations: Pièce de résistance

Estrogen and estrogen receptor-alpha (ER) signaling are important factors in the pathogenesis and treatment of ER-positive breast cancers. Therefore targeted therapies against ER, known as endocrine therapies, are widely used in the treatment of ER-positive breast cancers. While these therapies have shown great success, de novo and acquired resistance are common. The approach to the problem of endocrine therapy resistance is two-fold: identify the mechanisms of resistance and develop alternative treatments to overcome these mechanisms. This review focuses on the progress and integration of these two aspects of resolving endocrine therapy resistance in ER-positive breast cancer patients.

Estrogen receptor alpha gene amplification in breast cancer: 25 years of debate

Twenty-five years ago, Nembrot and colleagues reported amplification of the estrogen receptor alpha gene (ESR1) in breast cancer, initiating a broad and still ongoing scientific debate on the prevalence and clinical significance of this genetic aberration, which affects one of the most important genes in breast cancer. Since then, a multitude of studies on this topic has been published, covering a wide range of divergent results and arguments. The reported prevalence of this alteration in breast cancer ranges from 0% to 75%, suggesting that ESR1 copy number analysis is hampered by technical and interpreter issues. To date, two major issues related to ESR1 amplification remain to be conclusively addressed: (1) The extent to which abundant amounts of messenger RNA can mimic amplification in standard fluorescence in situ hybridization assays in the analysis of strongly expressed genes like ESR1, and (2) the clinical relevance of ESR1 amplification: Such relevance is strongly disputed, with data showing predictive value for response as well as for resistance of the cancer to anti-estrogen therapies, or for subsequent development of cancers in the case of precursor lesions that display amplification of ESR1. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the various views on ESR1 amplification, and highlights explanations for the contradictions and conflicting data that could inform future ESR1 research.

The Detection of Genetic Parameters for Prognostic Stratification of Neuroblastoma Using Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification Technique

BACKGROUND

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a neoplasm of the sympathetic nervous system and the most frequent extra cranial solid tumor of early childhood. These tumors display a wide range of clinical behavior and are characterized by complex chromosomal changes, some of which are associated with distinct clinical phenotypes. We investigated the contribution of genetic variables to staging and histology by logistic regression analyses.

METHODS

We used multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) to detect segmental genomic imbalances and gene copy number changes in 202 primary NBs.

RESULTS

Cases with NB were categorized into four distinct groups based on the genomic changes. Group 1 (48 cases, 23.7%) contained tumors with a 1p deletion and/or MYCN gene amplification (MNA). Group 2 included 46 cases (22.8%) with 3p and/or 11q deletions without 1p deletion and MYCN gene amplification. Tumors harboring at least two commonly observed deletions with or without MNA were classified as Group 3 (25 cases, 12.4%). Tumors with chromosomal imbalance other than MYCN gene amplification and 1p, 3p, and 11q deletions were in Group 4 (83 cases, 41.1%). MYCN gene amplification and 17q gain were significant predisposing factors for unfavorable histology. Significant correlations were detected between 1p deletion and MYCN gene amplification; 3p and 11q deletions; and 11q deletion and 17q gain.

CONCLUSION

MLPA can be used effectively to simultaneously detect multiple genomic imbalances and these changes can be utilized to classify neuroblastomas by prognostic subtypes. The genetic changes detected in NB in this study and their associations with clinical characteristics are in line with previously published reports.

Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers of Endocrine Responsiveness for Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

