Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Systems Biology of Metabolic Regulation by Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer
Published on: March 17, 2016
Dysregulation of cellular signaling by HER2/neu in breast cancer
Binhua P Zhou1, Mien-Chie Hung
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Abstract:
Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/neu; erbB2) belongs to a family of four transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinases involved in signal transduction pathways that regulate cell growth and proliferation. Amplification or overexpression of HER2/neu occurs in about 30% of human breast and ovarian cancers and is associated with a poor clinical outcome, including short survival time and short time to relapse. Recent advances in our understanding of HER2/neu signaling pathways have greatly increased our knowledge of breast cancer tumorigenesis and have provided new targets for treating breast and ovarian tumors that overexpress HER2/neu. This review will focus on the signaling network mediated by HER2/neu in breast cancer and discuss our understanding of these pathways, which seem to be particularly important in mediating cell survival and growth under a wide variety of circumstances in breast cancer.
Insights
Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/neu) overexpression in breast cancer drives poor outcomes. Understanding HER2/neu pathways offers new therapeutic targets for breast and ovarian cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/neu; erbB2) is a receptor tyrosine kinase crucial for cell growth.
- HER2/neu amplification/overexpression is found in 30% of breast and ovarian cancers, correlating with poor prognosis.
- This overexpression is linked to shorter survival and faster relapse rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the signaling network mediated by HER2/neu in breast cancer.
- To discuss the importance of these pathways in breast cancer tumorigenesis.
- To highlight HER2/neu as a therapeutic target for HER2/neu-overexpressing tumors.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of HER2/neu signaling pathways.
- Analysis of HER2/neu's role in breast cancer cell survival and growth.
- Focus on advances in understanding HER2/neu-mediated tumorigenesis.
Main Results:
- HER2/neu signaling pathways are critical for cell survival and growth in breast cancer.
- Understanding these pathways enhances knowledge of breast cancer development.
- HER2/neu pathways provide potential targets for novel cancer therapies.
Conclusions:
- Targeting HER2/neu signaling pathways is crucial for treating breast and ovarian cancers.
- Advances in understanding HER2/neu pathways offer new hope for patients.
- HER2/neu plays a significant role in mediating cell survival and proliferation in various cancer contexts.
Related Concept Videos
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Autocrine Signaling
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...