Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

HEMP
61337
Clinical Information: The HER2 (official gene name ERBB2) proto-oncogene encodes a membrane
receptor with tyrosine kinase activity and homology to the epidermal growth factor receptor.
Amplification and overexpression of the HER2 gene have been associated with a shorter disease-free
survival and shorter overall survival in gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers, as well as breast,
endometrial, and ovarian cancer.(1,2)
Useful For: Determining overexpression of HER2 protein of gastric and esophageal adenocarcinoma in
formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections
Interpretation: Results are reported as positive (3+ HER2 protein expression), equivocal (2+), or
negative (0 or 1+). Equivocal (2+) cases will automatically reflex to FH2GE/60620 HER2 Amplification
Associated with Gastroesophageal Cancer, FISH, Tissue at an additional charge.
Reference Values:
Reported as negative (0, 1+), equivocal (2+), and positive (3+)
Clinical References: 1. Pergam M, Slamon D: Biological rationale for HER2/neu (c-erbB2) as a
target for monoclonal therapy. Semin Oncol 2000;27(5):13-19 2. Gravalos C, Jimeno A: HER2 in gastric
cancer: a new prognostic factor and a novel therapeutic target. Ann Oncol 2008 Sep;19(9):1523-1529 3.
Meza-Junco J, Au HJ, Sawyer MB: Transtuzumab for gastric cancer. Expert Opin Biol Ther
1009;9(12):1543-1551 4. Wolff AC, Hammond ME, Schwartz JN, et al: American Society of Clinical
Oncology/College of American Pathologists guideline recommendations for human epidermal growth
factor receptor 2 testing in breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 2007;25:118-145 5. Wolff AC, Hammond ME,
Schwartz JN, et al: American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists guideline
recommendations for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 testing in breast cancer. Arch Pathol Lab
Med 2007;131:18-43
Hereditary Erythrocytosis Mutations
Clinical Information: Erythrocytosis (increased RBC mass or polycythemia) may be primary, due to
an intrinsic defect of bone marrow stem cells (polycythemia vera: PV), or secondary, in response to
increased serum erythropoietin (Epo) levels. Secondary erythrocytosis is associated with a number of
disorders including chronic lung disease, chronic increase in carbon monoxide (due to smoking), cyanotic
heart disease, high-altitude living, renal cysts and tumors, hepatoma, and other Epo-secreting tumors.
When these common causes of secondary erythrocytosis are excluded, a heritable cause involving
hemoglobin or erythrocyte regulatory mechanisms may be suspected. Unlike polycythemia vera,
hereditary erythrocytosis is not associated with the risk of clonal evolution and should present with
isolated erythrocytosis that has been present since birth. A subset of cases are associated with
pheochromocytoma and/or paraganglioma formation later in life. It is caused by mutations in several
genes and may be inherited in either an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive manner. A family
history of erythrocytosis would be expected in these cases, although it is possible for new mutations to
arise in an individual. The genes coding for hemoglobin, beta globin and alpha globin
(high-oxygen-affinity hemoglobin variants), hemoglobin-stabilization proteins (2,3 bisphosphoglycerate
mutase; BPGM), and the erythropoietin receptor, EPOR, and oxygen-sensing pathway enzymes
(hypoxia-inducible factor [HIF/EPAS1], prolyl hydroxylase domain [PHD2/EGLN1], and von Hippel
Lindau [VHL]) can result in hereditary erythrocytosis (see Table). High-oxygen-affinity hemoglobin
variants and BPGM abnormalities result in a decreased p50 result, whereas those affecting EPOR, HIF,
PHD, and VHL have normal p50 results. The true prevalence of hereditary erythrocytosis causing
mutations is unknown. A subset of hereditary erythrocytosis mutations are associated with subsequent
pheochromocytoma/paragangliomas. Table. Erythrocytosis Testing Gene Inheritance Serum Epo p50
JAK2 V617F Acquired Decreased NL JAK2 exon 12 Acquired Decreased NL EPOR Dominant
Decreased to NL NL PHD2/EGLN1 Dominant NL NL BPGM Recessive NL Decreased Beta Globin
Dominant NL to increased Decreased Alpha Globin Dominant NL to increased Decreased HIF2A/EPAS1
Dominant NL to increased NL VHL Recessive Markedly Increased NL NL: normal level The
oxygen-sensing pathway functions through an enzyme, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) that regulates RBC
mass. A heterodimer protein comprised of alpha and beta subunits, HIF functions as a marker of depleted
oxygen concentration. When present, oxygen becomes a substrate mediating HIF-alpha subunit
degradation. In the absence of oxygen, degradation does not take place and the alpha protein component is
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