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The Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)

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Book cover Molecular Diagnostics

Part of the book series: Molecular and Translational Medicine ((MOLEMED))

Abstract

The declared “war on cancer” aimed to eradicate this disease using our knowledge of cancer cell biology to develop novel therapeutics. One such target of these novel therapies has been the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene. Unique in the approach to abolishing function of this gene-coded receptor, it was the first target of new monoclonal antibody therapy targeting the extracellular receptor and now also a target of small molecule drugs against the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain. In this instance, it was also one of the first applications of personalized medicine requiring companion diagnostics. In this manuscript, we review the biology and clinical applications of HER2 as a biomarker of disease and as a therapeutic target.

This manuscript was modified from a published review article in Clin Chem Lab Med, 2012. (http://www.reference-global.com/doi/abs/10.1515/CCLM.2011.707?prevSearch=%2528tsongalis%2529%2BUND%2B%255Bjournal%253A%2Bcclm%255D&searchHistoryKey=)

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA

    Laura J. Tafe M.D.

  2. Department of Pathology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA

    Gregory J. Tsongalis Ph.D., F.A.C.B, H.C.L.D., C.C.

Authors
  1. Laura J. Tafe M.D.
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  2. Gregory J. Tsongalis Ph.D., F.A.C.B, H.C.L.D., C.C.
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Correspondence to Laura J. Tafe M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Medicine and Pathology Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine Department of Laboratory, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

    W. Edward Highsmith, Jr.

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Tafe, L.J., Tsongalis, G.J. (2014). The Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2). In: Highsmith, Jr., W. (eds) Molecular Diagnostics. Molecular and Translational Medicine. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8127-0_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8127-0_3

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-8126-3

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