Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2025

Validated Immunochemical Assay for Comprehensive Determination of the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Released from and Bound to Cells
08:29

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

89

A Comprehensive Review of HER2 in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics

Xiaoqing Cheng1

  • 1Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63108, USA.

Genes
|July 27, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) is vital in cell growth and implicated in cancers like breast and gastric. Targeting HER2 offers a promising strategy for effective cancer therapy and improved patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) is a key transmembrane glycoprotein receptor in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) family.
  • HER2 signaling is critical for cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation.
  • Dysregulation of HER2 is linked to aggressive tumor progression and poor prognosis in various cancers, notably breast and gastric types.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) biology.
  • To discuss the signaling pathways, dysregulation mechanisms, and diagnostic methods related to HER2.
  • To review current and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting HER2 in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of HER2 biology and cancer research.
  • Analysis of HER2 signaling pathways and their role in tumorigenesis.
  • Synthesis of information on diagnostic approaches and targeted therapies for HER2-driven cancers.

Main Results:

  • HER2 overexpression/amplification and activating mutations are associated with aggressive cancers and metastasis.
  • Understanding HER2 biology is crucial for identifying therapeutic targets.
  • Targeted therapies against HER2 have shown significant clinical benefits.

Conclusions:

  • HER2 plays a significant role in cancer development and progression.
  • Effective targeting of HER2 is essential for improving patient outcomes in HER2-driven malignancies.
  • Continued research into HER2 regulation and targeted therapies is vital for advancing cancer treatment.
Keywords:
ADCHER2cancerimmune regulationmetastasistherapeutics

More Related Videos

Building Up a High-throughput Screening Platform to Assess the Heterogeneity of HER2 Gene Amplification in Breast Cancers11:34

Building Up a High-throughput Screening Platform to Assess the Heterogeneity of HER2 Gene Amplification in Breast Cancers

Published on: December 5, 2017

12.6K
Looking for Driver Pathways of Acquired Resistance to Targeted Therapy: Drug Resistant Subclone Generation and Sensitivity Restoring by Gene Knock-down08:59

Looking for Driver Pathways of Acquired Resistance to Targeted Therapy: Drug Resistant Subclone Generation and Sensitivity Restoring by Gene Knock-down

Published on: December 11, 2017

7.2K

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.5K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
6.4K
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes01:33

Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
8.8K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
7.4K
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.3K
Cancer Vaccines01:30

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
347