Her-2/neu expression in salivary duct carcinoma: an immunohistochemical and chromogenic in situ hybridization study

Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2008 Jan;16(1):54-8. doi: 10.1097/PAI.0b013e31802e91b2.

Abstract

Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) shares significant morphologic and immunophenotypic overlap with ductal carcinoma of the breast, including HER-2/neu expression. Previous studies have detected HER-2/neu at the protein level in SDCs; however, no study, to date, has assayed whether this expression is related to gene amplification detected by chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH). Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 12 previously diagnosed SDCs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and CISH for HER-2/neu status. Result concordance was seen in all 12 cases. A total of 4 SDCs were positive by IHC; all 4 cases showed amplification with CISH. The remaining 8 cases were negative by IHC and showed no gene amplification with CISH. SDCs in this study show HER-2/neu overexpression on both the protein and gene levels in approximately 30% of cases. These findings suggest a role may exist for Herceptin (trastuzumab) based therapy in some SDC patients.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Ductal / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Hybridization / methods
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / genetics
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism*
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / metabolism*

Substances

  • Receptor, ErbB-2