Level of her2 amplification on FISH

sylwiamolik

correlates with response to chemo + herceptin treatment

Hello my American Friends,

I've just wanted to share the knowledge that i gained after last visit to my onc. She says they carry on some kind of big study on this issue. She said that there's correlation between magnitude of amplification (how many gene copy numbers of her2 you have) and response to chemo + herceptin and if someone has "high amplification" rather than lower, then the treatment is more efficious. Have You ever heard about something like that? Your docs in U.S for sure know what's going on about it

P.S I don't even know what does "high" mean

lexislove

When they do the FISH test they test the Her2.  I think its rated as 1,2,3 or 3+. Woman whos FISH test "high" are likely 3 or 3+, they get Herceptin. Someone who tests 1 is considered negative for Her2 amplification so Herceptin would not be needed.

Now...the 2 amplification would be the grey zone, but most docs would advise Herceptin anyways. I guess the better safe than sorry phrase plays this card.

If your a 3 then you would benefit greatly from the Herceptin, thats the trials your doc was reffeing too. I'm not sure if anything has been shown on woman who have a Her2 amplification YET.

My feelings, if your a 2 or 3 and get Herceptin its a good thing!

sylwiamolik

Found it. If someone has more than 10 copies of her2 gene (revealed on FISH) then is considered "high amplified". And when less than 10 (for example 9,8,7,6,5) then also has a her2 amplification but is "lower amplified".

orange1

Oh good.  I thought I read that but couldn't find the reference - could you post it.

 Thanks so much.