Determination of c-erbB-2/Her-2/Neu status in breast cancer: comparative analysis between immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry

• Autores: María L. Lamelas Suárez-Pola, Julio Vázquez Rojo, Miguel Bongera García, María T. Allende, Antonio Rodil Díaz, Francisco Vizoso Piñeiro, Luis O. González Vázquez
• Localización: Revista de oncología: Publicación oficial de la Federación de Sociedades Españolas de Oncología y del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología de México, ISSN 1575-3018, Vol. 5, Nº. 5 (jun.-jul.), 2003, págs. 272-279
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Background. Amplification or overexpression of c-erbB-2 has been identified in 10% to 40% of breast cancers and its determination may be of both prognostic and therapeutic relevance. However, problems exist with the selection of the best methodology to determine the c-erbB-2 status.

    Method. We prospectively analyzed the cytosolic and membranous c-erbB-2 expression in a group of 60 breast tumors by both, ELISA and immunohistochemical assays.

    Results. The results showed positive staining in 45% of the tumors and a wide variability in both membranous and cytosolic content. There was a significant correlation between c-erbB-2 content and immunohistochemical staining without relationship with any clinicopathological parameters. However, there were also discordant results: 33% of tumors with low membranous levels by ELISA had a positive immunostaining for the p185, whereas 26% with high levels had a negative staining. Similarly, there were discordant results in the cytosolic determination.

    Conclusions. In summary, our results showed a significant relationship between immunohistochemistry (IHC) and ELISA determinations of c-erbB-2 in breast cancer. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate the significant number of tumors showing discordant results.