Exploration of HER2 (ERBB2) immunohistochemistry in non-small cell lung cancer: correlation with ERBB2 mutational status: experimental research

Anthony B Cardillo; Sierra Kovar; Nitin Roper; David G Hicks; Moises J Velez

doi:10.1097/MS9.0000000000000719

Exploration of HER2 (ERBB2) immunohistochemistry in non-small cell lung cancer: correlation with ERBB2 mutational status: experimental research

Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2023 May 3;85(6):2640-2646. doi: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000000719. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Authors

Anthony B Cardillo¹, Sierra Kovar¹, Nitin Roper², David G Hicks¹, Moises J Velez¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY.
² Developmental Therapeutic Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD.

Abstract

ERBB2 (HER2) is a gene in humans that encodes the ERBB2 protein, a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor family. Non-small cell lung carcinomas do not commonly harbour ERBB2 mutations, with clinical trials conducted to assess for targeted response and progression-free survival. We retrieved cases of lung adenocarcinoma with next-generation sequencing proven ERBB2 point mutations (n=8) or amplifications (n=11) and assessed the concordance of commercially available ERBB2 (HER2) immunohistochemical antibodies with the next-generation sequencing result. At present, no commercially available ERBB2 clone can accurately detect ERBB2 mutations consistently in non-small cell lung carcinoma specimens, but amplifications can be detected with reasonable diagnostic accuracy.

Keywords: ERBB2; HER2; immunohistochemistry; non-small cell lung cancer.