HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is a protein that promotes cell growth. It can be found on the surface of all cells, including normal cells.
HER2-positive breast cancer cells have an overabundance of the HER2 protein (also known as HER2 overexpression). This amplifies the message to grow that is transmitted to the cancer cells, accelerating their growth and division. HER2-positivity means that breast cancer is more aggressive, thus their treatment will be more effective if they receive medication designed specifically to act against the HER2 protein. On the other hand, HER2-negative breast cancer cells do not overexpress HER2, so these patients will not benefit from medication designed to act against the HER2 protein.
Breast cancer treatment is basically devised based on the type of breast cancer the patient has, its stage, and any other special circumstances. A patient’s treatment plan is also affected by other factors, such as overall health and personal preference. Patients might receive different types of treatment plans and combinations, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy.
This photo is created and owned by F.Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd
This article is created and owned by Roche Hong Kong
References:
- Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation. Targeted Therapy. https://www.hkbcf.org/en/breast_cancer/main/90. Accessed February 2022.
- American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer HER2 Status. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/understanding-a-breast-cancerdiagnosis/breast-cancer-her2-status.html. Accessed February 2022.
- National Breast Cancer Foundation. Molecular types of breast cancer. Available at: https://nbcf.org.au/about-national-breast-cancer-foundation/aboutbreast-cancer/stages-types-treatment-breast-cancer/molecular-types-breast-cancer. Accessed February 2022.
- Image from: Breast Cancer (BC), accessed at: https://forpatients.roche.com/en/trials/cancer/bc.html, last accessed on May 2022