1
|
Alinger-Scharinger B, Kronberger C, Hutarew G, Hitzl W, Reitsamer R, Frederike KF, Hager M, Fischer T, Sotlar K, Jaksch-Bogensperger H. HER2 copy number determination in breast cancer using the highly sensitive droplet digital PCR method. Virchows Arch 2024; 485:53-62. [PMID: 37996704 PMCID: PMC11271376 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-023-03706-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER)-positive breast cancer (BC) is characterized by an aggressive clinical course. In the case of HER2 overexpression/amplification, patients benefit from HER2-targeting therapies. Standardized diagnostic HER2 assessment includes immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or in situ hybridization (ISH). The aim of this study was to compare this "gold standard" with the Droplet Digital™ polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), a method that allows sensitive and precise detection of copy number variations (CNV) in FFPE (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded) DNA samples. Partitioning of the PCR reaction into 20,000 droplets enables a precise quantitative "CN" discrimination also in heterogeneous samples. FFPE breast cancer samples (n = 170) with routinely assessed HER2 status by IHC/ISH were retrospectively analyzed using the ddPCR CNV ERBB2 assay. Comparison of HER2 status assessment by the two methods revealed concordant results in 92.9% (158/170) of the cases. Discrepant cases were verified and interpreted. For ddPCR, a cut off value of 3 HER2 copies was set to distinguish between HER2-negative and HER2-positive BC. Results obtained with the ddPCR CNV ERBB2 assay were consistent and reproducible, and serial dilutions demonstrated a high stability and sensitivity of the method. The ddPCR CNV ERBB2 assay may be a specific and convenient tool to quantify HER2 copy numbers in BC samples. In our study, this method showed high reproducibility in accuracy of HER2 assessment compared to IHC/ISH analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beate Alinger-Scharinger
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital and Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Muellner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Cornelia Kronberger
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital and Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Muellner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Georg Hutarew
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital and Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Muellner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Hitzl
- Research Management and Technology Transfer, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Strubergasse 16, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
- Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Muellner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
- Research Program Experimental Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Research, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Muellner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Roland Reitsamer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinical Research Center Salzburg (CRCS), University Hospital and Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Muellner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Klaassen-Federspiel Frederike
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinical Research Center Salzburg (CRCS), University Hospital and Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Muellner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Martina Hager
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital and Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Muellner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Thorsten Fischer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinical Research Center Salzburg (CRCS), University Hospital and Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Muellner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Karl Sotlar
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital and Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Muellner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Heidi Jaksch-Bogensperger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinical Research Center Salzburg (CRCS), University Hospital and Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Muellner Hauptstraße 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hart V, Gautrey H, Kirby J, Tyson-Capper A. HER2 splice variants in breast cancer: investigating their impact on diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Oncotarget 2020; 11:4338-4357. [PMID: 33245725 PMCID: PMC7679030 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of the HER2 receptor occurs in approximately 20% of breast cancer patients. HER2 positivity is associated with poor prognosis and aggressive tumour phenotypes, which led to rapid progress in HER2 targeted therapeutics and diagnostic testing. Whilst these advances have greatly increased patients' chances of survival, resistance to HER2 targeted therapies, be that intrinsic or acquired, remains a problem. Different forms of the HER2 protein exist within tumours in tandem and can display altered biological activities. Interest in HER2 variants in breast cancer increased when links between resistance to anti-HER2 therapies and a particular variant, Δ16-HER2, were identified. Moreover, the P100 variant potentially reduces the efficacy of the anti-HER2 therapy trastuzumab. Another variant, Herstatin, exhibits 'auto-inhibitory' behaviour. More recently, new HER2 variants have been identified and are currently being assessed for their pro- and anti-cancer properties. It is important when directing the care of patients to consider HER2 variants collectively. This review considers HER2 variants in the context of the tumour environment where multiple variants are co-expressed at altered ratios. This study also provides an up to date account of the landscape of HER2 variants and links this to patterns of resistance against HER2 therapies and treatment plans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vic Hart
