TTR exon-humanized mouse optimal for verifying new therapies for FAP.

Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is caused by a mutation in the transthyretin (TTR) gene. In addition, deposition of wild-type TTR can cause senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA). To date, we have produced several transgenic mouse models for FAP and SSA by introducing TTR genes with different promoters or mutations.

Bright-field HER2 dual in situ hybridization (DISH) assay on breast cancer cell blocks: a comparative study with histological sections.

Background: HER2 testing for samples from recurrent or metastatic disease is recommended by the 2013 update of the American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) guidelines and cytological analysis can be applied to several types of metastatic lesions. However, the practical method to assess the HER2 testing of breast cancer cytology specimens has yet to be resolved. Therefore, we conducted the bright-field HER2 dual in situ hybridization (DISH) assay on cell blocks (CBs) prepared from breast cancer cell samples as a validation study before clinical use.

HER 2 immunohistochemistry for breast cancer cell blocks can be used in the same way as that used for histological specimens.

Background: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) testing of samples from recurrent or metastatic breast cancer is recommended by the 2013 update of the American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists guidelines. Although cytological analysis can be applied to several types of metastatic lesions, the practical method for HER2 testing of cytological specimens is yet to be resolved. We conducted immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for HER2 in breast cancer cell blocks (CBs) and compared the results with those from the corresponding histological specimens.

Correlation of HER2 gene status assessment by fluorescence in situ hybridization between histological sections and cytological specimens of breast cancer.

Background: While HER2 gene detection in cytological specimens using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has been reported, the appropriate criteria for such specimens remain controversial.

Methods: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) samples collected from surgically resected breast cancer specimens were rinsed in a cytopreservative solution containing fixative. Then, slides of the FNA samples were prepared by liquid-based cytology (LBC) (ThinPrep system, Hologic) according to the manufacturer's instructions, and a PathVision HER2 DNA probe kit (Abbott) was used for FISH staining.