Prognostic Value of ERBB2 Amplification and Protein Expression in Small Cell Lung Cancer

• Published in: Archivos de bronconeumología (English ed.) 2008-03, Vol.44 (3), p.122-126
• Main Authors: Cebollero-Presmanes, María, Sánchez-Mora, Nora, García-Gómez, Ramón, Herranz Aladro, María Luisa, Álvarez-Fernández, Emilio
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; spa
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; c-erbB-2; Carcinoma microcítico de pulmón; Carcinoma, Small Cell - genetics; Carcinoma, Small Cell - mortality; ERBB2 oncogene; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms - genetics; Lung Neoplasms - mortality; Male; Middle Aged; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; Prognosis; Pronóstico; Protein Biosynthesis - genetics; Receptor, ErbB-2 - genetics; SSmall cell carcinoma of the lung; Survival Rate
• ISSN: 1579-2129; 0300-2896; 1579-2129
• DOI: 10.1016/S1579-2129(08)60025-7

Our objective was to evaluate ERBB2 oncogene amplification using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and protein overexpression using immunohistochemical techniques, and to explore their possible prognostic value in a series of patients with small cell carcinoma. Included in the study were 99 patients with small cell tumors, classified in 2 broad groups: patients with limited or locally advanced disease and patients with disseminated disease. Material for study was obtained in 97% of the cases (96/99) by means of endoscopic biopsy and by tomography-guided needle biopsy in the remaining 3% (3/99). Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The 92 men (92.9%) and 7 women (7.1%) in the study had a mean (SD) age of 62.9 (10.4) years (range, 36–81 years); 39.4% (n=39) and 60.6% (n=60) of the subjects had limited and disseminated disease, respectively. ERBB2 protein overexpression was observed in 26.3% of the patients (n=26), 15.4% (n=4) of whom had limited disease and 84.6% (n=22) of whom had disseminated disease ( P=.005). Although mean survival was slightly longer for patients who were negative for ERBB2 protein overexpression, the difference was not statistically significant. FISH identified gene amplification in 6.3% (1 in16) of the studied cases (ratio, 2.3). The protein product of the ERBB2 oncogene is overexpressed in 33.3% of small cell lung carcinomas and is associated with the presence of disseminated disease. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the possible benefits of specific treatment. El propósito de nuestro estudio ha sido evaluar la sobreexpresión proteica de c-erbB-2 mediante técnicas de inmunohistoquímica y la amplificación del oncogén mediante hibridación in situ fluorescente, en una serie de carcinomas microcíticos, correlacionándola con las posibles implicaciones pronósticas. Se incluyó a 99 pacientes con tumores microcíticos clasificados en 2 grandes grupos: enfermedad limitada o localmente avanzada y enfermedad diseminada. El material para estudio se obtuvo mediante biopsia endoscópica en el 97% de los casos (96/99) o mediante punción guiada por tomografía computarizada en el 3% restante (3/99). La supervivencia se analizó con el método de Kaplan-Meier. La media de edad ± desviación estándar de los pacientes fue de 62,9 ± 10,4 años (rango: 36–81). El 92,9% (n = 92) eran varones y el 7,1% mujeres (n = 7). Un 39,4% (n = 39) presentaba enfermedad limitada y el 60,6% (n = 60) enfermedad diseminada. La sobreexpresión pro