HER2 neu ERBB2, (FISH)

Detection of 17q12 amplification 

Main indication:

Breast cancer, Stomach cancer, CRC. 

Test usage:

FISH with labeled DNA probes to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 17 and to the HER2 locus can be used to determine if a patient's breast cancer has HER2 gene amplification.

HER2 (ERBB2: c-erb-b2) is an oncogene on the long arm of chromosome 17 that is amplified in approximately 15% to 20% of breast cancers. Amplification or overexpression of HER2 has been shown to be associated with shorter disease-free survival and poorer overall survival in breast cancers. Patients with HER2 gene amplification or overexpression are candidates for treatment with the drugs that target the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein or its downstream pathways (eg, trastuzumab [Herceptin], pertuzumab).