Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for detection of HER-2/neu amplification in breast cancer: a multicenter portability study.

Amplification and/or overexpression of HER-2/neu has been shown to be both a prognostic and predictive marker in breast cancer. Recent studies have also confirmed the efficacy of Herceptin (trastuzumab) as adjuvant therapy for patients with overexpression of HER-2/neu. Therefore, it is critical that precise and reproducible assays be used in the clinical laboratory setting for determination of the HER-2/neu status in patients with breast cancer. The objective of this study was to determine the portability (reproducibility between different institutions) of the PathVysion HER-2 fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay used for detection of amplification of the HER-2/neu gene in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Study specimens consisted of one breast tumor with a normal HER-2/neu copy number, two tumors with a low level, and one tumor with a high level of HER-2/neu amplification. The PathVysion HER-2 assay was shown to be highly reproducible on different assay days (n = 3) and between different institutions (n = 5) in the detection of amplification of the HER-2/neu gene in routinely processed clinical specimens of breast carcinoma. In addition, this study examined the feasibility of enumerating FISH signals in 20 nuclei in contrast to 60 nuclei per specimen. Although a modest increase in variation was observed when analyzing 20 compared to 60 nuclei, the mean ratios were similar. Therefore, analysis of as few as 20 nuclei with this FISH HER-2/neu assay may be sufficient for determining the amplification level of the HER-2/neu gene.

A multicenter investigation with D-FISH BCR/ABL1 probes.

Twenty-eight laboratories evaluated a new fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) strategy for chronic myeloid leukemia. In a three-part study, bcr/abl1 D-FISH probes were used to study bone marrow specimens. First, laboratories familiarized themselves with the strategy by applying it to known normal and abnormal specimens. Then, collectively the laboratories studied 20 normal and 20 abnormal specimens blindly and measured workload. Finally, each laboratory and two experts studied six serial dilutions with 98-0% abnormal nuclei. Using the reported normal cutoff of < 1% abnormal nuclei, participants reported no false-negative cases and 15 false-positive cases (1-6.6% abnormal nuclei). Results provided by participants for serial dilutions approximated the expected percentages of abnormal nuclei, but those from the experts exhibited greater precision. The clinical sensitivity, precision, nomenclature, workload, recommendations for training, and quality assurance in methods using D-FISH in clinical practice are discussed.

Reproducibility of LSI HER-2/neu SpectrumOrange and CEP 17 SpectrumGreen Dual Color deoxyribonucleic acid probe kit. For enumeration of gene amplification in paraffin-embedded specimens: a multicenter clinical validation study.

Overexpression and/or amplification of HER-2/neu gene have been found to be prognostic and predictive in breast and other cancers. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay, with its sensitivity and specificity, can be a superior method of detection when its performance characteristics are demonstrated. A multicenter study was initiated to evaluate the reproducibility of the LSI HER-2/neu SpectrumOrange and CEP 17 SpectrumGreen Dual Color DNA Probe for enumeration of both the HER-2/neu gene and chromosome 17 (signals) in interphase cells. Section slides were prepared from four cell lines (H, E, R, and N) with known ratios of the HER-2/neu to CEP 17 copy numbers (approximately H = 1.10, E = 1.70, R = 4.50, N = 9.0). The study variable was the ratios of the HER-2/neu to chromosome 17 copy numbers. Reproducibility with respect to assay, site, lot, day and reader was evaluated at 3 centers. Out of 120 specimen slides, 100 percent were successfully assayed. There were no significant differences among: (1) four repeated assays of the same specimen (p = 0.99), (2) the four probe lots (p = 0.33), or (3) the four study days (p = 0.54). There was statistically significant, but not important differences among centers and between readers. The ratios of the HER-2/neu to chromosome 17 copy numbers were estimated with accuracy and precision; the mean ratios (and sd) for specimens, H, E, R, and N were 1.05 (0.06), 1.81 (0.12), 4.48 (0.28), and 8.60 (1.23), respectively. In summary, assays with the LSI HER-2/neu and CEP 17 Dual Color DNA Probe Kit, conducted at three sites by 6 different technicians, over 8 assay days, using kits from four lots, were performed with a high success rate in paraffin-embedded specimens. The signal enumeration was also accurate and precise. This study demonstrated that the results obtained by using the LSI HER-2/neu SpectrumOrange and CEP 17 SpectrumGreen Dual Color DNA Probe Kit are reliable and reproducible.

