Testing for HER2 in breast cancer.
HER2 is a paradigm of a molecular target whose appropriate assessment is pivotal in the targeting of novel therapies for breast cancer, notably including Herceptin/Trastuzumab. Determining the correct levels requires immunohistochemical and molecular biological skills that are reproducible and measurable, coupled with a knowledge of the appropriate morphological and pathobiological context. Attaining these goals is not easy and laboratories testing for HER2 should maintain a high level of throughput of tests and engage in a recognized external quality assurance scheme. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization testing remains a particular challenge and there is a range of testing strategies. This testing forms the model for the identification of other novel molecular targets. In the future rapid throughput techniques such as real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (rqPCR), tissue microarrays or both should bring significant economies of cost and scale.
Academic Unit of Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
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Lewis
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Jackson
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Lane
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Coast
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Hanby
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases