Copy number increase of HER-2 in colorectal cancers

HER-2 is involved in genetic instability and is overexpressed in a number of human carcinomas, including colorectal cancer (CRC). The choromosomal locus of HER-2, 17q21, is frequently amplified in breast cancer, but the correlation between copy-number variations and HER-2 overexpression in CRC has yet to be elucidated. The functional impact of such regions requires extensive investigation in large numbers of CRC samples. Case-matched tissues of colorectal adenocarcinomas and adjacent normal epithelia (n=134) were included in this study. Quantitative PCR was performed to examine the copy number and mRNA expression of HER-2 in CRC. The results showed that copy number gains of HER-2 were detected in a relatively high percentage of CRC samples (35.1%, 47 out of 134). A positive correlation was noted between the copy number increase of HER-2 and tumor progression. Furthermore, copy number gains of HER-2 showed a positive correlation with mRNA overexpression in CRC. However, the expression levels of HER-2 mRNA were also enhanced in the group of CRC samples with unaltered copy numbers. In conclusion, the findings suggest that a copy number increase of HER-2 is a potential diagnostic indicator for CRC; whether alone or in combination with other markers.