The estrogen-dependent nature of breast cancer is the fundamental basis for endocrine therapy. The presence of estrogen receptor (ER), the therapeutic target of endocrine therapy, is a prerequisite for this therapeutic approach. However, estrogen-independent growth often exists de novo at diagnosis or develops during the course of endocrine therapy. Therefore ER alone is insufficient in predicting endocrine therapy efficacy. Several RNA-based multigene assays are now available in clinical practice to assess distant recurrence risk, with majority of these assays evaluated in patients treated with 5 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy. While MammaPrint and Oncotype Dx are most predictive of recurrence risk within the first 5 years of diagnosis, Prosigna, Breast Cancer Index (BCI), and EndoPredict Clin have also demonstrated utility in predicting late recurrence. In addition, PAM50, or Prosigna, provides further biological insights by classifying breast cancers into intrinsic molecular subtypes. Additional strategies are under investigation in prospective clinical trials to differentiate endocrine sensitive and resistant tumors and include on-treatment Ki-67 and Preoperative Endocrine Prognostic Index (PEPI) score in the setting of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy. These biomarkers have become important tools in clinical practice for the identification of low risk patients for whom chemotherapy could be avoided. However, there is much work ahead toward the development of a molecular classification that informs the biology and novel therapeutic targets in high-risk disease as chemotherapy has only modest benefit in this population. The recognition of somatic mutations and their relationship to endocrine therapy responsiveness opens important opportunities toward this goal.

Estrogen receptor mutations and functional consequences for breast cancer

A significant number of estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive breast tumors develop resistance to endocrine therapy and recur with metastatic disease. Several mechanisms of endocrine resistance have been proposed, including genetic alterations that lead to ERs with altered protein sequence. By altering the conformation of the protein and increasing the interaction with coactivators, point mutations in ESR1, the gene encoding ERα, promote an active form of the receptor in the absence of hormone that assists tumor cells to evade hormonal treatments. Recent studies have confirmed that ESR1 point mutations frequently occur in metastatic breast tumors that are refractory to endocrine therapy, and suggest the development of novel strategies that may be more effective in controlling ER signaling and benefit patients with recurrent and metastatic disease.

Targeting Breast Cancer Metastasis

Metastasis is the leading cause of breast cancer-associated deaths. Despite the significant improvement in current therapies in extending patient life, 30–40% of patients may eventually suffer from distant relapse and succumb to the disease. Consequently, a deeper understanding of the metastasis biology is key to developing better treatment strategies and achieving long-lasting therapeutic efficacies against breast cancer. This review covers recent breakthroughs in the discovery of various metastatic traits that contribute to the metastasis cascade of breast cancer, which may provide novel avenues for therapeutic targeting.

Overexpression and gene amplification of both ERBB2 and EGFR in an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma revealed by fluorescence in situ hybridization, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and immunohistochemistry

EGFR and ERBB2 belong to the EGFR gene family. In esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), amplification of EGFR or ERBB2 is usually mutually exclusive. EGFR amplification occurs in approximately 15% of SCCs, ERBB2 occurs in less than 5%. Here, we report the co-amplification of EGFR and ERBB2 in an ulcerative and infiltrating-type SCC that measured approximately 4.2 × 2.7 × 1.2 cm with a superficial lesion occurring in the thoracic esophagus of a 72-year-old man. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification using representative tumor sections showed gain of CCND1 and coincident amplification of ERBB2 or EGFR or neither. Immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that the tumor comprised three cancer-cell populations: well-differentiated SCC with high-level ERBB2 amplification and ERBB2 overexpression, more infiltrative poorly-differentiated SCC with high-level EGFR amplification and EGFR overexpression, and poorly-differentiated SCC lacking any ERBB2 or EGFR abnormality. These three populations each had low-level CCND1 amplification and nuclear cyclin D1 overexpression. This histological topology and gene amplification combinations suggested that genetic instability first produced CCND1 amplification, and then ERBB2 or EGFR gene amplification occurred. It is further speculated that during cancer progression and clonal selection indecisive predominance of either clone caused the rare co-amplification of ERBB2 and EGFR in a single chimeric tumor.

