Oncoprotein Test Helps Manage Metastatic Breast Cancer

A study has found that the serum test for the HER-2/neu oncoprotein may help oncologists assess Herceptin-based therapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The findings were reported at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in San Francisco (CA, USA).

Prior studies have shown that decreasing serum levels of HER-2/neu indicate response to Herceptin therapy, while increasing levels may indicate progressive disease. Herceptin works by targeting cancer cells that overexpress the HER-2 protein, and slows or stops their growth. The current study of 75 women was designed to examine whether serial monitoring of MBC patients by the HER-2/neu test could predict or parallel their response to Herceptin. The results showed that the ratio of baseline serum levels to the levels monitored throughout the course of treatment was significantly higher among patients responsive to therapy than among those who did not respond. The serum test has also shown a correlation with patient response to hormonal and chemotherapies.

"These data suggest that monitoring with this oncoprotein blood test can help physicians treat their metastatic breast cancer patients,” said Dr. Wolfgang Johannes Kostler, of the University Hospital in Vienna (Austria). "In addition to the health implications, optimizing treatment may also have a positive impact on cost.”

The serum test is intended for use in the quantitative determination of HER-2/neu in women with MBC who have an initial value of 15 ng/ml or greater, according to the developer, Bayer Diagnostics (Tarrytown, NY, USA). The test is available on Bayer's Immuno1 immunoassay system and the microtiter enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).




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