INT-2 AND C-ERBB-2 GENE AMPLIFICATION DETECTED IN 70 FROZEN HUMAN BREAST CARCINOMAS BY QUANTITATIVE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

Gene amplification is a common mechanism of proto-oncogene activation and contributes to tumor progression. Analysis of such genetic alterat ions is relevant to our understanding of tumor genetics and can provid e prognostic information for the patients. A rapid, non-radioactive ap proach based on qdPCR and fluorescent DNA technique was applied for de termination of int-2 and c-erbB2 gene amplification and correlated wit h other prognostic factors in 70 breast cancer samples. ER and PgR wer e analysed by immunohistochemistry. The mired template assay showed 96 % concordance between calculated and measured gene copy number. int-2 gene and c-erbB2 amplification were both found in 24% of the tumors. T he amplification did not correlate with any of the other prognostic fa ctors. 8% of the tumors showed amplification of both genes without sig nificant correlations to any of the other parameters. The fd-PCR assay is a valuable tool for determination of amplification of int-2 and c- erbB2 genes. Therefore, more detailed information about individual tum our biology and outcome may be acquired by this routine assay and prob ably provide prognostic impact.