Automated Analysis of FISH-Stained HER2/neu Samples with Metafer

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.