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Hannah Gautrey
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - John Kirby
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Alison Tyson-Capper
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ortega S, Halicek M, Fabelo H, Callico GM, Fei B. Hyperspectral and multispectral imaging in digital and computational pathology: a systematic review [Invited]. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2020; 11:3195-3233. [PMID: 32637250 PMCID: PMC7315999 DOI: 10.1364/boe.386338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and multispectral imaging (MSI) technologies have the potential to transform the fields of digital and computational pathology. Traditional digitized histopathological slides are imaged with RGB imaging. Utilizing HSI/MSI, spectral information across wavelengths within and beyond the visual range can complement spatial information for the creation of computer-aided diagnostic tools for both stained and unstained histological specimens. In this systematic review, we summarize the methods and uses of HSI/MSI for staining and color correction, immunohistochemistry, autofluorescence, and histopathological diagnostic research. Studies include hematology, breast cancer, head and neck cancer, skin cancer, and diseases of central nervous, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems. The use of HSI/MSI suggest an improvement in the detection of diseases and clinical practice compared with traditional RGB analysis, and brings new opportunities in histological analysis of samples, such as digital staining or alleviating the inter-laboratory variability of digitized samples. Nevertheless, the number of studies in this field is currently limited, and more research is needed to confirm the advantages of this technology compared to conventional imagery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Ortega
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
- Institute for Applied Microelectronics (IUMA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Campus de Tafira, 35017, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Martin Halicek
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Inst. of Tech. and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Himar Fabelo
- Institute for Applied Microelectronics (IUMA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Campus de Tafira, 35017, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Gustavo M Callico
- Institute for Applied Microelectronics (IUMA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Campus de Tafira, 35017, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Baowei Fei
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Advanced Imaging Research Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Radiology, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fabricio ASC, Michilin S, Zancan M, Agnolon V, Peloso L, Dittadi R, Scapinello A, Ceccarelli C, Gion M. Shed HER2 surrogacy evaluation in primary breast cancer patients: a study assessing tumor tissue HER2 expression at both extracellular and intracellular levels. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation 2019; 79:260-267. [PMID: 30982358 DOI: 10.1080/00365513.2019.1600200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate serum HER2 extracellular domain (ECD) as a putative surrogate marker of the shedding phenomenon of HER2 receptor from the tumor tissue of primary breast cancer (BC) patients. A pilot retrospective study was conducted on 100 matched serum and tissue samples from patients with node-positive primary BC, stage II/III. Analysis of association and concordance between serum HER2 ECD levels (measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay) and the expression in matched tumor tissue of HER2 ECD and intracellular receptor domain (ICD) (determined by immunohistochemistry) were performed. The median serum HER2 ECD level was 9.4 ng/ml and cutoff values were set at 15.2 ng/ml or 13.0 ng/ml. HER2 ICD and ECD were overexpressed in tumor tissue of 19.8% and 6.9% of patients, respectively. Statistically significant associations were found between serum HER2 ECD levels and tissue expression of both HER2 ICD and ECD (p < .001; Fisher analysis). Moreover, strong concordances were found between serum HER2 ECD levels and tissue expression of HER2 ICD or ECD (cutoff 15.2 ng/ml: 80 and 92.5%, respectively). Our findings support a role for serum HER2 ECD as a surrogate marker of tissue HER2 status in primary BC, both for HER2 ICD or ECD expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aline S C Fabricio
- a Regional Center for Biomarkers, Department of Clinical Pathology and Transfusion Medicine , Azienda ULSS 3 Serenissima, Regional Hospital , Venice , Italy
| | - Silvia Michilin
- a Regional Center for Biomarkers, Department of Clinical Pathology and Transfusion Medicine , Azienda ULSS 3 Serenissima, Regional Hospital , Venice , Italy
| | - Matelda Zancan
- b Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV), IRCCS , Padua , Italy
| | - Valentina Agnolon
- a Regional Center for Biomarkers, Department of Clinical Pathology and Transfusion Medicine , Azienda ULSS 3 Serenissima, Regional Hospital , Venice , Italy
| | - Lucia Peloso
