Lewis F, Jackson P, Lane S, Coast G, Hanby A M
Academic Unit of Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Histopathology. 2004 Sep;45(3):207-17. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2004.01903.x.
HER2 is a paradigm of a molecular target whose appropriate assessment is pivotal in the targeting of novel therapies for breast cancer, notably including Herceptin/Trastuzumab. Determining the correct levels requires immunohistochemical and molecular biological skills that are reproducible and measurable, coupled with a knowledge of the appropriate morphological and pathobiological context. Attaining these goals is not easy and laboratories testing for HER2 should maintain a high level of throughput of tests and engage in a recognized external quality assurance scheme. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization testing remains a particular challenge and there is a range of testing strategies. This testing forms the model for the identification of other novel molecular targets. In the future rapid throughput techniques such as real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (rqPCR), tissue microarrays or both should bring significant economies of cost and scale.
HER2是分子靶点的一个范例，其恰当评估对于乳腺癌新疗法的靶向治疗至关重要，特别是包括赫赛汀/曲妥珠单抗。确定正确水平需要可重复且可测量的免疫组织化学和分子生物学技术，以及对适当形态学和病理生物学背景的了解。实现这些目标并非易事，进行HER2检测的实验室应保持高水平的检测通量，并参与公认的外部质量保证计划。荧光原位杂交检测仍然是一个特殊挑战，并且存在一系列检测策略。这种检测形成了识别其他新型分子靶点的模式。未来，诸如实时定量聚合酶链反应（rqPCR）、组织微阵列或两者兼用的快速通量技术应能带来显著的成本和规模效益。
