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Building Up a High-throughput Screening Platform to Assess the Heterogeneity of HER2 Gene Amplification in Breast Cancers
Published on: December 5, 2017
Utilization of HER2 genetic testing in a multi-institutional observational study
Katrina A B Goddard1, Erin J Aiello Bowles, Heather Spencer Feigelson
1Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, 3800 N Interstate Ave, Portland, OR 97227, USA. katrina.ab.goddard@kpchr.org
The American Journal of Managed Care
|December 4, 2012
Summary
Over 90% of breast cancer patients received Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) testing. HER2 testing successfully guided trastuzumab treatment decisions in diverse healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomarker Testing
- Clinical Practice
Background:
- Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) amplification occurs in ~20% of breast cancers, influencing therapy selection.
- A knowledge gap exists regarding real-world HER2 testing implementation and its impact on breast cancer treatment decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess HER2 testing utilization in breast cancer patients.
- To characterize patients receiving or not receiving HER2 testing.
- To evaluate trastuzumab use based on HER2 test results.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 6460 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer (1999-2007).
- Electronic records used for patient/tumor characteristics and trastuzumab treatment.
- Chart abstraction for 400 women to confirm HER2 testing receipt and results.
Main Results:
- Over 90% of participants underwent HER2 testing.
- All patients receiving trastuzumab had documented HER2 testing.
- Nearly all (>95%) trastuzumab recipients had positive HER2 results.
- 77% of eligible patients diagnosed post-2005 with positive HER2 results received trastuzumab.
Conclusions:
- HER2 testing is successfully integrated into clinical practice for breast cancer treatment decisions.
- This integration is effective across diverse healthcare delivery systems.