Institute of Pathology, HELIOS Clinic Bad Saarow, Charité-University Medicine Teaching Hospital, Pieskower St 33, 15526 Bad Saarow, Germany.
We evaluated HER2 expression profiles in 32 carcinoma in situ (CIS) and 31 non-CIS conditions (5 dysplasia and 26 reactive atypia) of the urinary bladder mucosa by applying breast cancer scoring rules. In situ hybridization was performed on tissue microarrays to assess HER2 gene amplification status. Our immunoprofiling data disclosed moderate to strong HER2 expression in CIS, including the basal layer of the urothelium, and absent to weak HER2 expression in non-CIS conditions. From the histologic differential diagnostic standpoint, immunostaining for HER2 protein represents a useful adjunct to aid in the delineation between CIS and non-CIS conditions of the bladder mucosa. Pathogenically, aberrant HER2 protein expression in CIS seems to be more commonly associated with polysomy than with gene amplification. From a therapeutic viewpoint, prospective clinical studies should investigate the potential benefit of HER2-targeted therapies in CIS, particularly in cases unresponsive to conventional therapeutic regimens.
Written by:
Gunia S, Koch S, Hakenberg OW, May M, Kakies C, Erbersdobler A. Are you the author?
Reference: Am J Clin Pathol. 2011 Dec;136(6):881-8.
doi: 10.1309/AJCPKUZ69LXZGFEA
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22095373
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