Background: It is unclear whether HER-2/neu proto-oncogene expression in ovarian epithelial neoplasms is related to prognosis.
Methods: The authors performed immunohistochemical stains on 20 serous tumors of low malignant potential (STLMP) in Stages I and II and 19 serious carcinomas in the same stages. They used three different commercial antibodies to make comparisons.
Results: Two of four Stage I STLMP in patients who experienced disease progression showed positive staining for the gene product, whereas none of seven Stage I nonprogressive STLMP showed positive staining. Five of the six Stage III nonprogressive STLMP showed positive staining, whereas none of three Stage III STLMP that progressed showed positive staining. Three carcinomas (one Stage I and two Stage III) also showed positive staining.
Conclusions: Expression of HER-2/neu may be associated with high stage in serous ovarian neoplasms, but it is not likely to identify the small fraction of patients with STLMP who will experience disease progression.