Overexpression of Her-2/Neu may be an Indicator of Poor Prognosis in Prostate Cancer

Sadasivan, R.
Morgan, R.
Jennings, S.
Austenfeld, M.
Van veldhuizen, P.
Stephens, R.
Noble, M.

From the Division of Medical Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas

^*Requests for reprints: Division of Medical Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66103.

Accepted December 23, 1992.

Supported by Endowment Funds, Division of Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center.

Journal of Urology 150(1):p 126-131, July 1993. | DOI: 10.1016/S0022-5347(17)35413-7

ABSTRACT

Previous reports have shown that Her-2/neu oncogene expression in human breast cancer and ovarian cancer may be associated with poorer prognosis. We report the expression of Her-2/neu on fresh samples of known prostatic adenocarcinoma but not on those of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Using a monoclonal antibody (TA1) directed against human Her-2/neu oncogene product and an immunohistochemical staining method, no Her-2/neu expression was noted with benign prostatic hypertrophy (15 samples). With prostatic adenocarcinoma samples, a subset (9 of 25) showed overexpression of Her-2/neu. Such overexpression is correlated with higher histological grade, higher stage of disease, and high S phase and aneuploidy on flow cytometric analysis. These findings suggest that Her-2/neu may be a prognostic marker in prostate cancer as well.