The Serum HER-2/neu Test and Metastatic Breast Cancer:
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The Serum HER-2/neu Test and Metastatic Breast Cancer:
Patients & Caregivers
Serum HER-2/neu testing monitors your HER-2 status in real time
- Serum HER-2/neu is a simple blood test with reliable and easily interpreted results
- If you have metastatic breast cancer, the Serum HER-2/neu test is the only FDA-cleared blood test your doctor can use to monitor changes in your HER-2/neu status
- If you are on a HER-2 treatment, your Serum HER-2/neu status can tell you and your doctor if your treatment is effective or not
What are the HER-2/neu tissue tests?
- A HER-2/neu tissue test is required to qualify for HER-2 targeted therapies, such as Herceptin® and Tykerb®.
- To establish HER-2/neu positivity, a biopsy is taken. The tissue sample is then evaluated using approved IHC or FISH testing methods to determine HER-2/neu status.
How is the Serum HER-2/neu test different from HER-2/neu tissue tests?
- The Serum HER-2/neu test is a simple blood test for monitoring real-time HER-2/neu status after initial metastatic breast cancer diagnosis
- The Serum HER-2/neu test is used to monitor changes in HER-2/neu levels which reflects response to treatment or disease progression
- All patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer should have a baseline Serum HER-2/neu established, regardless of HER-2/neu tissue status.
Where is Serum HER-2/neu testing performed?
Your doctor will order the test from a lab, and may combine it with your routine blood work. The time it takes to get results can vary between laboratories.
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Videos: Serum HER-2/neu featured
See Us Lighting Up Times Square!
During the weeks of October 12 and 26, Serum HER-2/neu will be featured on the ABC Times Square Super Sign. Click here to view a clip[11.94 MB]
From the 2008 Lifetime Original Movie Living Proof[1.13 MB]
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The Serum HER-2/neu Test and Metastatic Breast Cancer
