On January 11, 2021 Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) reported the CE-IVD launch of its automated digital pathology algorithms, uPath HER2 (4B5) image analysis and uPath Dual ISH image analysis for breast cancer to help determine the best treatment strategy for each patient (Press release, Hoffmann-La Roche, JAN 11, 2021, View Source [SID1234573768]). The image analysis algorithms use artificial intelligence to support pathologists in making faster, more accurate patient diagnoses in breast cancer.

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A mutation in the HER2 gene, which occurs in as many as 20 percent of the 2.1 million cases of breast cancer diagnosed globally each year, is responsible for aggressive growth in some patients. Identifying this mutation is important in determining which patients may benefit from targeted treatment.1,2

"About 15 to 20 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer are HER2 positive, which makes fast and accurate diagnosis critical," said Thomas Schinecker, CEO Roche Diagnostics. "Roche is continuing to innovate in HER2 diagnostics by providing precise information through image analysis algorithms for pathology decision support."

uPath HER2 (4B5) image analysis for breast cancer helps pathologists to quickly determine whether tumors are positive for the HER2 biomarker, highlighting positively stained tumor cell membranes with a clear visual overlay for easy reference. uPath HER2 Dual ISH image analysis for breast cancer assists the pathologist in the determination of HER2 gene amplification. A heatmap is provided to guide pathologists to areas of interest where the algorithm can identify cells to inform the determination of a treatment strategy.

Validated on the VENTANA HER2 (4B5) assay and the VENTANA HER2 Dual ISH DNA Probe Cocktail, the algorithms are ready-to-use and integrated within the Roche uPath enterprise software. The uPath HER2 (4B5) image analysis and uPath HER2 Dual ISH image analysis algorithms for breast cancer expand Roche’s digital pathology portfolio to empower precision diagnosis. Roche is continuing to innovate in HER2 diagnostics through image analysis algorithms that provide an actionable assessment of scanned slide images that are objective and reproducible.

About uPath image analysis algorithm suite
The uPath image analysis algorithm suite for pathology decision support offers ready-to-use image analysis tools, providing fast, consistent and automated analysis so that pathologists can quickly, accurately and confidently assess immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. All algorithms in the suite for uPath software will provide image analysis of VENTANA DP 200 scanned slide images stained with a Roche Tissue Diagnostics assay. Together, Roche is delivering a new foundation of its digital pathology solution which will enable the development of artificial intelligence-based image analysis algorithms that can provide pathologists more tools to improve efficiency and precision.

Roche is delivering the end-to-end digital pathology solution from tissue staining to producing high-quality digital images that can be reliably assessed using automated clinical image analysis algorithms. Roche minimizes the variables that can impact analysis, and it is this end-to-end development that produces the quality results customers can depend on for making clinical decisions. With the acceleration of immunotherapy and the development of more complex assays, Roche is moving these traditionally research-oriented tools into routine clinical practice.

About breast cancer
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world, with an estimated 1.7 million new cancer cases diagnosed in 2012 (25% of all cancers). It is the most common cancer in women globally. Incidence rates vary nearly four-fold across the world regions, with rates ranging from 27 per 100,000 in Africa and Asia to 92 per 100,000 in North America.1,2