title: Analysis of HER2 expression and gene amplification in adenocarcinoma of the stomach and the gastro-oesophageal junction: rationale for the Belgian way of working.
abstract: The Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2) has been established as a key player in the development of certain human tumors. ToGA trial has demonstrated that the addition of the monoclonal antibody blocking HER2 receptor, trastuzumab (Herceptin®), to chemotherapy significantly improves overall survival of patients with HER2-positive advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastro-oesophageal junction. Therefore, it is essential that pathologists guarantee an accurate testing of HER2 status in these tumours. Following the international recommendations and the Belgian criteria for reimbursement of trastuzumab, a consortium of expert pathologists (Belgian Working Group Molecular Pathology) proposes an adaptation of the international guidelines in order to develop strategies for optimal performance, interpretation and reporting assays.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, St Luc University Hospital, Brussels. anne.mourin@uclouvain.be
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jouret-Mourin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoorens
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Hertogh
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vanderveken
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Demetter
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Cutsem
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000188:drug therapy*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction; D005784:Gene Amplification; D006801:Humans; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068878:Trastuzumab
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab