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Lack of ErbB-2 oncogene product overexpression in soft tissue sarcomas
Ofer Merimsky1, Josephine Issakov, Ignat Schwartz
1Department of Oncology, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv University, Israel. merimsky@zahav.net.il
Abstract:
The c-erbB-2 gene and its products (also designated HER-2 and c-neu) encode for a 185-kd transmembrane glycoprotein with intracellular tyrosine kinase activity. c-erbB-2 belongs to the epidermal growth factor receptor family, of which there are four known members, and has molecular homology to the epidermal growth factor receptor. It seems that this family is critical in control of growth, differentiation, and mobility of many normal and transformed epithelial cell types. We have looked for overexpression of c-erbB-2 gene product in paraffin-embedded material from 230 cases of soft tissue sarcoma, in order to establish a possible new prognostic marker and a potentially new treatment option. In all the cases, irrespective of the sarcoma histological type, the immunostaining for erbB-2 was negative. Applications of erbB-2 for prognostication as well as the option of receptor targeting by trastuzumab monoclonal antibodies were aborted.
Insights
Researchers investigated c-erbB-2 (HER-2) gene product overexpression in soft tissue sarcomas. The study found no overexpression, indicating HER-2 is not a viable prognostic marker or therapeutic target in these cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The c-erbB-2 (HER-2) gene encodes a transmembrane glycoprotein with tyrosine kinase activity, belonging to the epidermal growth factor receptor family.
- This family plays a crucial role in regulating growth, differentiation, and mobility of epithelial cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the overexpression of the c-erbB-2 gene product in soft tissue sarcomas.
- To evaluate HER-2 as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target in sarcoma.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of c-erbB-2 (HER-2) protein expression.
- Study included 230 paraffin-embedded cases of soft tissue sarcoma.
Main Results:
- Immunostaining for HER-2 was negative in all examined soft tissue sarcoma cases, regardless of histological type.
- No correlation was found between HER-2 expression and sarcoma type.
Conclusions:
- The c-erbB-2 (HER-2) gene product is not overexpressed in soft tissue sarcomas.
- HER-2 is unlikely to serve as a prognostic marker or a target for therapies like trastuzumab in this patient group.