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HER2 in Cancer Summary

HER2 dysregulation is an important step in tumor growth

• Gene amplification and receptor overexpression can create an excess of HER2 signaling¹
• HER2 signaling can lead to multiple effects on cancer cells, including⁵:
  • Cell proliferation
  • DNA synthesis
  • Tumorigenesis
• HER2 is the preferred dimerization partner for all HER family receptors²
• HER2/HER3 and HER1/HER2 heterodimers are of particular importance in cancer^3,4,6

HER2 is a negative prognostic factor

• HER2 is correlated with poor outcomes in
  • Breast cancer^11-13
    • Increased relative risk
    • Shorter overall survival
  • Ovarian cancer¹⁴
    • Shorter overall survival

HER2 represents a therapeutic target

• HER2 has been successfully targeted in breast cancer and is being investigated as a potential therapeutic target in ovarian cancer
• Methods of targeting the HER2 receptor under investigation include:
  • Prevention of receptor activation by binding to the extracellular domain of the receptor²⁸
  • Prevention of HER2 dimerization²⁸
  • Inhibiting phosphorylation of the tyrosine kinase domain of the receptor⁴
  • Inhibiting HER pathway signaling intermediates⁴

Additional clinical research is necessary to further clarify the relationship between HER2 and cancer.