HER2-targeted therapies in cancer: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Abnormal human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) alterations are linked to various tumor developments.
• HER2-targeted therapies are crucial for treating multiple cancers, with ongoing advancements in drug design and combination regimens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of HER2-targeted therapy.
• To cover mechanisms of action, drug examples, clinical trials, and future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on HER2-targeted therapies.
• Analysis of approved drugs, including monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
• Examination of clinical trial data and emerging concepts like low HER2 expression therapy.

Main Results:

• Numerous HER2-targeted drugs, including specific monoclonal antibodies, TKIs, and ADCs, have been approved.
• ADCs have significantly transformed treatment for breast, gastric, and bladder cancers.
• The concept of low HER2 expression broadens the applicability of HER2-targeted therapy.

Conclusions:

• HER2-targeted therapies, especially ADCs, demonstrate remarkable efficacy and expanding indications.
• Advancements in understanding the HER2 pathway are driving innovative treatment strategies.
• Future research will likely focus on further refining these therapies and identifying new patient populations.