Recent progress in HER2 associated breast cancer

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2015;16(7):2591-600. doi: 10.7314/apjcp.2015.16.7.2591.

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide among women and the second most common cancer. Approximately 15-23% of breast cancers over-express human epidermal growth factor receptor2 (HER2), a 185-kDa transmembrane tyrosine kinase, which is mainly found at the cell surface of tumor cells. HER2-positive breast cancer, featuring amplification of HER2/neu and negative expression of ER and PR, has the three following characteristics: rapid tumor growth, lower survival rate, and better response to adjuvant therapies. Clinically, it is notable for its role in a pathogenesis that is associated with increased disease recurrence and acts as a worse prognosis. At the same time, it represents a good target for anti-cancer immunotherapy despite the prevalence of drug resistance. New treatments are a major topic of research, and a brighter future can be expected. This review discusses the role of HER2 in breast cancer, therapeutic modalities available and prognostic factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / physiology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Prognosis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism
  • Receptors, Progesterone / metabolism
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, Progesterone
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt