HER-2: a biomarker at the crossroads of breast cancer immunotherapy and molecular medicine

J Cell Physiol. 2005 Oct;205(1):10-8. doi: 10.1002/jcp.20387.

Abstract

The oncoprotein encoded by the HER-2 oncogene is a member of the HER family of receptor tyrosine kinases and is actually the first successfully exploited target molecule in new biomolecular therapies of solid tumors. The association of HER-2 overexpression with human tumors, its extracellular accessibility, as well as its involvement in tumor aggressiveness are all factors that make this receptor an appropriate target for tumor-specific therapy. In addition, HER-2 overexpression fosters its immunogenicity, as shown by the frequency of B and T cell-mediated responses against this oncoprotein in cancer patients, and it is being investigated as a promising molecule for either passive and active immunotherapy strategies. This review summarizes a number of immune intervention approaches that target HER-2 in breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / immunology
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Receptor, ErbB-2