The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new laboratory test to help identify patients with breast cancer who may benefit from treatment with Herceptin® (trastuzumab).

The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is part of a biological pathway involved in growth and spread of cancer cells. Several types of cancers overexpress HER2, including approximately 25-30% of breast cancers. These cancers are referred to as HER2-positive. Overexpression of HER2 often results in uncontrolled growth and spread of cancer cells. All breast cancer patients should now be tested for HER2 status before beginning treatment.

Herceptin is targeted against HER2 and helps to slow or stop the spread of cancer cells that overexpress HER2. Herceptin is often used in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer that overexpresses HER2. Read full story.