Recent advances in HER2-targeted delivery for cancer therapy

Rakesh Kumar Dhritlahre1, Ankit Saneja1

  • 1Formulation Laboratory, Dietetics & Nutrition Technology Division, CSIR - Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176061, Himachal Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Drug Discovery Today
|December 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in many cancers and is a key target for therapy. This review explores HER2-targeting strategies and delivery systems to enhance cancer treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a tyrosine kinase receptor frequently overexpressed in various cancers, including breast, gastric, ovarian, prostate, and lung cancers.
  • HER2 plays a critical role in cancer progression, influencing cell migration, proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, and metastasis via intracellular signaling pathways.
  • The extracellular domain of HER2 is accessible, making it an attractive target for targeted drug delivery in cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and highlight diverse strategies for targeting HER2 in cancer therapy.
  • To explore various approaches for HER2-targeted drug delivery systems.
  • To discuss methods for improving therapeutic outcomes in HER2-overexpressing cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of HER2-targeting strategies.
  • Analysis of different HER2-targeted delivery systems.
  • Synthesis of information on improving cancer therapy outcomes.

Main Results:

  • HER2 overexpression is a significant factor in multiple cancer types.
  • Targeting HER2 offers a promising therapeutic avenue due to its role in cancer cell functions.
  • The extracellular domain of HER2 allows for targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic agents.

Conclusions:

  • HER2 is a validated and crucial target for developing novel cancer therapies.
  • Various HER2-targeting strategies and delivery systems are being investigated to improve treatment efficacy.
  • Targeted delivery to HER2-overexpressing cancer cells holds potential for enhanced patient outcomes.

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