Prognostic value of c-erbB-2 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Summary:

Aims: c-erbB-2 overexpression has been shown to be a potential marker of aggressive biological behaviour in a varity of tumours, whereas its role played in thyroid papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remains unclear. Objective of the study is to determine whether c-erbB-2 overexpression correlates with the clinical course. Methods: We have studied 32 PTC by a two-step immunocytochemical staining procedure for paraffin-embedded specimens (DAKO Hercep- Test). Semiquantitative evaluations were performed, based on the intensity of immunostaining and the percentage of tumor cells. Results: 34% (11/32) of the PTC showed a membranous overexpression of the HER2/neu oncoprotein. Correlating the pathological and clinical data revealed that 81% (9/11) c-erbB-2 positive patients and only 33% (7/21) c-erbB-2 negative patients developed a tumor recurrence or a progression (p = 0.02 in Fisher’s exact test). 3/11 c-erbB-2 positive patients died from PTC whereas all (21/21) c-erbB-2 negative patients are still alive (p=0.03). Conclusions: Our results strongly suggest that c-erbB-2 oncoprotein overexpression is related to the clinical course of PTC.

Zusammenfassung:

In verschiedenen Tumorentitäten ist die Überexpression von c-erbB-2 ein potenzieller Marker für aggressives biologisches Verhalten. Ziel unserer Untersuchung war die c-erbB-2 Überexpression mit dem klinischen Verlauf zu korrelieren und die Bedeutung von c-erbB-2 bei papillären Schilddrüsenkarzinomen zu untersuchen. Patienten, Methoden: 32 Patienten mit papillären Schilddrüsenkarzinomen wurden in einer zweischrittigen immunozytochemischen Färbungsprozedur unterzogen (DAKO HercepTest). Es folgte eine semiquantitative Evaluation auf Basis der Färbungsintensität und des Prozentanteils der betroffenen Tumorzellen. Die immunhistochemischen Daten wurden mit den Follow-up-Daten korreliert. Ergebnisse: 34% (11/32) der Patienten zeigten eine mebranöse Überexpression des c-erbB-2-Onkoproteins. Die Korrelation mit den klinischen Daten zeigte, dass 81% (9/11) der c-erbB- 2-positiven Patienten und nur 33% (7/21) c-erbB-2-negative Patienten ein Tumorrezidiv entwickelten (p = 0,02). 3/11 c-erbB-2-positive Patienten starben an der Tumorerkrankung, während alle c-erbB-2-negativen Patienten noch leben (p = 0,03). Schlussfolgerung: Unsere Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass die Überexpression des c-erbB-2-Onkoproteins in einem Zusammenhang zu dem klinischen Verlauf bei Patienten mit papillärem Schilddrüsenkarzinom steht.

Key words:

Papillary thyroid cancer - c-erbB-2 - Her-2/neu - recurrence - oncogene

Schlüsselwörter:

Papilläres Schilddrüsenkarzinom - c-erbB-2 - Her-2/neu - Rezidiv - Onkogene

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