Her2-neu FISH test is a gene based diagnostic test to identify cancer cells which carry amplified Her2 gene. HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) also known as ERBB2 is a proto-oncogene associated with breast cancer.
The test has pharmacogenomic as well as prognostic value. Identification of the HER2 gene amplification status has important role in therapy decisions related with breast cancers. The test results determine the response of the patient to drugs such as Trastuzumab (Herceptin) and several other drugs.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) jointly recommend that the tumors of all people with invasive or recurrent breast cancer be tested for HER2/neu.1
Her2-neu FISH test helps in finding out if there are too many copies of the HER2 gene in cancer cells.
The test results are reported as positive or negative for HER2 gene amplification.
