Automated analysis of FISH-stained HER2/neu samples with Metafer

Methods Mol Biol. 2011:724:91-103. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-055-3_6.

Abstract

The HER2/neu gene (also known as ERBB2) is located on chromosome 17 (q11.2-q12) and encodes a glycoprotein known to be a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor family. Clinically, the determination of its amplification status is of utmost importance, as 10-35% of invasive human breast carcinomas come along with HER2/neu overexpression, and treatment has to be adjusted accordingly. Here a method to analyze HER2 FISH samples with digital microscopy, using the slide scanning -platform Metafer PV (MetaSystems, Altlussheim, Germany), is presented. Metafer PV is a system for the automation of HER2/neu FISH assay analysis of samples hybridized with the Abbott(™) PathVysion(®) probe kit.

MeSH terms

  • Automation*
  • Formaldehyde
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / instrumentation*
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Nucleic Acid Denaturation
  • Paraffin Embedding
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism*
  • Staining and Labeling / methods*
  • Tissue Fixation

Substances

  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Formaldehyde
  • Receptor, ErbB-2