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. 1997 Oct;50(5):254–256. doi: 10.1136/mp.50.5.254

A differential PCR assay for the detection of c-erbB 2 amplification used in a prospective study of breast cancer.

B A Jennings 1, J E Hadfield 1, S D Worsley 1, A Girling 1, G Willis 1
PMCID: PMC379641  PMID: 9497915

Abstract

AIMS: To establish a robust differential polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of c-erbB 2 amplification in breast cancer that can be used in a routine pathology laboratory. Once established, the assay was used in a prospective study of breast tumours to investigate the relation between c-erbB 2 amplification and both recognised prognostic features and short term clinical outcome. METHODS: The differential PCR was used for the co-amplification of c-erbB 2 and a reference gene from 48 tumour DNA samples and control DNA samples. The ratio of the two genes was determined by image analysis of the PCR products electrophoresed on a highly resolving agarose gel. RESULTS: The differential PCR assay was shown to be accurate and reproducible using the conditions outlined. Twenty six per cent of the breast cancer patients were shown to have c-erbB 2 amplification in their tumour biopsies. Twenty eight per cent of the patients died of their disease or had disease recurrence during the follow up period and 73% of these patients had amplification of c-erbB 2. CONCLUSIONS: A significant association was found between c-erbB 2 amplification and early disease recurrence. This assay could be used to provide a marker for poor prognosis in breast cancer.

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