Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 29, 2026

Assessment of Ovarian Cancer Spheroid Attachment and Invasion of Mesothelial Cells in Real Time
14:25

Assessment of Ovarian Cancer Spheroid Attachment and Invasion of Mesothelial Cells in Real Time

Published on: May 20, 2014

Overexpression of HER-2 in ovarian carcinomas

I Hellström1, G Goodman, J Pullman

  • 1Program in Tumor Immunology, Pacfic Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 98122, USA.

Cancer Research
|April 6, 2001
PubMed

Insights

HER-2 protein expression is higher in advanced ovarian cancers, suggesting targeted therapy may be more effective. HER-2-positive cells show sensitivity to Herceptin and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The HER-2 oncogene encodes a transmembrane receptor amplified in various human carcinomas, making it a therapeutic target.
  • HER-2 protein expression is typically low (<25%) in newly diagnosed ovarian carcinomas via immunohistology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate HER-2 protein expression in advanced ovarian cancers (Stage III/IV) and assess its therapeutic implications.
  • To evaluate the sensitivity of HER-2-positive ovarian cancer cells to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and anti-HER-2 monoclonal antibody (MAb) Herceptin.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistology was used to assess HER-2 protein expression.
  • Analysis included 20 ovarian tumor cell lines (Stage III/IV), malignant ascites, and tumors from second surgeries.
  • In vitro assays evaluated sensitivity to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and Herceptin treatment.

Main Results:

  • HER-2 protein was expressed in all 20 Stage III/IV ovarian tumor cell lines.
  • Expression was also detected in tumor cells from malignant ascites and at second surgical interventions.
  • HER-2-positive ovarian carcinoma cells demonstrated sensitivity to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and Herceptin-mediated proliferation inhibition.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated HER-2 expression in advanced ovarian cancers suggests a selective growth advantage for these cells.
  • Targeted HER-2 therapy, such as with Herceptin, may be more efficacious in ovarian carcinoma patients than initially suggested by low primary tumor expression.

More Related Videos

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts10:27

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts

Published on: July 25, 2020

Tropomodulin 3 Overexpression as a Marker for Platinum Resistance and Immune Infiltration in Ovarian Cancer09:40

Tropomodulin 3 Overexpression as a Marker for Platinum Resistance and Immune Infiltration in Ovarian Cancer

Published on: August 2, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes01:33

Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...