Navigating Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) Assessment by Organ Systems: A Guidebook to HER2 Testing...

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) may show protein overexpression and/or gene amplification in a subset of carcinomas at various sites. Recent developments in HER2-directed therapies have increased the need to optimize HER2 testing, assessment, and reporting of HER2 status. Seven of 11 active biomarker reporting templates developed by the College of American Pathologists include elements for capturing HER2 status, which has presented challenges to accommodate different scoring systems and allow clear, concise reporting.

To evaluate the current evidence for HER2 testing, interpretation, and reporting in different tumor types, and to create a guidebook for navigating HER2 assessment by organ systems to improve the accuracy of HER2 testing and its utility as a predictive marker in carcinomas of various primary sites.

The Biomarker Project Team, composed of members of the College of American Pathologists serving on different committees (Cancer, Pathology Electronic Reporting, Immunohistochemistry, Center Guideline, Molecular Oncology), set out to create a guideline for HER2 testing, assessment, and reporting.

The Biomarker Project Team identified indications for HER2 testing, scoring criteria, and optimal reporting in carcinomas of different organ systems to improve the accuracy of HER2 (ERBB2) testing by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

This guidebook reviews the current guidelines for HER2 testing and reporting in carcinomas of different organ systems. In addition, it discusses the challenges of designing a unified biomarker reporting format to cover alternative scoring systems.