Comparative analysis of c-erbB-2 (HER-2/neu) in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue: does over-expression exist? And what is its correlation with traditional diagnostic parameters?

OBJECTIVES: Over-expression of the proto-oncogene
c-erbB-2 (HER-2 ⁄ neu) has been shown to be a prognostic
marker in many kinds of cancer, whereas conflicting data
exist about the prevalence of HER-2 ⁄ neu over-expression
in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue. The
status of Her-2 ⁄ neu was evaluated in a series of SCC of
the tongue to verify the frequency of over-expression of
HER-2 ⁄ neu and evaluate the correlation with traditional
diagnostic parameters of this neoplasm.
METHOD: Fourty patients with SCC of the tongue were
investigated for over-expression of the protein through
immunohistochemistry using CB11 antibody, the Hercep
Test kit and FISH.
RESULTS: Data obtained using the Hercep Test differ
from published reports concerning the over-expression of
Her-2 ⁄ neu and there was no correlation between levels of
expression of Her-2 ⁄ neu and other clinico-pathological
and ⁄ or prognostic parameters. Of the 40 specimens,
using CB11 we obtained results in line with published
reports; however, with the Hercep Test we found only 1
positive case (2.5%) (score 3+).
CONCLUSION: These data, confirmed by FISH, suggest
that Her-2 ⁄ neu is not a suitable marker that could play a
primary role in the clinical-therapeutic management of
SCC of the tongue.
J Oral Pathol Med (2008) 37: 145–150