HER2 testing in the UK: consensus from a national consultation.
Mitch Dowsett1, A M Hanby, R Laing
1The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, UK. mitch.dowsett@icr.ac.uk
Journal of Clinical Pathology
|February 27, 2007
Summary
Oncologists and pathologists strongly support universal HER2 testing for breast cancer. Consensus exists on quality assurance, including accreditation and external quality assessment for HER2 testing services.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Cancer Diagnostics
Background:
- Assessing current attitudes towards HER2 testing in breast cancer is crucial for treatment decisions.
- Understanding national consensus on the extent and quality of HER2 testing is vital for standardized care.
Framework:
- Qualitative study with semi-quantitative elements using emailed questionnaires and discussion documents.
- Involved 186 specialists, including 76 breast oncologists and 99 pathologists across UK cancer networks.
Implementation:
- Strong consensus favors universal, non-selective HER2 testing at breast cancer diagnosis.
- Overwhelming agreement on quality assurance: CPA accreditation, UK NEQAS participation, and annual audits for HER2 testing laboratories.
Implications:
- Majority support for minimum annual testing volumes (250 IHC, 100 ISH) for laboratories, though not a clear consensus.
- Study successfully gauged national specialist opinion on HER2 testing extent and quality assurance in the UK.
More Related Videos
11:34Building Up a High-throughput Screening Platform to Assess the Heterogeneity of HER2 Gene Amplification in Breast Cancers
Published on: December 5, 2017
12.1K
08:28Validated Immunochemical Assay for Comprehensive Determination of the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Released from and Bound to Cells
Published on: May 9, 2025
913