Bulletin du cancer
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HER2 protein overexpression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or erB2 gene amplification by in situ hybridization (ISH) was detected in 4-28% of gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ) cancers. Most studies have shown that HER2-overexpressing gastric cancers were worse prognosis. Trastuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against HER2 with known efficacy in patients with HER2+ early or metastatic breast cancer. ⋯ The standardized immunohistochemical scoring system differs from that recommended for breast cancer given the heterogeneity of HER2 expression and the frequency of incomplete membranous staining in gastric cancers. Equivocal IHC2+ tumours should be tested by ISH with two tools: fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or bright field in situ hybridization (SISH). The perspectives are the assessment of trastuzumab in the perioperative and adjuvant setting, the development of novel anti-HER2 drugs and research into mechanisms of resistance and predictive molecular markers.