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Targeted therapy for cancer: the HER-2/neu and Herceptin story

Jeffrey S Ross1, Gary S Gray

  • 1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA.

Clinical Leadership & Management Review : the Journal of CLMA
|December 25, 2003
PubMed

Insights

HER-2/neu gene and protein abnormalities impact breast cancer prognosis and therapy response. Testing methods vary in detecting these changes, influencing treatment decisions for Herceptin and other therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The HER-2/neu oncogene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase homologous to EGFR.
  • Aberrant HER-2/neu expression is implicated in breast cancer development and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the association of HER-2/neu gene and protein abnormalities with breast cancer prognosis and treatment response.
  • To compare diagnostic methods for HER-2/neu alterations and evaluate their clinical utility.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of 80 studies involving over 25,000 breast cancer patients.
  • Comparison of gene amplification assays (Southern blot, PCR, FISH) and protein overexpression assays (IHC, EIA).
  • Evaluation of HER-2/neu status in various breast cancer subtypes and its predictive value for different therapies.

Main Results:

  • HER-2/neu gene amplification and protein overexpression are significant prognostic and predictive markers in breast cancer.
  • Various methods for detecting HER-2/neu alterations have distinct advantages and disadvantages.
  • HER-2/neu status influences response to Herceptin, hormonal therapies, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Conclusions:

  • Accurate HER-2/neu testing is crucial for personalized breast cancer treatment strategies.
  • The review provides a comprehensive overview of HER-2/neu testing modalities and their clinical significance.
  • Further evaluation of serum-based HER-2/neu testing may offer insights into disease outcome and therapy response.

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