Roche receives CE IVDR approval for HER2 (4B5) companion diagnostic test to identify HER2-ultralow breast cancer and biliary tract cancer patients

Original from: Roche

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today it has received CE IVDR approval for two label expansions for its VENTANA® HER2 (4B5) Rabbit Monoclonal Primary Antibody RxDx* assay. HER2 is a receptor protein expressed in a variety of cancers and serves as a predictive biomarker to help determine if a patient will respond to HER2-targeted therapy. 

The VENTANA HER2 (4B5) test is the first and only companion diagnostic approved to identify patients with HR-positive metastatic breast cancer that are HER2-ultralow. These patients may be eligible for treatment with ENHERTU® (trastuzumab deruxtecan), a specifically engineered HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) discovered by Daiichi Sankyo and being jointly developed and commercialised by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca. In addition, this test is now the first and only companion diagnostic to aid in the assessment of HER2-positive status to identify biliary tract cancer patients with an immunohistochemistry score of 3+ who are eligible for treatment with Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ ZIIHERA® (zanidatamab-hrii).

"This is about creating new options for patients facing some of the toughest cancers," said Jill German, Head of Pathology Lab at Roche Diagnostics. "Our understanding of HER2 is rapidly evolving, and this expanded approval ensures our diagnostics are leading the way. We're enabling clinicians to unlock personalized, life-altering treatments for patients who urgently need them."

Advancing Science in HER2-ultralow Breast Cancer  

In Europe this year, more than 564,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and more than 145,000 are estimated to die from the disease.  Metastatic breast cancer incidence is rising in younger populations and is the leading cause of breast cancer related death.

HER2 interpretation in breast cancer continues to evolve beyond the traditional "positive" or "negative" classifications. The test now enables the identification of a new patient population designated as "HER2-ultralow," referring to patients who have very low levels of HER2 expression, even lower than the existing HER2-low category. Approximately 20-25 percent of hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer patients may be considered HER2-ultralow. These patients may now be eligible for ENHERTU.

The VENTANA HER2 (4B5) test was used in the DESTINY-Breast06 trial, which demonstrated a significant improvement in progression-free survival with ENHERTU compared to standard of care chemotherapy in patients with HER2-low and HER2-ultralow metastatic breast cancer.

Addressing Unmet Needs in Biliary Tract Cancer  

In Europe, the incidence of biliary tract cancer (BTC) and mortality rates from the disease have been increasing in the past few decades.  BTC is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, and patients currently have very few treatment options. The prognosis for these patients is generally poor. The VENTANA HER2 (4B5) test is now approved to identify BTC patients with HER2-positive status who may be eligible for treatment with ZIIHERA.

About VENTANA HER2 (4B5) Rabbit Monoclonal Primary Antibody RxDx

The VENTANA HER2 (4B5) Rabbit Monoclonal Primary Antibody RxDx assay delivers timely, clear and reliable results, driving diagnostic certainty and enabling therapeutic decisions that can lead to better outcomes for patients.  Previously indicated as an aid to identify certain breast cancer patients eligible for HER2-targeted treatment with Herceptin®, KADCYLA®, PERJETA®, or ENHERTU, and gastric cancer patients eligible for treatment with Herceptin, the test is used in combination with the fully automated VENTANA BenchMark slide staining instrument.

The assay standardizes all immunohistochemistry (IHC) processes from baking through staining, and reduces the possibility of human error. It also minimizes inherent variability resulting from individual reagent dilution and other processes found in manual and semi-automated IHC methods. The HER2 (4B5) clone achieves consistently high proficiency assessment scores compared to other clones and demonstrates high concordance with HER2 FISH, empowering laboratories to employ the most widely adopted and reliable HER2 IHC primary antibody.

Source: Roche receives CE IVDR approval for HER2 (4B5) companion diagnostic test to identify HER2-ultralow breast cancer and biliary tract cancer patients