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ErbB/HER family in cancer immunology: therapeutic advances and mechanisms

Ling Yin1, Hongliang Zhang2, Yuhua Shang3

  • 1Center of Disease Immunity and Intervention, College of Medicine, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, China; College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027 China; Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui, China.

Drug Discovery Today
|July 27, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Targeting the ErbB/HER family with novel drugs like TKIs, mAbs, and ADCs improves cancer treatment. Combination therapies enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity for better patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The ErbB/HER family plays a critical role in tumor progression and immune responses.
  • Targeting the ErbB/HER family offers significant potential for cancer drug discovery.
  • Existing ErbB/HER-targeted agents include tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in single and combined anti-cancer therapeutics targeting the ErbB/HER family.
  • To highlight the potential of these agents as transformative cancer treatment strategies.
  • To discuss drug design and development efforts for improved selectivity and efficacy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on ErbB/HER-targeted therapies.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data and FDA-approved agents.
  • Discussion of structural, mechanistic, and efficacy data for single and combination therapies.

Main Results:

  • ErbB/HER-targeted agents have demonstrated effectiveness in improving treatment efficacy, reducing drug resistance, and lowering systemic toxicity.
  • Multiple ErbB/HER-targeted agents have received FDA approval and are used in global clinical trials.
  • Combination therapies, including immunotherapy and chemotherapy, enhance the therapeutic effects of ErbB/HER-targeted agents.

Conclusions:

  • ErbB/HER-targeted therapeutics, both as single agents and in combination, represent promising strategies for improving cancer treatment.
  • Continued research into drug design and development is crucial for optimizing selectivity and efficacy.
  • These targeted approaches hold significant potential to transform cancer care and improve patient outcomes.
Keywords:
ErbB/HER-targeted therapeutic agentsadoptive cell transferantibody–drug conjugatesimmune checkpoint inhibitorstumor microenvironment

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