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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Validated Immunochemical Assay for Comprehensive Determination of the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Released from and Bound to Cells
08:28

Validated Immunochemical Assay for Comprehensive Determination of the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Released from and Bound to Cells

Published on: May 9, 2025

Role of HER2/HER3 co-receptor in breast carcinogenesis

Tzong-Der Way1, Jen-Kun Lin

  • 1Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Future Oncology (London, England)
|March 25, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Apigenin induces apoptosis by depleting HER2 protein, suppressing the HER2/HER3-phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway. Inhibiting HER2/HER3 heterodimer function offers a unique strategy against HER2-mediated breast cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • ErbB receptors, including human epidermal growth-factor receptor (HER)2 and HER3, mediate cell proliferation and differentiation.
  • Aberrant ErbB receptor activation is linked to cancer development and severity.
  • HER2/HER3 heterodimerization forms a high-affinity co-receptor for potent mitogenic signaling via heregulin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanistic evidence of apigenin's effect on cancer cells.
  • To elucidate the role of the HER2/HER3-phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway in cancer.
  • To explore apigenin as a potential therapeutic strategy targeting HER2-mediated carcinogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Mechanistic studies to determine how apigenin affects cancer cell signaling.
  • Analysis of HER2 protein levels and downstream signaling pathway activation.
  • Investigation of the HER2/HER3 heterodimer's role in phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase signaling.

Main Results:

  • Apigenin was found to induce apoptosis in cancer cells.
  • Apigenin treatment led to the depletion of HER2 protein.
  • Suppression of the HER2/HER3-phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway signaling was observed.

Conclusions:

  • Apigenin induces cancer cell apoptosis by targeting the HER2/HER3 signaling axis.
  • Inhibition of HER2/HER3 heterodimer function presents a promising therapeutic strategy.
  • Targeting HER2-mediated carcinogenesis through HER2/HER3 heterodimer inhibition may be effective for breast cancer treatment.

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