Frequent amplification of C-erbB2 (HER-2/Neu) oncogene in cervical carcinoma as detected by non-fluorescence in situ hybridization technique on paraffin sections

Sixty primary untreated squamous cell carcinomas were studied for C-erbB2 g ene amplification by non-fluorescence in situ hybridization technique. Ampl ified tumour cells showed intranuclear dark brown, often paired signals und er light microscopy. Twenty-two out of 60 tumours (36.6%) showed signs of a mplification of different degree (+ to ++++). Considerable heterogeneity of C-erbB2 amplification per cell was seen within each amplified tumour. The proportion of amplified cells ranged between 10 and 90% in these tumours. T he arrangement of C-erbB2 in clusters in most amplified tumours suggests th at C-erbB2 amplification occurs intrachromosomally. No significant differen ce in the frequency of amplification was observed according to clinical sta ge or the histological patterns of the tumours. The results of the present study showed frequent amplification of C-erbB2 in cervical carcinoma on par affin sections. This technique was found to be more sensitive than the Sout hern blot technique which could detect amplification in 14% of the tumours of the same cohort.