Comparison RNA Expression Level of HER2 (By QRT-PCR) With Protein Expression Level (Immunohistochemistry) and Investigation HER 2 Expression Level with Clinicopathological Features

Background: Evaluation HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) status is considered as a standard practice in breast cancer clinical management. There are different methods for evaluation HER2 status, but currently the routine method for assessment of HER2 status is Immunohistochemistry (IHC) .The aim of the this study was to compare the results obtained by IHC and Quantitative Real Time PCR methods in determination of HER2 status to specify whether QRT- PCR can use as supplementary method in breast cancer or not. Methods: In this regard, 48 fresh tissues from patients with breast tumor were studied. IHC, qRT- PCR technique was done in every speciman. IHC was done with DAKO HercepTest and QRT- PCR method was performed with TaqMan probes and primers in lightcyclerTMsystem (Corbett Real Time Thermal cycler). Results: No Correlations was seen between relative HER2 mRNA expression and IHC HER2 status. Furthermore, the relation between HER2 expression level and patient's age, tumor size, lymph node involvement and tumor grade was not significant. Conclusion: The present results show that the relative mRNA levels of HER2 by using q RT-PCR cannot discriminate between HER2 IHC positive from negative