- a Regional Center for Biomarkers, Department of Clinical Pathology and Transfusion Medicine , Azienda ULSS 3 Serenissima, Regional Hospital , Venice , Italy
| | - Ruggero Dittadi
- c Laboratory Analysis Unit, Department of Clinical Pathology and Transfusion Medicine , Dell'Angelo Hospital, Azienda ULSS 3 Serenissima , Mestre-Venice , Italy
| | - Antonio Scapinello
- d Department of Pathology , General Regional Hospital, Azienda ULSS 2 Marca Trevigiana , Castelfranco Veneto , Italy
| | - Claudio Ceccarelli
- e Department of Specialized, Experimental, and Diagnostic Medicine - DIMES , University of Bologna, Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi , Bologna , Italy
| | - Massimo Gion
- a Regional Center for Biomarkers, Department of Clinical Pathology and Transfusion Medicine , Azienda ULSS 3 Serenissima, Regional Hospital , Venice , Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Biomarker analysis of the NeoSphere study: pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and docetaxel versus trastuzumab plus docetaxel, pertuzumab plus trastuzumab, or pertuzumab plus docetaxel for the neoadjuvant treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2017; 19:16. [PMID: 28183321 PMCID: PMC5299741 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-017-0806-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background NeoSphere showed significantly higher pathologic complete response (pCR) with neoadjuvant pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and docetaxel compared with trastuzumab plus docetaxel, pertuzumab plus trastuzumab, or pertuzumab plus docetaxel. We assessed associations between human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) pathway-related biomarkers and clinical outcome in response to these regimens. Methods Tumor, serum, and whole blood samples were collected at baseline and post neoadjuvant treatment before surgery. Associations between biomarkers and pCR, and between biomarkers and clinical variables were assessed in the overall and estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and ER-negative populations. Changes in serum marker levels between baseline and post-neoadjuvant treatment were examined. Results No markers were associated with pCR across all groups; however, significant associations were observed for two markers in individual groups. High HER2 was significantly associated with higher pCR rates (P = 0.001) and a significant treatment interaction (P = 0.0236) with pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and docetaxel (odds ratio 2.07, P = 0.01). Low serum transforming growth factor alpha (TGFα) was associated with higher pCR rates with pertuzumab plus trastuzumab (P = 0.04) without a significant treatment interaction. Presence of truncated HER2 did not affect pCR. A non-significant decreased pCR benefit was observed consistently across groups in patients with mutated PIK3CA while the treatment benefit from pertuzumab was maintained when comparing the trastuzumab plus docetaxel and pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and docetaxel groups. Notably, PIK3CA exon 9 mutations were associated with residual disease (pooled groups), which was not found for exon 20 mutations. Serum HER2 extracellular domain levels were significantly increased between baseline and post-neoadjuvant treatment in the non-trastuzumab-treated group, and decreased in the trastuzumab-containing groups (likely due to trastuzumab’s mechanism of action). Differences in biomarker profiles according to ER status were observed. Conclusions The observed associations of HER2 protein levels with sensitivity to pertuzumab, and of PIK3CA exon 9 mutation to lack of sensitivity to HER2-targeted monoclonal antibody treatment, warrant further investigation. Previously reported findings of truncated forms of HER2 as resistance markers to HER2-targeted treatment could not be confirmed in NeoSphere. Conventional HER2 assessment should continue and HER2 remains the only biomarker suitable for patient selection in this population. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00545688. Registered on 16 October 2007. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13058-017-0806-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
|
6
|
Brennan M, Lim B. The Actual Role of Receptors as Cancer Markers, Biochemical and Clinical Aspects: Receptors in Breast Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 867:327-37. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-017-7215-0_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|
7
|
Abstract
The field of anatomic pathology has changed significantly over the last decades and, as a result of the technological developments in molecular pathology and genetics, has had increasing pressures put on it to become quantitative and to provide more information about protein expression on a cellular level in tissue sections. Multispectral imaging (MSI) has a long history as an advanced imaging modality and has been used for over a decade now in pathology to improve quantitative accuracy, enable the analysis of multicolor immunohistochemistry, and drastically reduce the impact of contrast-robbing tissue autofluorescence common in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. When combined with advanced software for the automated segmentation of different tissue morphologies (eg, tumor vs stroma) and cellular and subcellular segmentation, MSI can enable the per-cell quantitation of many markers simultaneously. This article covers the role that MSI has played in anatomic pathology in the analysis of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections, discusses the technological aspects of why MSI has been adopted, and provides a review of the literature of the application of MSI in anatomic pathology.
Collapse
|