HER2 - Info

HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) or ERBB2 (erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2) is a protein that occurs on the surface of cells. It plays an important role in the regulation of cell division and cell growth. In some types of cancer, particularly breast cancer, the her2 gene is excessively active (known as overexpression or amplification). This causes the cells to grow faster and divide uncontrollably, which contributes to the development and spread of cancer.

Standard methods for HER2 testing include fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), which quantifies the copy number of the her2 gene, and immunohistochemistry (IHC), which measures HER2 expression on the cell surface. IHC quantifies the HER2 protein expressed on the cell surface using fluorescence-labelled antibodies, while FISH indicates the level of amplification of the her2 gene using DNA probes that bind to specific areas of the chromosomes.

HER2-positive cancer means that the tumour has a high number of HER2 proteins, which is usually associated with a more aggressive course of the disease. As a result, intensive research is being conducted into therapy options that specifically target this receptor. Either the extracellular domain of the receptor is targeted by monoclonal antibodies or the intracellular domain by inhibitors. Both therapeutic approaches aim to prevent signalling within the cell, which would lead to further cell division and growth.

The first approved monoclonal antibody for the treatment of HER2+ metastatic breast cancer was trastuzumab (trade name Herceptin®; Roche) in 1998. Almost 10 years later, the first inhibitory molecule lapatinib (trade name Tyverb®; GSK) was approved. Subsequently, the first antibody-drug conjugate Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine (T-DM1; trade name Kadcyla®; Roche) was launched on the market in 2013.

Overall, the introduction of HER2-targeted therapies has significantly improved the prognosis for many patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. Continuous research and development of new drugs and treatment strategies is expected to further improve survival rates and quality of life for those affected. Nevertheless, HER2-positive breast cancer remains a challenge, especially in advanced stages, which emphasises the need for further research.

At Hölzel you will find a wide range of products for HER2-related research: