Consensus Guidelines on Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-Low Testing in Breast Cancer in Malaysia

Journal

Cancers

Year

2024

Materials & Methods

This expert committee consists of seven pathologists, one oncologist and one breast surgeon, practicing in either private, government or university teaching hospital centers in Malaysia. The points of discussion and recommendation statements were made via discussion and review in three separate meetings held between April and June 2023. The recommendations agreed upon by the panel were collated, refined, and supported with the available literature. Multiple versions of the manuscript draft were shared with the expert committee for feedback and revisions. The final draft was unanimously agreed upon by all committee members.

Conclusion

Accurate diagnosis of patients’ HER2-low status is crucial to qualify these patients for targeted treatment. However, discordance in HER2 testing impedes accurate diagnosis of HER2-low patients. This consensus guideline has been established as a guide for pathologists in performing HER2 testing, and addresses common issues faced with HER2 testing in the local Malaysian context. The present guidelines provide substantial updates to the previous Malaysian guidelines [33] by incorporating new evidence and technological advancements to provide clear, precise, and comprehensive recommendations. These guidelines emphasize the importance of accurate diagnostic procedures, the role of novel therapies, and the need for continuous quality improvement in testing practices. The changes aim to enhance the diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes for patients with HER2-positive and HER2-low breast cancer. We hope that this consensus guideline will provide the necessary guidance to improve the quality of HER2 testing performed in Malaysia and help Malaysian patients receive the best available cancer care. These Malaysian guidelines are current and aligned with the most recent ASCO/CAP guidelines [31]. To the best of our knowledge, there are no similar guidance documents locally available on HER2 testing in breast cancer. Therefore, the authors are hopeful that these local guidelines might also prove useful regionally, providing guidance to healthcare practitioners involved in the management of breast cancer patients.

Resources and Links

Phone Number: +603 2781 4519 / +603 2781 4520

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/16/13/2325

Consultant Name

Dr Mastura Md Yusof

[email protected]

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