Impact of HER2 and PTEN simultaneous deregulation in non-small cell lung carcinoma: correlation with biological behavior

Platelet Derived Growth Factor-B and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 Polymorphisms in Gall Bladder Cancer

Gall bladder cancer (GBC) is a gastro-intestinal cancer with high prevalence among north Indian women. Platelet derived growth factor-B (PDGFB) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) may play roles in the etiology of GBC through the inflammation-hyperplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma pathway. To study the association of PDGFB and HER2 polymorphisms with risk of GBC, 200 cases and 300 controls were considered. PDGFB +286A>G and +1135A>C polymorphisms were investigated with an amplification refractory mutation system and the HER2 Ile655Val polymorphism by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Significant risk associations for PDGFB +286 GG (OR=5.25) and PDGFB +1135 CC (OR=3.19) genotypes were observed for GBC. Gender wise stratification revealed susceptibility for recessive models of PDGFB +1135A>C (OR=3.00) and HER2 Ile655Val (OR=2.52) polymorphisms among female GBC cases. GBC cases with gall stones were predisposed to homozygous +286 GG and +1135 CC genotypes. Significant risk associations were found for ACIle (OR=1.48), GAVal (OR=1.70), GAIle (OR=2.00) haplotypes with GBC cases and GCIle haplotype with female GBC cases (OR=10.37, P=<0.0001). Pair-wise linkage disequilibrium revealed negative associations among variant alleles. On multi-dimensional reduction analysis, a three factor model revealed significant gene-gene interaction for PDGFB +286A>G, PDGFB +1135A>C and HER2 Ile165Val SNPs with GBC. Protein-protein interaction showed significant association of PDGFB and HER2 with the epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway.

Association of high LDH and low glucose levels in pleural space with HER2 expression in non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Evidence shows direct link of HER2 to increased glycolysis and over production of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). HER2 overexpression, high LDH and low glucose pleural levels are associated with poor prognosis in lung cancer. Here, their relationships were investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HER2 positivity was studied using immunohistochemistry in non-small cell lung cancer. Glucose and LDH levels were measured using commercial colorimetric kits.

RESULTS

Of 42 patients (29 adenocarcinoma and 13 squamous cell carcinoma), 28 (66.7%) were HER2-negative, 14 (33.3%) were HER2- positive, including 9 (21.4%) weakly stained (1+) and 5 (11.9%) moderately stained (2+) samples. The relationship between HER2 and glucose and LDH levels were tested in 20 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients who had simultaneous pleural and serum samples. Pleural and serum LDH levels were increased, and pleural glucose levels were decreased with the scale of HER2 positivity, and that the difference in glucose levels between HER2-negative group and HER2- positive patients scored at 2+ reached statistical significance (p=0.02). This latter group all had pleural glucose levels below 40 mg/dl.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time, we showed a significant association between low pleural glucose level and overexpression of HER2 in lung cancer. Further investigations are warranted to disclose the association of HER2 with low pleural glucose levels in other populations, with a larger sample size, in malignant pleural effusions caused by other types of cancer, and finally to assess employment as a screening tool for finding HER2-positive cases of lung cancer.

Correlation of HER-2/Neu protein expression and HER2 gene amplification with clinical morphological parameters of nonsmall cell lung cancer

A total of 218 operation specimens from patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer were examined. The expression of HER-2 protein was studied by the immunohistochemical method, amplification of HER2 gene and centromere part of chromosome 17 (CEP17) - by the in situ chromogenic hybridization method. Moderate correlation (r=0.38, p<0.001) between the immunohistochemical status and HER2 gene amplification was detected. A relationship between TNM clinical morphological parameters and HER-2 protein content and chromosome 17 polysomia (for N parameter), HER-2 protein content, and HER2 gene amplification (for tumor histogenesis) was detected. The content of HER-2 protein and amplification of HER2 and CEP17 correlated with the clinical morphological parameters of patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer.

HER2 expression in ovarian mucinous carcinomas in Tunisia

BACKGROUND

Ovarian mucinous carcinoma has a poor prognosis in advanced stages and a poor response to conventional chemotherapy. An efficient treatment is not yet available. We heere investigated HER2 expression and the potential for trastuzumab therapy in ovarian mucinous tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Immunohistochemistry was performed in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from 27 ovarian mucinous tumors including 14 carcinomas and 13 borderline tumors diagnosed in the Pathology Department, Farhet Hached Hospital, Sousse, between 1993 and 2013. The HercepTest (DAKO) was used for immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

HER2 expression was observed in only one borderline tumor (7.7%) and in 14.3% of mucinous carcinomas of the ovary.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that trastuzumab therapy would be an option for patients with mucinous carcinoma when the tumor has HER2 overexpression.