ESR1 mutations—a mechanism for acquired endocrine resistance in breast cancer

Approximately 70% of breast cancers are oestrogen receptor α (ER) positive, and are, therefore, treated with endocrine therapies. However, about 25% of patients with primary disease and almost all patients with metastases will present with or eventually develop endocrine resistance. Despite the magnitude of this clinical challenge, the mechanisms underlying the development of resistance remain largely unknown. In the past 2 years, several studies unveiled gain-of-function mutations in ESR1, the gene encoding the ER, in approximately 20% of patients with metastatic ER-positive disease who received endocrine therapies, such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors. These mutations are clustered in a 'hotspot' within the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of the ER and lead to ligand-independent ER activity that promotes tumour growth, partial resistance to endocrine therapy, and potentially enhanced metastatic capacity; thus, ER LBD mutations might account for a mechanism of acquired endocrine resistance in a substantial fraction of patients with metastatic disease. In general, the absence of detectable ESR1 mutations in patients with treatment-naive disease, and the correlation between the frequency of patients with tumours harbouring these mutations and the number of endocrine treatments received suggest that, under selective treatment pressure, clonal expansion of rare mutant clones occurs, leading to resistance. Preclinical and clinical development of rationale-based novel therapeutic strategies that inhibit these ER mutants has the potential to substantially improve treatment outcomes. We discuss the contribution of ESR1 mutations to the development of acquired resistance to endocrine therapy, and evaluate how mutated ER can be detected and targeted to overcome resistance and improve patient outcomes.

Semi-comprehensive analysis of gene amplification in gastric cancers using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and fluorescence in situ hybridization

The prognosis of patients with gastric carcinomas at an advanced stage still remains dismal, and therefore novel therapeutic modalities are urgently needed. Since the successful targeting of amplified ERBB2 with a humanized monoclonal antibody, the amplified genes of other receptor tyrosine kinases such as EGFR, FGFR2, and MET, as well as those of other cell regulator genes, are being considered as candidate targets of molecular therapy. The aim of the present study was to determine the amplification status of 26 genes, which are frequently amplified in solid cancers, in advanced gastric cancers. A total of 93 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded advanced gastric cancer tissues were examined by multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification, and 32 cases with 'gain' or 'amplified' status of 16 genes were further examined for the respective gene amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and for the respective protein overexpression by immunohistochemistry. The frequencies of gene amplifications in advanced gastric cancers were as follows: ERBB2 (13 cases, 14%), FGFR2 (7 cases, 8%), MYC (7 cases, 8%), TOP2A (7 cases, 8%), MET (4 cases, 4%), MDM2 (4 cases, 4%), CCND1 (3 cases, 3%), FGF10 (2 cases, 3%), and EGFR (1 case, 1%). Amplification of the receptor tyrosine kinases genes occurred in a mutually exclusive manner except for one tumor in which ERBB2 and FGFR2 were both amplified but in different cancer cells. Co-amplification of ERBB2 and MYC, and EGFR and CCND1, in single nuclei but on different amplicons, was confirmed in one case each. Attempts at correlating the FISH status with the immunohistochemical staining pattern showed variable results from complete concordance to no correlation. In conclusion, combination of multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification and FISH analysis is a feasible approach for obtaining the semi-comprehensive genetic information that is necessary for personalized molecular targeted therapy.

Status of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) gene in mastopathy predicts subsequent development of breast cancer

Mastopathy is a common disease of the breast likely associated with elevated estrogen levels and a putative risk factor for breast cancer. The role of estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) in mastopathy has not been investigated previously. Here, we investigated the prevalence of ESR1 gene amplification in mastopathy and its prediction for breast cancer. Paraffin-embedded tissues from 58 women with invasive breast cancer were analyzed. For all women, tissues with mastopathy taken at least 1.5 years before first diagnosis of breast cancer were available. Tissue from 46 women with mastopathy without a diagnosis of breast carcinoma in the observed time frame (12-18 years) was used as control. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis revealed that ESR1 was amplified in nine of 58 (15.5 %) breast cancers. All ESR1-amplified breast cancers were strongly positive for estrogen receptor with ER immunohistochemistry. Interestingly, in women with ESR1 amplification in breast cancer, the amplification was detectable in mastopathic tissues prior to the first diagnosis of breast cancer but was absent in tissues from women with mastopathy who did not develop breast cancer. Our study suggests that ESR1 gene amplification is an early event in breast pathology and might be a helpful predictive marker to identify patients at high risk of developing breast cancer.

