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ErbB2 signaling at the crossing between heart failure and cancer

Zarha Vermeulen1, Vincent F M Segers1,2, Gilles W De Keulenaer3,4

  • 1Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.

Basic Research in Cardiology
|September 7, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Targeting ErbB2 (or HER-2) offers dual potential in cancer and heart failure. Differentiated drug design can inhibit cancer growth or aid heart function without adverse effects.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • ErbB2 (or HER-2) plays a critical role in both tumor progression and adaptive cardiac responses.
  • Therapeutic targeting of ErbB2 in cancer can cause heart dysfunction, while ErbB2 activation for heart failure may increase cancer risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the distinct molecular mechanisms of ErbB2 activation in tumors versus cardiac cells.
  • To explore how understanding these differences enables the design of targeted therapies for cancer and heart failure.
  • To highlight the development of a new generation of ErbB2-modulating drugs.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on ErbB2 regulation in physiological and pathological states.
  • Analysis of molecular pathways governing ErbB2 signaling in cancer and cardiac cells.
  • Discussion of drug design strategies based on differential ErbB2 targeting.

Main Results:

  • ErbB2 activation pathways in tumors and heart cells are fundamentally different.
  • This divergence allows for the development of drugs with specific clinical goals.
  • New therapeutic strategies can selectively inhibit malignant ErbB2 or activate physiological ErbB2.

Conclusions:

  • Selective ErbB2-targeted therapies can treat cancer without inducing heart failure.
  • Targeted ErbB2 activation can treat heart failure without increasing cancer risk.
  • Interdisciplinary research is crucial for advancing treatments at the intersection of cancer and heart failure.
Keywords:
CardiotoxicityErbB2 signalingNeuregulin-1

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