Real‐time reverse transcription‐PCR and fluorescence <i>in‐situ</i> hybridization are complementary to understand the mechanisms involved in HER‐2/<i>neu</i> overexpression in human breast carcinomas

Abstract

Real-time RT-PCR is accurate in selecting breast carcinoma cases scoring 3+ by IHC with high-level gene amplification. Results obtained by dual-colour FISH suggest that mechanisms leading to HER-2/neu receptor overexpression may be different between carcinomas scoring 2+ and 3+ on IHC, with polysomy 17 found in the former and gene amplification in the latter.