Toward quality assurance for metaphase FISH: a multicenter experience.

Although fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) is rapidly becoming a part of clinical cytogenetics, no organization sponsors multicenter determinations of the efficacy of probes. We report on 23 laboratories that volunteered to provide slides and to use a probe for small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide N (SNRPN) and a control locus. Experiences with FISH for these laboratories during 1994 ranged from 0 to 645 utilizations (median = 84) involving blood, amniotic fluid, and bone marrow. In an initial study of hybridization efficiency, the median percentage of metaphases from normal individuals showing two SNRPN and two control signals for slides prepared at each site was 97.0 (range = 74-100); for slides prepared by a central laboratory, it was 97.8 (range = 81.6-100). In a subsequent blind study, each laboratory attempted to score 5 metaphases from each of 23 specimens [8 with del(15)(q11.2-->q12) and 15 with normal #15 chromosomes]. Of 529 challenges, the correct SNRPN pattern was found in 5 of 5 metaphases in 457 (86%) and in 4 of 5 in 33 (6%). Ambiguous, incomplete, or no results were reported for 32 (6%) challenges. Seven (1%) diagnostic errors were made, including 6 false positives and 1 false negative: 1 laboratory made 3 errors, 1 made 2, and 2 made 1 each. Most errors and inconsistencies seemed due to inexperience with FISH. The working time to process and analyze slides singly averaged 49.5 min; slides processed in batches of 4 and analyzed singly required 36.9 min. We conclude that proficiency testing for FISH by using an extensive array of challenges is possible and that multiple centers can collaborate to test probes and to evaluate costs.

Toward quality assurance for metaphase FISH: a multi-center experience.

Although fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) is rapidly becoming a part of clinical cytogenetics, no organization sponsors multi-center determinations of the efficacy of probes. We report on 23 laboratories that volunteered to provide slides and to use a probe for SNRPN and a control locus. Experiences with FISH for these laboratories during 1994 ranged from 0 to 645 utilizations (median = 84) involving blood, amniotic fluid and bone marrow. In an initial study of hybridization efficiency, the median percentage of metaphases from normal individuals showing two SNRPN and 2 control signals for slides prepared at each site was 97.0 (range = 74-100); for slides prepared by a central laboratory, it was 97.8 (range = 81.6-100). In a subsequent blind study, each laboratory attempted to score 5 metaphases from each of 23 specimens [8 with del(15) (q11.2-->q12) and 15 with normal 15 chromosomes]. Of 529 challenges, the correct SNRPN pattern was found in 5 of 5 metaphases in 457 (86%) and in 4 of 5 in 33 (6%). Ambiguous, incomplete or no results were reported for 32 (6%) challenges. Seven (1%) diagnostic errors were made including 6 false positives and 1 false negative: 1 laboratory made 3 errors, 1 made 2, and 2 made 1 each. Most errors and inconsistencies seemed due to inexperience with FISH. The working time to process and analyze slides singly averaged 49.5 minutes; slides processed in batches of 4 and analyzed singly required 36.9 minutes. We conclude that proficiency testing for FISH using an extensive array of challenges is possible and that multiple centers can collaborate to test probes and to evaluate costs.

Origin of 46,XY/46,XY,r(19) mosaicism.

We report on a case of 46,XY/46,XY,r(19) mosaicism. The patient shows minimal clinical abnormality and the terminal deletions prerequisite for the ring formation are not microscopically discernible. The origin of the mosaicism is discussed. Firstly, the mosaicism may represent chimerism with a prezygotic origin of the ring chromosome; secondly, the ring chromosome could have arisen postzygotically; and thirdly, the ring could have been of a prezygotic origin with the apparently normal cells actually containing reopened rings. The consequences of these hypothesis on genetic counselling are discussed.

Immature teratoma of the ovary grade 3, with karyotype analysis.

The relationship between dermoid cysts and immature teratomas has been investigated by study of gross and microscopic data. Karyotypes with banding analysis, already numerous for dermoid cysts, have recently been obtained for immature teratomas. This grade 3, Stage III immature ovarian teratoma was of probable premeiotic origin, as evidenced by chromosome heteromorphisms identical to those of the host cells. The relationship of this pattern to that of other immature teratomas and dermoid cysts is discussed.

Deletion of band 5q21 in association with a de novo translocation involving 2p and 5q.

A six month old girl with developmental delay and dysmorphic features was found to have a translocation involving 2p and 5q as well as a deletion of band 5q21.