HER2 standards could be unsuitable in determining trastuzumab use in breast cancer patients.

This article reports that the present standards for HER2 protein determination may not be ideal for choosing which breast cancer patients receive adjuvant trastuzumab. The results from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-31 clinical trial, which examined the addition of trastuzumab to adjuvant chemotherapy, are highlighted. Comments from Soonmyung Paik, director of the project's Division of Pathology, regarding the findings are given.