The biology of HER2+ breast cancer

An aggressive form of breast cancer

Patients diagnosed with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer have a more aggressive disease, associated with increased risk of metastases and a shorter overall survival.^2,6

While significant advances have been made with available HER2-targeted strategies, patients still face the risk of progression, especially in metastatic disease.⁶ Preclinical studies show that combination strategies with more than 1 targeted agent may offer a more comprehensive approach to tumor control and may delay or avoid the acquisition of resistance to individual therapies.¹ As our knowledge about the complexities of HER2+ disease evolves, including the interaction of HER2 with other members of the HER family, novel approaches to targeting HER2 are being uncovered.

Research continues to explore the complex signaling between HER family receptors and their ability to activate multiple signaling pathways, resulting in tumorigenesis.⁷ Our increased understanding of HER family interactions reveals that dimerization, a process that initiates downstream signaling, is a key mechanism at work in HER2+ disease.⁶

HER2+ breast cancer

• Approximately 25% of breast cancer patients present with HER2+ tumors⁶
• HER2+ breast cancer is a complex and aggressive malignancy, associated with poor prognosis⁶
• Preclinical studies indicate that HER2 overexpression is associated with negative estrogen receptor status⁸
• Women diagnosed with early-stage HER2+ breast cancer have a 5-year survival rate of 68%⁹