Single-day HER2neu amplification assessment using chip-based digital PCR in formalin-fixed paraffn-embedded breast carcinoma tissue

Introduction: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) amplification is present in almost 15%-20% of breast cancer tumors, making it an important parameter for testing. The present study was designed to evaluate a chip-based digital PCR (dPCR) system for assessing HER2 amplification from form...

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Published inBreast cancer targets and therapy Vol. 10; p. 121
Main Authors Shah, Parth S, Murarka, Shiva, Joshi, Anupam, Mehta, Bhavna, Parmar, Vipal, Shah, Nidhi, Patel, Khushbu, Sands, Jacob
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2018
Subjects
Breast cancer
Carcinoma
Development and progression
DNA
Epidermal growth factors
Evaluation
Fluorescence
Formaldehyde
Genetic aspects
Health aspects
HER2 receptor
Immunohistochemistry
Methods
Polymerase chain reaction
Tumors
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Summary:Introduction: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) amplification is present in almost 15%-20% of breast cancer tumors, making it an important parameter for testing. The present study was designed to evaluate a chip-based digital PCR (dPCR) system for assessing HER2 amplification from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast carcinoma tissue and to compare this system with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).Materials and methods: A total of 84 breast carcinoma tissue samples were analyzed by IHC, FISH, and chip-based dPCR in a blinded manner.Results: All nine IHC-positive and 35 IHC-negative samples had equivalent results with dPCR, taking an amplification ratio threshold of 1.8 as a positive result. Of the 40 IHC equivocal samples, 10 were assessed as positive, 27 as negative, and three as equivocal by dPCR.Conclusion: These results demonstrate that chip-based dPCR is suitable for HER2 amplification detection in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples in a clinical setting, providing the advantages of superior turnaround time, cost-effectiveness, and increased precision with absolute quantification compared with conventional tests such as FISH and IHC. This methodology was especially beneficial in tissue samples with low DNA concentration.Keywords: HER2, digital PCR, IHC, FISH, breast cancer
ISSN:1179-1314
1179-1314
DOI:10.2147/BCTT.S161264