Mechanisms of aromatase inhibitor resistance

Oestrogen receptor-positive (ER(+)) breast cancer is a major cause of cancer death in women. Although aromatase inhibitors suppress the function of ER and reduce the risk of recurrence, therapeutic resistance is common and essentially inevitable in advanced disease. This Review considers both genomic and cell biological explanations as to why ER(+) breast cancer cells persist, progress and cause an incurable, lethal, systemic disease. The design and outcomes of clinical trials are considered with the perspective that resistance mechanisms are heterogeneous, and therefore biomarker and somatic mutation-based stratification and eligibility will be essential for improvements in patient outcomes.

A cluster of noncoding RNAs activates the ESR1 locus during breast cancer adaptation

Estrogen receptor-α (ER)-positive breast cancer cells undergo hormone-independent proliferation after deprivation of oestrogen, leading to endocrine therapy resistance. Up-regulation of the ER gene (ESR1) is critical for this process, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we show that the combination of transcriptome and fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses revealed that oestrogen deprivation induced a cluster of noncoding RNAs that defined a large chromatin domain containing the ESR1 locus. We termed these RNAs as Eleanors (ESR1 locus enhancing and activating noncoding RNAs). Eleanors were present in ER-positive breast cancer tissues and localized at the transcriptionally active ESR1 locus to form RNA foci. Depletion of one Eleanor, upstream (u)-Eleanor, impaired cell growth and transcription of intragenic Eleanors and ESR1 mRNA, indicating that Eleanors cis-activate the ESR1 gene. Eleanor-mediated gene activation represents a new type of locus control mechanism and plays an essential role in the adaptation of breast cancer cells.

Estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer cells undergo hormone-independent proliferation after long-term oestrogen deprivation and become resistant to endocrine therapies. Here, the authors report a cluster of noncoding RNAs important for this adaptation process.

Pathological examination of breast cancer biomarkers: current status in Japan

This article reviews the current status of pathological evaluation for biomarkers in Japan. The introduced issues are the international trends for estimation of biomarkers considering diagnosis and treatment decision, and pathological issues under discussion, and how Japanese Breast Cancer Society (JBCS) members have addressed issues related to pathology and biomarkers evaluation. As topics of immunohistochemical study, (1) ASCO/CAP guidelines, (2) Ki67 and other markers, (3) quantification and image analysis, (4) application of cytologic samples, (5) pre-analytical process, and (6) Japan Pathology Quality Assurance System are introduced. Various phases of concepts, guidelines, and methodologies are co-existed in today's clinical practice. It is expected in near future that conventional methods and molecular procedures will be emerged, and Japanese Quality assurance/Quality control (QA/QC) system will work practically. What we have to do in the next generation are to validate novel procedures, to evaluate the relationship between traditional concepts and newly proposed ideas, to establish a well organized QA/QC system, and to standardize pre-analytical process that are the basis of all procedures using pathological tissues.

Clonal profiling of mixed lobular and ductal carcinoma revealed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and fluorescence in situ hybridization

A needle biopsy of a mass in the right breast of a 36-year-old woman revealed invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), and approximately 20% of cancer cells showed unequivocal membranous staining with the HercepTest. After systemic therapy with trastuzumab and paclitaxel followed by FEC (fluorouracil + epirubicin + cyclophosphamide), a right mastectomy was performed. By histological and immunohistochemical examinations, the resected tumor consisted mainly of E-cadherin-negative invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), and the rest was ERBB2-positive IDC; thus, the diagnosis was mixed ductal and lobular carcinoma. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses revealed that ILC and IDC shared high-level amplification of CCND1 in homogeneously staining regions (HSR) and that IDC had an additional HSR-type amplicon of ERBB2. These findings strongly indicate that IDC and ILC had a common precursor cell with CCND1 amplification. Review of the biopsy specimen with FISH showed IDC with gene amplifications of CCND1 and ERBB2 as a minor component, IDC without amplification of CCND1 or ERBB2 as a major component, and a minute portion of ILC with CCND1 amplification. We speculate that chemotherapy and trastuzumab caused a marked reduction in IDC; however, ILC with CCND1 amplification was resistant to chemotherapy and grew.

