OnCo

Companion diagnostics and assays

Cut-offs gate every biomarker-selected drug: PD-L1 CPS 10, HER2 IHC 1+ or 2+, MSI-high, TMB 10 and the rest. 38 assays (35 FDA companion diagnostics) with vendor, platform, analyte, the exact threshold, the products and cancers they gate, and the tumour-board biomarker they correspond to.

38 assays
Cut-off that gates therapy
Abbott RealTime IDH1
Abbott Molecular
Mutation detected (ivosidenib, AML)
Mutation detected (ivosidenib, AML)
Abbott RealTime IDH2
Abbott Molecular
Mutation detected (enasidenib, AML)
Mutation detected (enasidenib, AML)
Agilent Resolution ctDx FIRST
Agilent (Resolution Bioscience)
KRAS G12C detected (adagrasib, NSCLC)
KRAS G12C detected (adagrasib, NSCLC)
BRACAnalysis CDx
Myriad Genetics
The first companion diagnostic for a PARP inhibitor (olaparib, December 2014) and the first germline companion diagnostic.
Deleterious or suspected deleterious germline variant
cobas 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation Test
Roche Molecular Systems
V600 mutation detected
V600 mutation detected
cobas EGFR Mutation Test v2
Roche Molecular Systems
The plasma claim (2016) made it the first FDA-approved liquid biopsy companion diagnostic.
Mutation detected (qualitative); plasma negative result should be reflexed to tissue
EGFR pharmDx
Agilent (Dako)
A historical example of a companion diagnostic that did not predict benefit: EGFR IHC was dropped from practice once RAS status proved to be the real selector.
Any EGFR membrane staining (historic requirement for cetuximab and panitumumab in colorectal cancer)
FoundationFocus CDxBRCA
Foundation Medicine
The first NGS-based companion diagnostic approved by the FDA.
Deleterious BRCA1/2 alteration (rucaparib, ovarian cancer)
FoundationOne CDx
Foundation Medicine (Roche)
The first pan-tumour NGS companion diagnostic (November 2017); most new targeted-therapy approvals add a claim to it rather than launch a single-gene kit.
Per companion claim: EGFR, ALK, BRAF V600, ERBB2 amplification, KRAS wild-type, BRCA1/2 and HRR genes, PIK3CA, MET exon 14, RET, FGFR2 fusions, IDH1, NTRK fusions; MSI-high; TMB at least 10 mutations per megabase
FoundationOne Liquid CDx
Foundation Medicine (Roche)
Per companion claim: EGFR (osimertinib, erlotinib, gefitinib), ALK (alectinib), BRCA1/2 and ATM (olaparib, rucaparib), PIK3CA (alpelisib), FGFR3 (erdafitinib), NTRK and RET; negative plasma results reflex to tissue
Per companion claim: EGFR (osimertinib, erlotinib, gefitinib), ALK (alectinib), BRCA1/2 and ATM (olaparib, rucaparib), PIK3CA (alpelisib), FGFR3 (erdafitinib), NTRK and RET; negative plasma results reflex to tissue
Guardant360 CDx
Guardant Health
The first FDA-approved liquid NGS companion diagnostic (August 2020); the ESR1 claim (2023) made ctDNA the standard route to elacestrant eligibility.
Per companion claim: EGFR (osimertinib), EGFR exon 20 insertions (amivantamab), KRAS G12C (sotorasib), ESR1 mutations (elacestrant), ERBB2 mutations (zongertinib); negative plasma reflexes to tissue
HER2 IQFISH pharmDx and INFORM HER2 Dual ISH
Agilent; Roche Diagnostics
Resolves IHC 2+ cases; the ASCO/CAP groups 2 to 4 (unusual ratio and copy-number combinations) are where results differ between laboratories.
HER2/CEP17 ratio at least 2.0, or ratio below 2.0 with average HER2 copy number at least 6.0 (ASCO/CAP 2018)
HercepTest
Agilent (Dako)
The first companion diagnostic (with trastuzumab, 1998). Its scoring scale was built to find amplification; the HER2-low and ultralow claims added in 2022 and 2025 stretch it to the bottom of the range, where reproducibility is weakest.
IHC 3+ (or 2+ confirmed by ISH) for trastuzumab; IHC 1+ or 2+/ISH-negative (HER2-low) for trastuzumab deruxtecan; IHC 0 with faint membrane staining (HER2-ultralow) for trastuzumab deruxtecan in HR-positive breast cancer
Ki-67 IHC (MIB-1)
Multiple (Agilent, Roche, Leica)
Ki-67 scoring varies by antibody, hotspot versus global counting and laboratory; the International Ki-67 Working Group validated only the extremes (below 5%, above 30%).
At least 20% (monarchE high-risk cohort; the abemaciclib label's Ki-67 requirement was removed in 2023)
LeukoStrat CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay
Invivoscribe
The signal ratio cut-off, not simply presence, defines eligibility, and the ratio also carries prognostic weight in ELN risk classification.
ITD signal ratio at least 0.05 or TKD mutation detected (midostaurin, gilteritinib); ITD only for quizartinib
MSI by PCR (Promega MSI Analysis System and equivalents)
Promega and others
Pembrolizumab's 2017 tumour-agnostic approval for MSI-high or dMMR cancer was granted without a named companion device; IHC, PCR and NGS are all accepted in practice.
Instability at two or more of five markers (MSI-high); NGS panels report MSI from hundreds of loci
myChoice CDx
Myriad Genetics
A scar assay: it records past homologous-recombination deficiency and stays positive after reversion restores repair.
Genomic instability score at least 42, or BRCA1/2 mutation, defines HRD-positive (olaparib plus bevacizumab, PAOLA-1; niraparib)
Oncomine Dx Target Test
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Runs on small biopsies with both DNA and RNA, which is why it carries fusion claims.
Per companion claim: BRAF V600E (dabrafenib plus trametinib), ROS1 fusions (crizotinib), EGFR (gefitinib), RET fusions (pralsetinib), MET exon 14 (tepotinib), EGFR exon 20 insertions
Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score
Exact Sciences
Not an FDA companion diagnostic; a laboratory-developed test whose cut-offs were set prospectively by randomised trials.
Recurrence score 0 to 25 (postmenopausal, node-negative or 1 to 3 nodes): chemotherapy can be omitted (TAILORx, RxPONDER); premenopausal 16 to 25: benefit from chemotherapy
PATHWAY anti-HER2/neu (4B5)
Roche Diagnostics
IHC 3+ (HER2-positive); IHC 1+ or 2+/ISH-negative (HER2-low) for trastuzumab deruxtecan; IHC 3+ solid tumours for tumour-agnostic trastuzumab deruxtecan
IHC 3+ (HER2-positive); IHC 1+ or 2+/ISH-negative (HER2-low) for trastuzumab deruxtecan; IHC 3+ solid tumours for tumour-agnostic trastuzumab deruxtecan
PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx
Agilent (Dako)
The first PD-L1 companion diagnostic, approved with pembrolizumab in second-line NSCLC in October 2015; the scoring system (TPS then CPS) grew indication by indication.
TPS at least 1% or at least 50% (NSCLC); CPS at least 1 (head and neck, oesophageal, gastric); CPS at least 10 (TNBC, gastric first line); CPS at least 1 (cervical)
PD-L1 IHC 28-8 pharmDx
Agilent (Dako)
Originally a complementary (not required) test with nivolumab; became a companion diagnostic for the CheckMate 227 combination.
TC at least 1% (nivolumab plus ipilimumab, first-line NSCLC)
PSMA PET (Ga-68 PSMA-11, F-18 piflufolastat, F-18 flotufolastat)
Novartis, Lantheus, Blue Earth Diagnostics
Ga-68 PSMA-11 is the first imaging agent listed by the FDA as a companion diagnostic; PSMAfore later relaxed the VISION exclusion rules.
At least one PSMA-positive lesion and no dominant PSMA-negative lesion (VISION criteria) for lutetium-177 PSMA-617
Signatera (tumour-informed ctDNA MRD)
Natera
Medicare-covered as a laboratory-developed test; the first assay to select adjuvant immunotherapy by molecular residual disease in a positive phase 3 trial.
Two or more variants detected above the assay threshold defines ctDNA-positive (IMvigor011: adjuvant atezolizumab for ctDNA-positive bladder cancer)
therascreen BRAF V600E RGQ PCR Kit
QIAGEN
V600E detected (colorectal cancer, encorafenib plus cetuximab)
V600E detected (colorectal cancer, encorafenib plus cetuximab)
therascreen EGFR RGQ PCR Kit
QIAGEN
Mutation detected (qualitative)
Mutation detected (qualitative)
therascreen FGFR RGQ RT-PCR Kit
QIAGEN
Alteration detected (erdafitinib, urothelial carcinoma)
Alteration detected (erdafitinib, urothelial carcinoma)
therascreen KRAS RGQ PCR Kit
QIAGEN
Started life as a negative selector (no anti-EGFR antibody if KRAS mutant) and became a positive selector for the G12C inhibitors in 2021 and 2022.
Wild-type required for cetuximab or panitumumab (colorectal); G12C detected for sotorasib and adagrasib (NSCLC)
therascreen PIK3CA RGQ PCR Kit
QIAGEN
Mutation detected (alpelisib plus fulvestrant); plasma negative reflexes to tissue
Mutation detected (alpelisib plus fulvestrant); plasma negative reflexes to tissue
THxID BRAF Kit
bioMérieux
V600E or V600K detected
V600E or V600K detected
Tumour mutational burden (FoundationOne CDx and equivalents)
Foundation Medicine and others
Panel size, germline filtering and the mutation types counted all shift the number; the Friends of Cancer Research TMB harmonisation project exists because 10 on one panel is not 10 on another.
At least 10 mutations per megabase (pembrolizumab, tumour-agnostic, KEYNOTE-158)
VENTANA ALK (D5F3) CDx Assay
Roche Diagnostics
Cheaper and faster than FISH; became the routine screening method in most pathology departments.
Binary: strong granular cytoplasmic staining in any tumour cells is positive
VENTANA CLDN18 (43-14A) RxDx Assay
Roche Diagnostics
The antibody detects CLDN18 regardless of isoform; specificity for 18.2 relies on 18.1 being absent from stomach.
At least 75% of tumour cells with moderate-to-strong membranous staining (zolbetuximab, gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma)
VENTANA FOLR1 (FOLR1-2.1) RxDx Assay
Roche Diagnostics
At least 75% of viable tumour cells with membrane staining of at least 2+ intensity (mirvetuximab soravtansine, ovarian cancer)
At least 75% of viable tumour cells with membrane staining of at least 2+ intensity (mirvetuximab soravtansine, ovarian cancer)
VENTANA MMR RxDx Panel
Roche Diagnostics
Loss of nuclear expression of any mismatch-repair protein in tumour cells (dostarlimab, endometrial cancer)
Loss of nuclear expression of any mismatch-repair protein in tumour cells (dostarlimab, endometrial cancer)
VENTANA PD-L1 (SP142) Assay
Roche Diagnostics
Stains fewer tumour cells than 22C3 or 28-8 (Blueprint studies), so its results are not interchangeable with the other PD-L1 assays.
IC at least 5% (urothelial, historic); IC at least 1% (TNBC, indication later withdrawn); TC at least 50% or IC at least 10% (NSCLC)
VENTANA PD-L1 (SP263) Assay
Roche Diagnostics
Concordant with 22C3 for tumour-cell scoring in the Blueprint comparison; carries companion claims for several PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies in NSCLC.
TC at least 1% (durvalumab after chemoradiotherapy, NSCLC; PACIFIC-derived)
Vysis ALK Break Apart FISH Probe Kit
Abbott Molecular
Approved alongside crizotinib in 2011, the first drug-diagnostic co-approval in lung cancer.
At least 15% of tumour cells with split or isolated 3' signals (at least 50 cells scored)
Back to the biomarker matrix

