Test Name
HER2/neu gastric cancer, paraffin
Test Code
FP HER2 GA
Synonyms
Gastric HER2/neu, CEP 17,17q11.2q12 amplification
Associations
Gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJC) cancer;
Herceptin
CPT Codes
88377
Turnaround Time
5
Specimen Requirements
FFPE tissue is acceptable for FISH analysis. Preferred fixative is 10% neutral buffered formalin. Tissues preserved in B5 fixative or decalcified are usually not suitable for FISH. Tumor sections cut 3-5 µm thick and mounted on positively charged organosilane coated (silanized) slides work well. Request several unstained sections (two for each probe) and one H&E stained slide
Specimen Stability
Stable indefinitely when stored at 20°C to 25°C
Storage & Handling
4°C to 25°C during transit, but specimens may be transported on refrigerated gel packs. Do not allow the gel pack to come in contact with the specimen. Do not freeze. Extreme temperatures should be avoided.
Causes for Rejections
Improper fixative; Tissue not fixed; Insufficient tissue; Specimen exposed to extreme temperature
Description
The FDA recently approved trastuzumab (Herceptin, Genentech) for use in combination with cisplatin and capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil to treat patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-over expressing (also called HER2-positive) metast
References
- Albarello L, Pecciarini L, Doglioni C. (2011) Adv Anat Pathol. 18(1):53-9. HER2 Testing in Gastric Cancer.
- Ruschoff J et al. (2010) HER2 diagnostics in gastric cancer – guideline validation and development of standardized immunohistochemical testing. Virchows Arch. 457(3):299-307.
- Gravalos C, Jimeno A. (2008) HER2 in gastric cancer: a new prognostic factor and a novel therapeutic target. Ann Oncol. 9:1523-9.
