Changing frequency of equivocal HER-2/neu scores and factors predictive of negative HER 2/neu fluorescent in situ hybridisation in invasive carcinomas of the breast.
BACKGROUND
Analysis of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) status has become standard of care in breast cancer patients due to its important prognostic and therapeutic implications. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is the most commonly used primary method for detection of HER-2 overexpression. Controversy exists on the interpretation of samples that are equivocal for HER 2 status (IHC 2+). Recent guidelines state that samples equivocal for HER 2 status require validation with fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH). The use of FISH, however, despite higher accuracy comes at a higher cost that is not affordable to all patients.


METHODS
This study is a retrospective study conducted at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, including women diagnosed with breast cancer with equivocal IHC scores presenting between 2009 and 2011. We attempted to correlate clinicopathological characteristics of patients diagnosed with breast cancer that can influence conclusions made on HER 2 status when analysing IHC equivocal samples in an effort to decrease the need for FISH testing. 113 patients in our records were included; charts were reviewed for different patient clinical characteristics and samples were analysed for pathological characteristics.


RESULTS
Using logistic regression, progesterone receptor status and HER-2 staining of the normal glands around the tumour by IHC were the two statistically significant variables that showed association with FISH results. The strength of progesterone receptor status positivity and HER-2 staining of the normal glands around the tumour were proportional to the likelihood of a negative FISH. Also, the presence of strong and diffuse hormone receptor positivity in low-grade tumours was predictive of negative HER-2 status.


CONCLUSIONS
In countries where resources are strained, oncologists need to think of measures to minimise the increasing financial burden of cancer care. Our study serves to highlight a few clinicopathological characteristics that might eliminate the need for further testing through FISH.
['Boulos|Fouad|F|', 'Farra|Chantal G|CG|', 'Saad Aldin|Ehab M|EM|', 'Masaad|Cleo|C|', 'Hassoun|Yasmin|Y|', 'Fedda|Faysal|F|', 'Doumiati|Hassan|H|', 'Tawil|Ayman N|AN|', 'Nasser|Zeina|Z|', 'Nahleh|Zeina|Z|', 'Tfayli|Arafat|A|']
D000328:Adult D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor D001943:Breast Neoplasms D002277:Carcinoma D005260:Female D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease D006801:Humans D007150:Immunohistochemistry D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence D007861:Lebanon D008875:Middle Aged D060787:Neoplasm Grading D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness D010641:Phenotype D011237:Predictive Value of Tests D011379:Prognosis D018719:Receptor, ErbB-2 D011980:Receptors, Progesterone D015203:Reproducibility of Results D012189:Retrospective Studies
BREAST CANCER IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY FISH