Study Compares Tests for HER-2/neu Status

A study of 900 breast cancer patients involving a direct comparison of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry tests in detecting the HER-2/neu status found the FISH test to be the most accurate and reliable. The study was published in the November issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The FISH test used in the study is the product of Vysis, Inc. (Downers Grove, IL, USA).

The presence of multiple copies of the HER-2 gene plays a pivotal role in the rapid growth of tumor cells in 25-30% of breast cancer patients. For this reason, determination of HER-2 status in breast cancer patients has emerged as the standard of care. Patients found to be HER-2 positive experience rapid tumor growth, resistance to therapy, and potentially decreased survival. Knowing the HER-2 gene amplification status helps doctors select therapy, since certain treatments are more appropriate when multiple copies of the gene are found.

"The current study raises important concerns regarding the modalities of HER-2 assessment currently being utilized on patients,” noted Giovanni Pauletti, Ph.D., division of hematology and oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine (USA) and a coauthor of the study. The study can be viewed on Vysis' website.



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