Lani
01-10-2007, 01:32 PM
as well as your acquaintances who wonder what all this "her2 stuff" is all about:
NCCN Offers HER2 Testing for Breast Cancer Patients™: Summary based on NCCN HER2 Testing Task Force Report [National Comprehensive Cancer Network]
JENKINTOWN, Pa., January 8, 2006 — The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and Research Advocacy Network have created an online report to educate breast cancer patients about the significance and importance of HER2 testing. Results: of this test are essential in determining the correct treatment plan for breast cancer patients.
Breast cancers can be categorized as HER2 positive or HER2 negative. HER2-positive breast cancer grows more quickly and is considered more aggressive. While studies indicate that trastuzumab (Herceptin®, Genentech) is effective in the treatment of HER2-positive early stage breast cancer and HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, the drug is not effective in the treatment of HER2-negative breast cancers. As a result, it is important to have tests that accurately determine HER2 tumor status.
The NCCN HER2 Testing Report explains the different types of tests used to determine HER2 status. Patients learn the steps involved in each test and what the results signify. The Report also includes a list of frequently asked patient questions about HER2 testing. The clinical recommendations contained in the Fact Sheet are based on the findings of an expert task force convened by NCCN comprised of more than 20 world-renowned physicians.
The NCCN HER2 Testing Report is available on
www.nccn.org
For questions about NCCN or for interview information, please contact Thomas Mitchell at 215.690.0245.
HER2 Testing: Summary for Breast Cancer Patients: Based on the NCCN Task Force Report: HER2 Testing in Breast Cance [National Comprehensive Cancer Network]
Breast cancers can be categorized as being HER2 positive or HER2 negative. HER2-positive breast cancer is faster growing and considered more aggressive. Studies indicate that the drug trastuzumab (Herceptin) is effective in the treatment of HER2-positive early stage breast cancer and HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body). Trastuzumab is not effective in the treatment of HER2-negative breast cancers. Trastuzumab, like any drug, can have serious side effects3 and should only be given to patients likely to benefit from it. Because of the effectiveness, side effects, and cost of trastuzumab in treating HER2-positive early stage and metastatic breast cancer, it is very important to have tests that accurately determine HER2 tumor status. HER2 tumor status is used in determining a patient's treatment plan, and an incorrect test result can have serious consequences. If a HER2 test report indicates that a patient's tumor is HER2 positive when it is actually HER2 negative (false positive), the patient may be given trastuzumab, which can have serious side effects and is unlikely to be effective in treating her disease. If a HER2 test report indicates that a patient's tumor is HER2 negative when it is actually HER2 positive (false negative), her treatment plan will not include trastuzumab and the treatment may not be as effective.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) convened an expert task force after reports of HER2 testing problems encountered in clinical studies involving adjuvant breast cancer therapies.4 The NCCN Task Force concluded that "accurate assignment of the HER2 status of invasive breast cancer is essential to clinical decision making in the treatment of breast cancer in both adjuvant (early stage) and metastatic settings."
NCCN Offers HER2 Testing for Breast Cancer Patients™: Summary based on NCCN HER2 Testing Task Force Report [National Comprehensive Cancer Network]
JENKINTOWN, Pa., January 8, 2006 — The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and Research Advocacy Network have created an online report to educate breast cancer patients about the significance and importance of HER2 testing. Results: of this test are essential in determining the correct treatment plan for breast cancer patients.
Breast cancers can be categorized as HER2 positive or HER2 negative. HER2-positive breast cancer grows more quickly and is considered more aggressive. While studies indicate that trastuzumab (Herceptin®, Genentech) is effective in the treatment of HER2-positive early stage breast cancer and HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, the drug is not effective in the treatment of HER2-negative breast cancers. As a result, it is important to have tests that accurately determine HER2 tumor status.
The NCCN HER2 Testing Report explains the different types of tests used to determine HER2 status. Patients learn the steps involved in each test and what the results signify. The Report also includes a list of frequently asked patient questions about HER2 testing. The clinical recommendations contained in the Fact Sheet are based on the findings of an expert task force convened by NCCN comprised of more than 20 world-renowned physicians.
The NCCN HER2 Testing Report is available on
www.nccn.org
For questions about NCCN or for interview information, please contact Thomas Mitchell at 215.690.0245.
HER2 Testing: Summary for Breast Cancer Patients: Based on the NCCN Task Force Report: HER2 Testing in Breast Cance [National Comprehensive Cancer Network]
Breast cancers can be categorized as being HER2 positive or HER2 negative. HER2-positive breast cancer is faster growing and considered more aggressive. Studies indicate that the drug trastuzumab (Herceptin) is effective in the treatment of HER2-positive early stage breast cancer and HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body). Trastuzumab is not effective in the treatment of HER2-negative breast cancers. Trastuzumab, like any drug, can have serious side effects3 and should only be given to patients likely to benefit from it. Because of the effectiveness, side effects, and cost of trastuzumab in treating HER2-positive early stage and metastatic breast cancer, it is very important to have tests that accurately determine HER2 tumor status. HER2 tumor status is used in determining a patient's treatment plan, and an incorrect test result can have serious consequences. If a HER2 test report indicates that a patient's tumor is HER2 positive when it is actually HER2 negative (false positive), the patient may be given trastuzumab, which can have serious side effects and is unlikely to be effective in treating her disease. If a HER2 test report indicates that a patient's tumor is HER2 negative when it is actually HER2 positive (false negative), her treatment plan will not include trastuzumab and the treatment may not be as effective.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) convened an expert task force after reports of HER2 testing problems encountered in clinical studies involving adjuvant breast cancer therapies.4 The NCCN Task Force concluded that "accurate assignment of the HER2 status of invasive breast cancer is essential to clinical decision making in the treatment of breast cancer in both adjuvant (early stage) and metastatic settings."