int-2 and c-erbB-2 gene amplification detected in 70 frozen human breast carcinomas by quantitative polymerase chain reaction

Gene amplification is a common mechanism of proto-oncogene activation and contributes to tumor progression. Analysis of such genetic alterations is relevant to our understanding of tumor genetics and can provide prognostic information for the patients. A rapid, non-radioactive approach based on qdPCR and fluorescent DNA technique was applied for determination of int-2 and c-erbB2 gene amplification and correlated with other prognostic factors in 70 breast cancer samples. ER and PgR were analysed by immunohistochemistry. The mixed template assay showed 96% concordance between calculated and measured gene copy number. int-2 gene and cerbB2 amplification were both found in 24% of the tumors. The amplification did not correlate with any of the other prognostic factors. 8% of the tumors showed amplification of both genes without significant correlations to any of the other parameters. The fd-PCR assay is a valuable tool for determination of amplification of int-2 and c-erbB2 genes. Therefore, more detailed information about individual tumor biology and outcome may be acquired by this routine assay and probably provide prognostic impact.