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Lack of HER-2/neu expression in Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Osnat Bairey1, Idit Pazgal, Elimelech Okon
1Institutes of Hematology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva, Israel. obairey@post.tau.ac.il
Objective:
Overexpression of HER-2/neu oncoprotein, a tyrosine kinase receptor, occurs in a variety of human cancers and has been shown to play a critical role in their development. This overexpression is usually associated with poor clinical outcome. The significance of HER-2/neu in lymphomas is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of HER-2/neu in the malignant lymphomas: non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphomas.
Methods:
We studied formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from 50 patients with lymphoma. Forty-two specimens were from patients with various types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and 8 were from patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. HER-2/neu expression was examined by an immunohistochemical technique using the HercepTest.
Results:
None of the specimens demonstrated overexpression or even any expression of HER-2/neu. Reactive plasma cells showed cytoplasmic staining, which was not found in malignant plasma cells from patients with multiple myeloma.
Conclusions:
Non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphomas do not express the HER-2/neu oncoprotein. This finding suggests that HER-2/neu does not play a role in these diseases.
