HER2 (ERBB2) TESTING IS RECOMMENDED IN mCRC1,2

While many guidelines support routine testing for HER2 overexpression/amplification in breast and gastric cancers, the NCCN Guidelines also recommend testing for HER2 in mCRC.1-6

There are several methods for HER2 testing, which include7-9:

  • Next-generation sequencing (NGS)
  • (Fluorescence) in situ hybridization (FISH or ISH)
  • Immunohistochemistry (IHC)

Watch the video below to learn more about how to test for HER2 in mCRC from Jaclyn F. Hechtman, MD, Board Certified Molecular and GI Pathologist

List of labs testing for HER2 in mCRC

HER = human epidermal growth factor receptor; mCRC = metastatic colorectal cancer; NCCN = National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®).

References: 1. Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Colon Cancer V3.2022. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2022. All rights reserved. Accessed February 14, 2023. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org. NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way. 2. Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Rectal Cancer V4.2022. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2022. All rights reserved. Accessed February 14, 2023. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org. NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way. 3. Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Breast Cancer V2.2023. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2023. All rights reserved. Accessed February 14, 2023. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org. NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way. 4. Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Gastric Cancer V2.2022. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2022. All rights reserved. Accessed December 15, 2022. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org. NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way. 5. Wolff AC, Hammond MEH, Allison KH, et al. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 testing in breast cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists clinical practice guideline focused update. J Clin Oncol. 2018;36(20):2105-2122. doi:10.1200/JCO.2018.77.8738 6. Bartley AN, Washington MK, Colasacco C, et al. HER2 testing and clinical decision making in gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma: guideline from the College of American Pathologists, American Society for Clinical Pathology, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. J Clin Oncol. 2017;35(4):446-464. doi:10.1200/JCO.2016.69.4836 7. Mosele F, Remon J, Mateo J, et al. Recommendations for the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) for patients with metastatic cancers: a report from the ESMO Precision Medicine Working Group. Ann Oncol. 2020;31(11):1491-1505. doi:10.1016/j.annonc.2020.07.014 8. Jennings LJ, Arcila ME, Corless C, et al. Guidelines for validation of next-generation sequencing–based oncology panels: a joint consensus recommendation of the Association for Molecular Pathology and College of American Pathologists. J Mol Diagn. 2017;19(3):341-365. doi:10.1016/j.jmoldx.2017.01.011 9. Furrer D, Sanschagrin F, Jacob S, Diorio C. Advantages and disadvantages of technologies for HER2 testing in breast cancer specimens. Am J Clin Pathol. 2015;144(5):686-703. doi:10.1309/AJCPT41TCBUEVDQC