Cellular Oncology (Jan 2006)

Detection of HER2 Amplification in Breast Carcinomas: Comparison of Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) combined with Automated Spot Counting

  • Elna Moerland,
  • Rens L. H. P. M. van Hezik,
  • Toine C. J. M. van der Aa,
  • Mike W. P. M. van Beek,
  • Adriaan J. C. van den Brule

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/2006/741586
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 28, no. 4
pp. 151 – 159

Abstract

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In this study the detection of HER2 gene amplification was evaluated using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH; PathVysion) in comparison with Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA), a PCR based technique. These two methods were evaluated on a series of 46 formalin fixed paraffin embedded breast carcinomas, previously tested for protein overexpression by HercepTest (grouped into Hercep 1+, 2+ and 3+). HER2 gene amplification (ratio ≥ 2.0) by FISH was found in 9/10, 10/30 and 0/6 in IHC 3+, 2+ and 1+/0 cases, respectively. Digitalized automated spot counting performed with recently developed CW4000 CytoFISH software was 100% concordant with manual FISH scoring. Using MLPA 18/46 samples showed a clear HER2 amplification. Comparing MLPA and IHC showed the same results as for FISH and IHC. All but one FISH positive cases (18/19) were confirmed by MLPA for the presence of the gene amplification. The overall concordance of detection of Her2 gene amplification by FISH and MLPA was 98% (45/46). Furthermore, both the level of amplification and equivocal results correlated well between both methods. In conclusion, MLPA is a reliable and reproducible technique and can be used as an either alternative or additional test to determine HER2 status in breast carcinomas.