Is Her-2/neu expressed in nonepithelial ovarian malignancies?

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2007 Jan;196(1):79.e1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2006.07.050.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the expression of Her-2/neu in nonepithelial ovarian malignancies.

Study design: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded archival tissue blocks of 20 unselected nonepithelial ovarian malignancies (12 granulosa cell tumors and 8 germ cell tumors) diagnosed between 1993 and 2005 were immunohistochemically stained for Her-2/neu.

Results: Immunohistochemical staining for Her-2/neu was not present in any of these nonepithelial malignancies examined.

Conclusion: Our limited sample size does not allow a generalized conclusion concerning the lack of Her-2/neu expression in nonepithelial ovarian malignancies, but it adds information with regard to the expression of this oncogene in these rare neoplasms and seems to indicate that it is not a frequent occurrence.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Genes, erbB-2 / genetics*
  • Granulosa Cell Tumor / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / genetics*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism*