Comparison between HER-2/neu, estrogen and progesterone receptors in primary breast carcinomas and matched lymph node metastases

• Published in: Cancer research (Chicago, Ill.) Vol. 69; no. 2_Supplement; p. 3053
• Main Authors: Desouki, MM, Self, SE, Wolff, DJ
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 15-01-2009
• ISSN: 0008-5472; 1538-7445
• DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.SABCS-3053

Abstract #3053
Background: HER2, estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) are important markers for prognostic and therapeutic implications in breast cancer. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and IHC for HER2 gene amplification and evaluation of ER and PR in primary tumor are commonly used methods. However, evaluation of these markers in lymph nodes or distant metastases, which may be more biologically significant, is not that applicable in regular clinical basis. In the current work we compared HER2 (by FISH), ER and PR (by IHC) in matched primary breast carcinomas and lymph node metastases.
 Design: Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue sections from 39 cases of primary and lymph node metastases were assessed for Her2 (by FISH). Primary tumors of the cases selected were known to be HER2 un-amplified. Also, ER and PR IHC were performed on 36 cases from the same cohort of cases to assess any discrepancy between primary and lymph node metastases of these cases.
 Result: Out of 39 cases, one case was HER2 amplified in lymph node metastasis compared to un-amplified primary tumor. Eight percent of cases (3/36) were ER negative in LN mets and 6% (2/36) were less strongly positive compared to the positive primary tumors. Nineteen percent (7/36) were PR negative in LN mets in contrast to the matched positive primary tumors. Regarding PR immunoreactivity, 6% (2/36) were PR-positive in LN met compared to their corresponding negative primary tumors.
 Conclusion: While most matched primary breast tumors and lymph node metastases show concordance in HER2, ER, PR status, we found discordance in a minority of cases. These results suggest the possibility that extension of studies in metastatic breast tumors in parallel with that of primary lesions is informative and can be used to determine further treatment options and predict prognosis in breast cancer patients.
Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 3053.