Quantitation of c-erbB-2 gene amplification in breast cancer tissue by competitive PCR. |
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Authors: | N Okuyama Y Hatano Y Park S Shimatani S Sasamoto N Katou K Takagi S Yamazaki A Inoue H Hemmi H Shimatake M Yanagida M Miura |
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Affiliation: | Department of Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. okuyama@med.toho-u.ac.jp |
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Abstract: | Controversy exists regarding the relationship of the degree of c-erbB-2 amplification to other prognostic factors in breast cancer. To determine the degree of amplification of c-erbB-2 exactly, a sensitive and quantitative method is required. We have developed a competitive PCR method to quantitatively determine the amplification of the c-erbB-2 oncogene. Using this method, we evaluated DNA from 27 breast cancer tissue specimens and DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes from a normal individual. Regarding the relationship between the degree of c-erbB-2 amplification and clinicopathological factors, we found a greater degree of amplification of the c-erbB-2 oncogene in estrogen receptor- negative or progesterone receptor-negative specimens than in positive ones and in lymph node metastasis-positive specimens than in negative specimens, in stages II, III, and IV of disease compared with stage I disease, and in samples with positive lymphatic vessel invasion than with no lymphatic vessel invasion. Generally, these factors were seen in the group of patients who had a bad prognosis. By univariate analysis and multivariate analysis, reverse correlation was observed between amplification of c-erbB-2 and overall survival. Regarding disease-free survival, these relationships were observed only with univariate analysis in our group of patients. |
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