Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The evaluation of the expression level of the HER2 gene for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors is usually conducted using immunohistochemical techniques. The aim of the current study is to explore the feasibility of real-time quantitative PCR and the 2[-Delta Delta C(T)] method in detecting the level of HER2 gene overexpression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Real-time quantitative PCR and the 2[-Delta Delta C(T)] method were used to detect the level of HER2 gene overexpression in 212 lung cancer and matched non-tumor tissue specimens. RESULTS: The expression level of HER2 gene in lung cancer tissue was higher than that in the matched non-tumor tissue, with an overexpression rate of 34%. CONCLUSIONS: Real-time quantitative PCR and the 2[-Delta Delta C(T)] method can be used to detect the level of HER2 gene overexpression in NSCLC.