Drug resistance to targeted therapies: déjà vu all over again

A major limitation of targeted anticancer therapies is intrinsic or acquired resistance. This review emphasizes similarities in the mechanisms of resistance to endocrine therapies in breast cancer and those seen with the new generation of targeted cancer therapeutics. Resistance to single-agent cancer therapeutics is frequently the result of reactivation of the signaling pathway, indicating that a major limitation of targeted agents lies in their inability to fully block the cancer-relevant signaling pathway. The development of mechanism-based combinations of targeted therapies together with non-invasive molecular disease monitoring is a logical way forward to delay and ultimately overcome drug resistance development.

Absence of estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) gene amplification in a series of breast cancers in Taiwan

Immunohistochemical expression of ERα, encoded by the ESR1 (estrogen receptor 1) gene located at 6q25.1, is the most important determinant of responsiveness to endocrine therapy in breast cancer. The prevalence and significance of ESR1 amplification in breast cancer remain controversial. We set out to assess ESR1 status and its relevance in breast cancer in Taiwan. We tested tissue samples from 311 invasive carcinomas in a tissue microarray for ESR1 status by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH). In order to examine its association with ERα and ESR1 status, HER2 status was determined by FISH. Of the carcinomas, 58.8 % (183/311) was ERα positive. None of the carcinomas showed amplification of ESR1 by either method, whereas 24.1 % (75/311) of the carcinomas harbored HER2 amplification. Of the carcinomas, 9.6 % (26/301) showed ESR1 gain (1.3 ≤ ratio ESR1/chromosome 6 < 2) by FISH and 10 % (24/299) by CISH. FISH and CISH results showed a good correlation (κ-coefficient = 0.786). ESR1 gain by FISH and CISH was significantly associated with high-grade (P = 0.0294 and 0.0417, respectively) but not with ERα expression, HER2 status, or overall survival. ERα positivity was significantly associated with better overall survival (P = 0.039). HER2 amplification was significantly related with poor overall survival (P = 0.002). Our data confirm that in breast cancer, HER2 amplification is a frequent genetic aberration and a negative prognostic factor, and show that ESR1 amplification is not a key genetic abnormality in the tumorigenesis of breast cancer in Taiwan.

Prognostic and predictive value of copy number alterations in invasive breast cancer as determined by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. About 70 % of breast cancers are estrogen receptor (ER) positive. Blocking estrogen action by tamoxifen has been the treatment of choice in ER positive breast cancers for more than 30 years. In the past, several studies have revealed associations between gene copy number alterations and responsiveness to tamoxifen therapy, but so far no single gene copy number alteration could completely explain the response variation observed between individual breast cancer patients. Here, we set out to perform a simultaneous analysis of copy number alterations of several genes involved in the prognosis and response to therapy by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA).

METHODS

A case-control study was designed encompassing 170 non-metastatic ER positive breast cancer patients (case group = 85, control group = 85). All patients in the control group had received standard adjuvant tamoxifen treatment for 5 years without any evidence of recurrence. Patients in the case group had experienced early recurrences while receiving tamoxifen treatment. 76 % of the patients of the case group and 73 % of the patients of the control group had received anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy. Gene copy number alterations detected by MLPA in both groups were compared.

RESULTS

Amplification of CCND1 (OR = 3.13; 95 % CI = 1.35 to 7.26; p = 0.006) and TOP2A (OR = 3.05; 95 % CI = 1.13 to 8.24; p = 0.022) were significantly more prevalent in the case group, compared to the control group. In a multivariate analysis CCND1 (p = 0.01) and TOP2A (p = 0.041) amplifications remained significant predictors of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that CCND1 amplification may serve as a useful biomarker for hormone responsiveness, and that TOP2A amplification may serve as a useful prognostic biomarker.

ESR1 amplification in breast cancer by optimized RNase FISH: frequent but low-level and heterogeneous

Prevalence of ESR1 amplification in breast cancer is highly disputed and discrepancies have been related to different technical protocols and different scoring approaches. In addition, pre-mRNA artifacts have been proposed to influence outcome of ESR1 FISH analysis. We analyzed ESR1 gene copy number status combining an improved RNase FISH protocol with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) after laser microdissection. FISH showed a high prevalence of ESR1 gains and amplifications despite RNase treatment but MLPA did not confirm ESR1 copy number increases detected by FISH in more than half of cases. We suggest that the combination of the ESR1-specific intra-tumor heterogeneity and low-level copy number increase accounts for these discrepancies.

