Agilus Diagnostics becomes first national lab chain to roll out D-DISH test for HER2 equivocal cases

New Delhi: Agilus Diagnostics, India’s largest network of pathology labs, has announced the successful validation and rollout of the D-DISH (Dual-color Dual-Hapten In Situ Hybridization) test—a significant advancement in diagnosing HER2 equivocal breast cancer cases.

With over 98% concordance with the established FISH method, D-DISH delivers highly reliable results while reducing turnaround time (TAT) by up to two days. Its technical simplicity and superior archival capability—owing to the elimination of fluorescence microscopy—make it an ideal and practical alternative for clinical settings.

The validation was conducted using 20 positive and 20 negative samples, and the test is now ready for commercial rollout. D-DISH has already been adopted by leading cancer care centers, including Tata Memorial Hospital, Manipal Hospitals, Cytecare Hospital (Bengaluru), and Apollo Hospital (Chennai), where it has seen significant demand as a reflex test for HER2 equivocal cases.

“This launch represents a leap in diagnostic efficiency and accessibility,” said Dr. Anand K, MD & CEO, Agilus Diagnostics. “We are proud to be the first national lab chain to introduce D-DISH for HER2 Equivocal Breast Cancer in India. With its quick turnaround, ease of interpretation, and robustness, D-DISH stands out as a reliable complementary tool to FISH.”

Key oncologists from the Fortis network—including Dr. Nitesh Rohatgi, Dr. Niti Raizada, Dr. Boman Dhabar, and Dr. Rajeev Bedi—have emphasized the need for faster and technically sound alternatives, particularly in time-sensitive HER2 testing scenarios. With growing adoption among clinicians, D-DISH has the potential to significantly enhance diagnostic efficiency and trade partnerships across India.

“In addition to its faster TAT and ease of archival, D-DISH delivers highly reproducible results with minimal inter-observer variability. It also allows for clear visualization of the tumor, enabling pathologists to count signals in the most relevant invasive foci,” said Dr. Kunal Sharma, Vice President & Head – Integrated Onco-pathology, Agilus Diagnostics.

With the rollout of the D-DISH test, Agilus Diagnostics reaffirms its commitment to bringing world-class innovations to Indian diagnostics, ensuring that cutting-edge solutions are accessible, accurate, and timely.