Tick the biomarkers a report shows on the tumour board to see matched options; see how common each target is per cancer on the prevalence matrix.

Read the cut-off, not just the name

The same analyte gates different drugs at different thresholds (PD-L1 TPS 1% versus 50%; HER2 3+ versus low). A positive result on one assay is not a positive result on another; SP142 and 22C3 are the classic example.

Primary source

The FDA list of cleared or approved companion diagnostic devices is the reference for every FDA CDx row; cut-offs are quoted from labels and trials. Corrections welcome via suggest an edit.

PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDxVENTANA PD-L1 (SP142) AssayVENTANA PD-L1 (SP263) AssayPD-L1 IHC 28-8 pharmDxHercepTestPATHWAY anti-HER2/neu (4B5)HER2 IQFISH pharmDx and INFORM HER2 Dual ISHcobas EGFR Mutation Test v2therascreen EGFR RGQ PCR Kittherascreen KRAS RGQ PCR Kitcobas 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation TestTHxID BRAF Kittherascreen BRAF V600E RGQ PCR KitVysis ALK Break Apart FISH Probe KitVENTANA ALK (D5F3) CDx AssayFoundationOne CDxFoundationOne Liquid CDxGuardant360 CDxOncomine Dx Target TestAgilent Resolution ctDx FIRSTtherascreen FGFR RGQ RT-PCR Kittherascreen PIK3CA RGQ PCR KitAbbott RealTime IDH1Abbott RealTime IDH2LeukoStrat CDx FLT3 Mutation AssayBRACAnalysis CDxmyChoice CDxFoundationFocus CDxBRCAVENTANA MMR RxDx PanelMSI by PCR (Promega MSI Analysis System and equivalents)VENTANA FOLR1 (FOLR1-2.1) RxDx AssayVENTANA CLDN18 (43-14A) RxDx AssayEGFR pharmDxPSMA PET (Ga-68 PSMA-11, F-18 piflufolastat, F-18 flotufolastat)Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence ScoreSignatera (tumour-informed ctDNA MRD)Ki-67 IHC (MIB-1)Tumour mutational burden (FoundationOne CDx and equivalents)