Intratumoral heterogeneous amplification of ERBB2 and subclonal genetic diversity in gastric cancers revealed by multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification and fluorescence in situ hybridization

A humanized monoclonal antibody against ERBB2 is used in neoadjuvant therapy for patients with gastric cancer. A critical factor in determining patient eligibility and predicting outcomes of this therapy is the intratumoral heterogeneity of ERBB2 amplification in gastric adenocarcinomas. The aims of this study are to assess the underlying mechanisms of intratumoral heterogeneity of ERBB2 amplification; to characterize the diversity of coamplified oncogenes such as EGFR, FGFR2, MET, MYC, CCND1, and MDM2; and to examine the usefulness of multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) in the semicomprehensive detection of these gene amplifications. A combined analysis of immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed ERBB2-amplified cancer cells in 51 of 475 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded gastric adenocarcinomas. The fraction of amplification-positive cells in each tumor ranged from less than 10% to almost 100%. Intratumoral heterogeneity of ERBB2 amplification, defined as less than 50% of cancer cells positive for ERBB2 amplification, was found in 41% (21/51) of ERBB2-amplified tumors. The combined analysis of MLPA and fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that ERBB2 was coamplified with EGFR in 7 tumors, FGFR2 in 1 tumor, and FGFR2 and MET in 1 tumor; however, the respective genes were amplified in mutually exclusive cells. Coamplified ERBB2 and MYC coexisted within single nuclei in 4 tumors, and one of these cases had suspected coamplification in the same amplicon of ERBB2 with MYC. In conclusion, the amplification status of ERBB2 and other genes can be obtained semicomprehensively by MLPA and could be useful to plan individualized molecularly targeted therapy against gastric cancers.

Prognostic significance of ESR1 amplification and ESR1 PvuII, CYP2C19*2, UGT2B15*2 polymorphisms in breast cancer patients

Introduction

Amplification of the ESR1 gene, coding for estrogen receptor alpha, was shown to predict responsiveness to tamoxifen, however its prognostic impact in breast cancer patients has not been thoroughly investigated. Other factors that could contribute to responsiveness to tamoxifen treatment are polymorphisms in ESR1 gene and genes involved in tamoxifen metabolism.

The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic role of ESR1 gene dosage in a consecutive group of breast cancer patients and to correlate this feature with clinico-pathological factors. Additionally, ESR1 PvuII, CYP2C19*2 and UGT2B15*2 polymorphisms were analyzed in the tamoxifen-treated subgroup of patients.

Materials and Methods

Primary tumor samples from 281 stage I-III consecutive breast cancer patients were analyzed for ESR1 gene dosage using real-time PCR with locked nucleic acids hydrolysis probes. In the tamoxifen-treated subgroup of patients, ESR1 PvuII, CYP2C19*2 and UGT2B15*2 polymorphism in leukocytes genomic DNA were analyzed. Results were correlated with clinico-pathological factors and with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

ESR1 amplification (with a cut-off level of 2.0) was found in 12% of the entire group of breast cancer patients, and in 18% of the ER-negative subgroup. This feature was associated with decreased DFS both in the entire group (P=0.007) and in the ER-negative subgroup (P=0.03), but not in the tamoxifen-treated patients.

Patients with ESR1 PvuII wt/wt genotype and at least one UGT2B15 wt allele had a worse DFS (P=0.03) and showed a trend towards decreased Os (P=0.08) in comparison to patients with ESR1 PvuII wt/vt or vt/vt genotype and UGT2B15 *2/*2 genotype.

Conclusions

ESR1 amplification can occur in ER-negative tumors and may carry poor prognosis. In the tamoxifen-treated subgroup, poor prognosis was related to the combined presence of ESR1 PvuII wt/wt and UGT2B15wt/wt or wt/*2 genotype.

