HER2/neu

Reference work entry
First Online:

Abstract

HER2 is a 185 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein in the receptor tyrosine kinase family that also includes EGFR or HER1 (erbB1), HER3 (erbB3), and HER4 19 (erbB4). HER2 gene amplification and protein overexpression is seen in 20–25% of breast cancers. HER2 protein overexpression is an independent predictor of poor prognosis, thus, the receptor has become a focus for several novel types of targeted therapies. Some patients whose tumors overexpress HER2 develop immunity directed against the protein. Immunotherapeutic approaches aimed at generating or augmenting immunity to HER2 have been also been developed.

Keywords

erbB2/neu. See Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) Adoptive T cell therapy Assessment FISH assay Gene amplification Immunogenic in cancer Immunohistochemistry In cancer Inhibitors Lapatinib PI3K/AKT and RAS-MAPK pathways Plasmid DNA vaccines Preclinical studies Trastuzumab Vaccines Lapatinib Neratinib Pertuzumab Trastuzumab-DM1 (T-DM1) 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2017

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Tumor Vaccine GroupUniversity of WashingtonSeattleUSA
  2. 2.Clinical DevelopmentSeattle Genetics, Inc.BothellUSA

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