ABSTRACT
HER2 gene amplification was explored using the silver stain hybridization in situ (SISH) technique in colon, prostate, lung, ovarian and breast carcinomas. Clinical pathological features and immunohistochemical (IHC) expression were evaluated for HER2 in 225 carcinomas. All cases were subjected to SISH investigation. Statistical analysis revealed an association between HER2 protein expression and gene amplification in breast carcinoma. 14% of colon carcinomas (5 IHC score 0, 1 score 1+ and 1 score 2+), 2% of prostate carcinoma (IHC 2+), 4% of lung carcinomas (IHC 2+) and 16% ovarian carcinomas (IHC 3+) revealed gene amplification. SISH is an advantageous technique for the detection of gene amplification. The use of the SISH technique in breast carcinoma may be an alternative to other in situ hybridization (ISH) techniques however more detailed studies seem necessary to detect HER2 gene amplification in other human malignancies.
Subject(s)
Neoplasms/enzymology , Neoplasms/genetics , Receptor, ErbB-2/biosynthesis , Receptor, ErbB-2/genetics , Breast Neoplasms/enzymology , Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Colonic Neoplasms/enzymology , Colonic Neoplasms/genetics , Female , Gene Amplification , Humans , In Situ Hybridization/methods , Lung Neoplasms/enzymology , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Male , Ovarian Neoplasms/enzymology , Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics , Prognosis , Prostatic Neoplasms/enzymology , Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics , Silver Staining/methodsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate immunohistochemical markers in pancreatic cancer and to determine the association of their expression with clinicopathological features and prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients were followed-up for an average period of 5 years. FAS, bcl-2, p53 and Ki-67 expression were detected immunohistochemically to determine their prognostic value. RESULTS: FAS was statistically associated with p53 (p = 0.002), Ki-67 (p = 0.003), higher histological grade (p = 0.001 and recurrence and overall survival (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The newly found overexpression of FAS in highly aggressive pancreatic carcinomas may help us stratify patients into different prognostic groups and indicate new therapeutic strategies.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/enzymology , Fatty Acid Synthases/biosynthesis , Pancreatic Neoplasms/enzymology , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Ano-genital carcinoma is a polyfactorial and polygenic disease. Certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) have been detected in a high percentage of patients. It has been suggested that p53 polymorphisms may be relevant for the interaction with viral proteins that inactivates p53. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were selected on the basis of HPV infection, clinical history, positive PAP test and type of lesion. In situ PCR was performed on smear samples, in four steps: a) preparation on clean biobond-treated slides, b) permeabilisation and digestion; c) in situ PCR amplification; d) in situ hybridisation with a fluorescent probe. RESULTS: In situ PCR analysis of the smears confirmed the results obtained by classic PCR and by in situ PCR of frozen sections. CONCLUSION: In situ PCR on smears could be used in targeted-screening for young and post-menopausal women, as well as in the development of large scale studies to establish the connection among the presence of HPV, p53 polymorphisms and the risk of cervical cancer. ABBREVIATIONS: PCR, polymerase chain reaction; OsO4, osmium tetroxide; HPV, human papilloma virus; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; SDS, sodium dodecyl sulphate.