Her-2/Neu Expression in Testicular Cancer—A Retrospective Analysis in 57 Cases

Objectives To evaluate her-2/neu expression in testicular germ cell tumors (GCT). Methods In patients with primary GCT her-2/neu expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Furthermore, gene amplification was analyzed by chromogene in situ hybridization (CISH). For interpretation, the most recent Asco Guidelines were used. Results The expression patterns were analyzed according to the histologic subtype. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated a weak (score 1) to moderate expression (score 2) in 1% of GCT; none of the GCT revealed a score 3 expression profile. By CISH analysis, we did not observe any gene amplification in the 57 GCT. Conclusions The analysis of her-2/neu expression in primary testicular cancer is of no therapeutic relevance. However, for the future we will explore the expression of her-2/neu in residual masses after chemotherapy to assess the role of targeted therapy in chemoresistant metastases.