Comparison of HER2 and phospho-HER2 expression between biopsy and resected breast cancer specimens using a quantitative assessment method.
Author(s): Bai Y, Cheng H, Bordeaux J, Neumeister V, Kumar S, Rimm DL, Stern DF
Publication: PLoS One, 2013, Vol. 8, Page e79901
PubMed ID: 24278211 PubMed Review Paper? No
Purpose of Paper
The purpose of this paper was to determine the effects of tissue collection method and using the Autotmated Quantitative Analysis (AQUA) method for quantitative immunofluorescence versus standard immunohistochemical (IHC) staining on the detection of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and phospho-HER2 in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) breast cancer specimens.
Conclusion of Paper
HER2 AQUA scores were consistent with standard manual IHC scoring results for both core needle biopsy (CNB) and resection specimens, but HER2 AQUA scores were significantly different between CNB and resection specimens, with lower scores in the resection than the CNB for 50 of 63 pairs. Further, there were significant differences in HER2 AQUA scores between CNB and resection specimens in each clinical group (negative, weakly positive, and strong positive). Similarly, 24/26 specimen pairs showed significantly lower pHER2 AQUA scores in the resection specimen than the CNB. There was no significant correlation between HER2 and pHER2 AQUA scores.
Studies
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Study Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of tissue collection method (CNB versus resection) and using the AQUA method for quantitative immunofluorescence versus standard IHC staining for the detection of HER2 and pHER2 in FFPE breast cancer specimens. 67 pairs of specimens were included in the study. Cold ischemia times for resection specimens were unknown but assumed to be longer than those for biopsy specimens.
Summary of Findings:
HER2 AQUA scores were consistent with standard manual IHC scoring results for both CNB and resection specimens. The average HER2 AQUA score was significantly different between CNB and resection specimens (p<0.0001), with lower scores in the resection than the CNB for 50 of 63 pairs. Further, there were significant differences in HER2 AQUA scores between CNB and resection specimens in each clinical group (negative, weakly positive, and strong positive). Similarly, 24/26 specimen pairs showed significantly lower pHER2 AQUA scores in the resection specimen than the CNB. There was no significant correlation between HER2 and pHER2 AQUA scores.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- Formalin
Diagnoses:
- Neoplastic - Carcinoma
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform Protein Immunohistochemistry Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Immunohistochemistry Specific Data handling AQUA scoring
Manual scoring
Biospecimen Acquisition Method of tissue acquisition Core needle biopsy
Surgical resection
Immunohistochemistry Specific Targeted peptide/protein HER2
pTyr1248-HER2