Prognostic significance of ESR1 gene amplification, mRNA/protein expression and functional profiles in high-risk early breast cancer: a translational study of the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group (HeCOG)

BACKGROUND

Discrepant data have been published on the incidence and prognostic significance of ESR1 gene amplification in early breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor blocks were collected from women with early breast cancer participating in two HeCOG adjuvant trials. Messenger RNA was studied by quantitative PCR, ER protein expression was centrally assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and ESR1 gene copy number by dual fluorescent in situ hybridization probes.

RESULTS

In a total of 1010 women with resected node-positive early breast adenocarcinoma, the tumoral ESR1/CEP6 gene ratio was suggestive of deletion in 159 (15.7%), gene gain in 551 (54.6%) and amplification in 42 cases (4.2%), with only 30 tumors (3%) harboring five or more ESR1 copies. Gene copy number ratio showed a significant, though weak correlation to mRNA and protein expression (Spearman's Rho <0.23, p = 0.01). ESR1 clusters were observed in 9.5% (57 gain, 38 amplification) of cases. In contrast to mRNA and protein expression, which were favorable prognosticators, gene copy number changes did not obtain prognostic significance. When ESR1/CEP6 gene ratio was combined with function (as defined by ER protein and mRNA expression) in a molecular classifier, the Gene Functional profile, it was functional status that impacted on prognosis. In univariate analysis, patients with functional tumors (positive ER protein expression and gene ratio normal or gain/amplification) fared better than those with non-functional tumors with ESR1 gain (HR for relapse or death 0.49-0.64, p = 0.003). Significant interactions were observed between gene gain/amplification and paclitaxel therapy (trend for DFS benefit from paclitaxel only in patients with ESR1 gain/amplification, p = 0.066) and Gene Functional profile with HER2 amplification (Gene Functional profile prognostic only in HER2-normal cases, p = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

ESR1 gene deletion and amplification do not constitute per se prognostic markers, instead they can be classified to distinct prognostic groups according to their protein-mediated functional status.

Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) in tumor diagnostics and prognostics

The increasing knowledge about genetic alterations and molecular biomarkers in cancer initiation and progression opens new possibilities for the treatment of various types of cancer. This requires the inclusion of sensitive, and preferably multiplex, methods for the detection of molecular genetic alterations in the toolbox of classic pathology. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) is a multiplex polymerase chain reaction-based method that can detect changes in the gene copy number status, DNA methylation, and point mutations simultaneously. MLPA probes recognize target sequences of only 50 to 100 nucleotides in length. This makes it possible to use MLPA even on highly fragmented DNA, and allows the detection of small deletions encompassing only a single exon. MLPA is a reliable, cost-effective, and robust method that can be performed using a standard thermocycler and capillary electrophoresis equipment, generating results within 24 hours with a short hands-on working time. Up to 50 different genomic locations can be tested in a single reaction, which can be sufficient to detect those genetic alterations that are of diagnostic and prognostic significance in a certain tumor entity. In the last years, MLPA has been used successfully in tumor diagnostics and in cancer research. This review gives an overview on the collected experience of MLPA applications on tumor DNA, about the advantages but also potential pitfalls and limitations of this technique.

Clinical significance of ESR1 gene copy number changes in breast cancer as measured by fluorescence in situ hybridisation

AIMS

The ESR1 gene encodes for oestrogen receptor (ER) α, which plays a crucial role in mammary carcinogenesis and clinical outcome in patients with breast cancer. However, the clinical significance of the ESR1 gene copy number change for breast cancer has not been clarified.

METHODS

ESR1 gene copy number was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) on tissue sections. A minimum of 20 tumour cells were counted per section, and a FISH ratio of ESR1 gene to CEP6 ≥ 2.0 was considered ESR1 amplification. A ratio >1.2 but <2.0 was considered ESR1 gain. The ESR1 copy number was further measured by quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) with ASXL2 as a reference.

RESULTS

FISH revealed ESR1 amplification in six cases (4.0%) and ESR1 gain in 13 cases (8.7%) from a total of 150 cases. ESR1 gain and amplification were more common in older patients (p<0.001), and correlated well with ER protein expression (p=0.03) measured by immunohistochemistry, and ESR1 copy number (p<0.001) measured by Q-PCR. Furthermore, the multivariate analysis revealed that ESR1 amplification was associated with a shorter disease-free survival (HR=5.56, p=0.03) and a shorter overall survival (HR=5.11, p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

In general, the frequency of ESR1 amplification in breast cancer is low when measured by FISH in large sections. ESR1 gain and amplification in breast cancer may be associated with older age and poorer outcomes.

Detection of kinase amplifications in gastric cancer archives using fluorescence in situ hybridization

To test the feasibility of using bacterial artificial chromosomes (BAC) containing kinases for pathological diagnosis using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), 10 BAC probes containing a gene amplified in 5% or more of a pilot cohort were selected from a previous survey using arbitrarily selected BAC clones harboring 100 kinases. In this report, we describe the prevalence and association with the clinicopathological profile of these selected 10 BAC probes in 365 gastric cancer tissues. FISH analyses using these 10 BAC probes containing loci encoding EGFR, ERBB2(HER2), EPHB3, PIK3CA, MET, PTK7, ACK1, STK15, SRC, and HCK showed detectable amplifications in paraffin-embedded tissue in 2.83% to 13.6% of the gastric cancer tissues. Considerable numbers of the cases showed the co-amplification of two or more of the probes that were tested. BAC probes located within a genome neighborhood, such as PIK3CA, EPHB3, and ACK1 at 3q26-29 or HCK, SRC, and STK15 at 20q11-13.1, were often co-amplified in the same cases, but non-random co-amplifications of genes at distant genomic loci were also observed. These findings provide basic information regarding the creation of a strategy for personalizing gastric cancer therapy, especially when using multiple kinase inhibitors.

ESR1 gene status correlates with estrogen receptor protein levels measured by ligand binding assay and immunohistochemistry

The Estrogen Receptor (ER) is an established predictive marker for the selection of adjuvant endocrine treatment in early breast cancer. During the 1990s Immunohistochemistry (IHC) replaced cytosol based assays for determination of ER status. This study examined the association between ER protein level determined by two different methods and ESR1 gene copy number. From 289 primary high-risk breast cancer patients, randomized in the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group (DBCG) 77C trial, results from cytosolic ER levels were available from ligand binding assays. Archival tumor tissue was retrieved from 257 patients. ESR1/CEN-6 ratio was analyzed successfully by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) in 220 (86%) patients. ESR1 amplification (ESR1/CEN-6 ≥ 2.00) was observed in 23% of the patients and ESR1 deletion (ESR1/CEN-6 < 0.80) was observed in 32%. Further, we identified ESR1 gain (ratio ESR1/CEN-6 from 1.30 to 1.99) in 19% of the patients. A positive correlation of ESR1 FISH with both ER-cytosol and ER IHC was found (p < 0.0001). Amplification and gain of the ESR1 gene are associated with higher ER protein content measured by ligand binding assay and a more intense nuclear staining by IHC compared to tumors with normal ESR1 gene status. Major variations in ER measured by ligand binding assay and IHC are observed within all ESR1 copy number subgroups and other mechanisms than gene copy number seem to contribute to the ER protein content in the tumors.

ESR1 amplification in breast cancer: controversy resolved?

The determination of oestrogen receptor α (ERα) expression in breast cancers has been for many years the standard of care for guiding patient management. In 2007, Holst and colleagues published the previously unappreciated observation that the ERα gene, ESR1, was amplified in 21% of breast cancers, and that ESR1 gene amplification identified those individuals with high ERα expression in their tumours and who were likely to respond to hormonal manipulation. This has been a controversial area. Others have tried to reproduce these findings but the results have been mixed with respect to amplification frequency, and even contradictory with respect to prognostic and predictive value. The controversy may have now been resolved. Ooi et al, in this issue of the journal, show that the large clustered FISH signals that have been interpreted as ESR1 amplification are sensitive to RNase treatment, indicating that FISH is detecting accumulation of ESR1 transcripts in the nucleus of breast cancer cells expressing high levels of ERα, rather than gene amplification events. This story has important lessons for translational cancer research, and in particular FISH studies of gene copy number.