Her-2/neu expression in testicular cancer--a retrospective analysis in 57 cases.

Overview

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate her-2/neu expression in testicular germ cell tumors (GCT). METHODS: In patients with primary GCT her-2/neu expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Furthermore, gene amplification was analyzed by chromogene in situ hybridization (CISH). For interpretation, the most recent Asco Guidelines were used. RESULTS: The expression patterns were analyzed according to the histologic subtype. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated a weak (score 1) to moderate expression (score 2) in 1% of GCT; none of the GCT revealed a score 3 expression profile. By CISH analysis, we did not observe any gene amplification in the 57 GCT. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of her-2/neu expression in primary testicular cancer is of no therapeutic relevance. However, for the future we will explore the expression of her-2/neu in residual masses after chemotherapy to assess the role of targeted therapy in chemoresistant metastases.