Quantitative assessment of HER2/neu expression by real-time PCR and fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis in low-grade osteosarcoma

Oncol Rep. 2004 Jul;12(1):125-8.

Abstract

Low-grade osteosarcoma is a rare variant of osteosarcoma. Although malignant, it must be distinguished from conventional osteosarcomas because of its excellent prognosis. Numerous published papers have described the expression of HER2/neu oncogene in osteosarcoma as a poor prognostic factor; however their results are discordant. To address the expression of HER2/neu and to validate the assessment methods of amplification of the HER2/neu oncogene, the authors have employed quantitative real-time PCR and fluorencent in situ hybridization analysis (FISH) in 21 low-grade osteosarcomas. We calculated the quantification of HER2/neu oncogene amplification as the ratio of measured HER2/neu gene/beta-globin reference gene in real-time PCR. All 21 cases had amplified signals in the quantitative real-time PCR. However, in the FISH analysis, HER2/neu oncogene amplification was only identified in 26% (5/19). The exact reasons for the discordance between these two methods are unknown; however, variable histological features might play a potential role. In conclusion, as our study showed amplification of HER2/neu oncogene in low-grade osteosarcoma, we assume that expression of HER2/neu is not a poor prognostic factor in low-grade osteosarcoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Bone Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Division
  • DNA Primers
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Kinetics
  • Osteosarcoma / genetics*
  • Osteosarcoma / pathology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Receptor, ErbB-2