ABOUT HER2-MUTATED NSCLC
HER2-MUTATED NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER (NSCLC) IS RARE, BUT DEVASTATING1
HER2 activating mutations account for ~2%-4% of NSCLC cases
HER2 activation in NSCLC can occur through mutations2
NGS testing is a comprehensive way to identify activating HER2 mutations3
Patients with HER2 activating mutations may experience a worse prognosis compared to those with other driver mutations4,5
NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) recommend testing for eligible patients with NSCLC for actionable mutations/biomarkers, including HER23
DNA-BASED NEXT-GENERATION SEQUENCING (NGS) IS RECOMMENDED FOR IDENTIFYING HER2 ACTIVATING MUTATIONS3
HER2 activating mutations in NSCLC, most commonly exon 20 insertions, are biologically distinct from HER2 amplification and HER2 protein overexpression.3
DNA-based sequencing tests are recommended for identifying HER2 activating mutations, as IHC and FISH testing alone may not detect these alterations.3,6
Multigene panel testing, such as NGS, that utilizes cancer cells from a tumor biopsy maximizes detection of HER2 activating mutations, allowing for selection of appropriate treatment.3
NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.
ABBREVIATIONS
DNA=deoxyribonucleic acid; FISH=fluorescence in situ hybridization; HER2=human epidermal growth factor receptor 2; IHC=immunohistochemistry; NCCN=National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®).
REFERENCES
- Mazières J, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2013;31(16):1997-2003.
- Cheng X. Genes (Basel). 2024;15(7):903.
- Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer V6.2026. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. Accessed June 26, 2026. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org.
- Zhou J, et al. Ther Adv Med Oncol. 2020;12:1758835920936090.
- Ninomiya K, et al. Chest. 2019;156:357-366.
- Li BT, et al. J Thorac Oncol. 2016;11(3):414-419.