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Updated: May 22, 2026

Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms
08:46

Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms

Published on: December 9, 2015

Mechanisms of trastuzumab resistance and their clinical implications

Keng-Hsueh Lan1, Chien-Hsing Lu, Dihua Yu

  • 1Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|December 31, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Trastuzumab is a targeted cancer therapy for ErbB2-positive breast tumors. This review explores resistance mechanisms and combination therapies to improve treatment effectiveness and patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Trastuzumab (Herceptin) represents a targeted therapy for ErbB2-positive breast cancer.
  • Limited response rates (less than 35%) and severe side effects like cardiac dysfunction (2-5%) necessitate further research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize recent advancements in understanding trastuzumab's antitumor mechanisms.
  • To explore cellular defects contributing to trastuzumab resistance.
  • To investigate the potential of combination therapies for overcoming resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent progress in trastuzumab research.
  • Analysis of mechanisms underlying trastuzumab efficacy and resistance.
  • Exploration of combination therapy strategies.

Main Results:

  • Progress has been made in elucidating trastuzumab's antitumor functions.
  • Key cellular defects leading to resistance have been identified.
  • Combination therapies show potential for reversing trastuzumab resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding trastuzumab resistance mechanisms is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
  • Combination therapies offer a promising strategy to enhance the efficacy of trastuzumab treatment.
  • Further research is warranted to optimize combination approaches for ErbB2-positive breast cancer.

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