Roche  announced that it has received FDA approval for expanded use of its PATHWAY^® HER2 (4B5) and VENTANA^® HER2 Dual ISH DNA Probe Cocktail tests. These companion diagnostics are now approved to assess HER2-positive status in metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) patients, including those with gastric, gastroesophageal junction, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. The approval enables clinicians to identify HER2-positive GEA patients who may be eligible for HER2-targeted treatment with Jazz Pharmaceuticals' ZIIHERA^® (zanidatamab-hrii). Two ZIIHERA-containing regimens are now FDA approved for the first-line treatment of adults with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive GEA.

Gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma encompasses a group of related cancers originating in the gastrointestinal tract, including gastric and esophageal cancer. These closely-related, aggressive cancers are typically diagnosed late^1,2 and are the fifth (gastric) and sixth (esophageal) leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide.³ Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis for these cancers remains poor, with limited therapeutic options available.^4,5 

"GEA can be a difficult diagnosis for patients to face, with most cases only being detected once the disease has progressed to an advanced stage," said Laura Apitz, Head of Pathology Lab at Roche Diagnostics. "By adding GEA to the approved indications for our widely-available HER2 assay, we expand the patient population eligible for targeted therapy and potentially improve patient outcomes."

This FDA approval broadens the population of patients eligible for HER2-targeted therapies to include those with HER2-positive GEA.⁶ Until now, no tests had been approved to determine HER2 status in esophageal cancer, meaning patients were unable to access targeted therapy. Already widely used and trusted in breast and gastric cancers, these tests are an important step forward in providing access to new treatment options for this hard-to-treat disease.

About the PATHWAY HER2 (4B5) test and VENTANA HER2 Dual ISH DNA Probe Cocktail 

The PATHWAY^® HER2 (4B5) Rabbit Monoclonal Primary Antibody test and VENTANA® HER2 Dual ISH DNA Probe Cocktail work together to assess HER2 status, delivering diagnostic precision and enabling timely therapeutic decisions for patients with HER2-positive cancers. Together, these tests provide labs and pathologists with reliable, actionable insights to support personalised treatment approaches.

The PATHWAY HER2 (4B5) test is the most widely adopted HER2-immunohistochemistry (IHC) primary antibody globally,⁷ achieving consistently high proficiency assessment scores,⁷ and demonstrating high concordance with HER2 FISH testing.^8,9 Its design ensures accuracy and reproducibility, with integration into the fully automated VENTANA BenchMark slide staining platform to minimise variability and reduce manual steps across all IHC processes.

The VENTANA HER2 Dual ISH DNA Probe Cocktail enables the advanced detection of HER2 gene amplification. With its dual-colour technology, pathologists can easily compare HER2 status with H&E and other GI panel markers within the same case,¹⁰ ensuring consistent and confident diagnoses. The test also maintains high concordance with HER2 FISH testing,¹¹ making it a reliable component of HER2 diagnostic workflows.

Together, the tests strengthen Roche's comprehensive HER2 diagnostic portfolio. By delivering reliable and actionable results, they support diagnostic precision across multiple cancer types, expanding access to personalised treatment options and improving outcomes for patients facing HER2-positive cancers.