Conference summary, Strategic Science symposium. Her-2/neu testing of breast cancer patients in clinical practice.
BACKGROUND
Practicing pathologists often encounter controversial clinical issues and nonstandardized laboratory approaches to the evolving science of predictive/prognostic tumor marker assays. This dilemma becomes especially acute when the assay is the sole determinant for selection of a specific therapy.


OBJECTIVE
To summarize the areas of practical agreement and identify opportunities for improvement in Her-2/neu testing of breast cancer.


METHODS
The College of American Pathologists created a new comprehensive education model, called Strategic Science, with expert speakers integrating new and evolving basic, clinical, and scientific issues of Her-2/neu testing with aspects of laboratory management.


METHODS
Symposium held May 4 and 5, 2002, in Rosemont, Ill.


METHODS
Ten speakers and more than 100 attendees.


RESULTS
Components addressed were new technology assessment, practice guidelines, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, risk and liability, billing and coding, cost analysis, consultation, information management, and results reporting.


CONCLUSIONS
This Strategic Science symposium derived areas of practical agreement, defined the current state-of-the-art, and identified areas for improvement in Her-2/neu testing.
Zarbo
Richard J
RJ
Department of Pathology, Henry Ford Hospital and Medical Group, Detroit, Mich 48202, USA. rzarbo1@hfhs.org
Hammond
M Elizabeth H
ME
D000465:Algorithms; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D005568:Forms and Records Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods; D018734:Genes, erbB-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D019451:Information Management / Q000193:education / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D016365:Liability, Legal; D017145:Models, Educational; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000639:trends; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000193:education / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases