Contribution of HER‐2/neu oncogene expression to tumor grade and DNA content analysis in the prediction of prostatic carcinoma metastasis

• Published in: Cancer 1993-11, Vol.72 (10), p.3020-3028
• Main Authors: Ross, Jeffrey S., Nazeer, Tipu, Church, Kathleen, Amato, Colleen, Figge, Helen, Rifkin, Matthew D., Fisher, Hugh A. G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - genetics; Adenocarcinoma - metabolism; Adenocarcinoma - pathology; Aged; Aneuploidy; Biological and medical sciences; DNA ploidy; DNA, Neoplasm - analysis; ErbB Receptors - genetics; ErbB Receptors - metabolism; Gene Expression; HER‐2/neu oncogene; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Medical sciences; Neoplasm Metastasis; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Oncogenes; Predictive Value of Tests; prostatic carcinoma; Prostatic Neoplasms - genetics; Prostatic Neoplasms - metabolism; Prostatic Neoplasms - pathology; Proto-Oncogene Proteins - genetics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins - metabolism; Receptor, ErbB-2; tumor grade; Tumors of the urinary system; Urinary tract. Prostate gland
• ISSN: 0008-543X; 1097-0142
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(19931115)72:10<3020::AID-CNCR2820721026>3.0.CO;2-#

Background. Recent advances in the early detection of prostatic adenocarcinoma have stimulated interest in the development of techniques for determining metastatic potential. Methods. One hundred cases of adenocarcinoma, including 66 biopsy and radical prostatectomy specimens; 20 biopsies alone; and 14 transurethral resection specimens, were evaluated for Gleason tumor grade, DNA content and HER‐2/neu expression. DNA content was determined on Feulgen‐stained touch preparations and tissue sections (18 cases) or tissue sections alone. HER‐2/neu expression level was determined by image‐analysis‐assisted quantitative immunocytochemistry. Results. Tumor grade and ploidy status were independent significant predictors of metastasis. HER‐2/neu overexpression was found in 16 (16%) of the 100 cases and significantly correlated with high‐tumor grade and aneuploid status, but was not of independent value in the prediction of metastasis. Conclusions. HER‐2/neu overexpression is not uncommon in prostatic adenocarcinoma and is associated with high‐tumor grade, abnormal DNA content, and distant metastasis. Tumor grade and DNA ploidy values are of the greatest value in determining the presence of metastasis.