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Human epidermal receptor-2 expression in prostate cancer
Benjamin F Calvo1, Aaron M Levine, Mavie Marcos
1Department of Surgery, Divisions of Surgical Oncology, University of North Carolina-Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Summary
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein overexpression was found in over half of androgen-dependent prostate cancer but not in androgen-independent tumors. HER2 amplification or mRNA overexpression was not detected in advanced prostate cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression is implicated in prostate cancer progression.
- Previous studies on HER2 in prostate cancer have yielded inconsistent results due to methodological variations.
- Targeting HER2 is being explored for advanced prostate cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate HER2 expression at the gene, mRNA, and protein levels in well-characterized prostate cancer specimens.
- To clarify the role of HER2 in both androgen-dependent (AD-CaP) and androgen-independent (AI-CaP) prostate cancer.
- To determine if HER2 overexpression or amplification is associated with progression to AI-CaP.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining for HER2 receptor protein in 50 AD-CaP and 25 AI-CaP specimens.
- Quantitative real-time PCR to measure HER2 mRNA levels in available frozen specimens.
- Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to assess HER2 gene amplification in a subset of tumors.
Main Results:
- HER2 protein overexpression was observed in 52% of AD-CaP and 4% of AI-CaP.
- No significant association was found between HER2 protein levels and patient age, race, PSA, or tumor stage/grade.
- HER2 mRNA overexpression and gene amplification were not detected in AI-CaP specimens.
- Mean HER2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in AD-CaP compared to AI-CaP.
Conclusions:
- HER2 protein and mRNA overexpression, as well as gene amplification, were not found in androgen-independent prostate cancer.
- The findings do not support a significant role for HER2 overexpression or amplification in the progression to androgen independence in prostate cancer.
- Further research may be needed to fully elucidate the role of HER2 in prostate cancer, particularly in earlier stages.