Is the HER-2 gene only found in breast tissue?

[Fontaine]

I seem to recall reading something that said it was a gene found in all cells and its purpose dealt with cell division and replication. But I can't remember where I read it to go back and check. If this is so, wouldn't it be a factor in other cancers? I'm confused about this and hope someone who knows more about the ins and outs of it will respond.

I tried asking my oncologist but my appt. with him was cancelled (that's another story) and the nurse who infused me (Herceptin) forgot to ask him. (He recently merged his practice with another and I'm in the process of looking for another oncologist. Love him but the new practice is another story!)

[Sheila]

Fontaine
Her2 can be found in other areas of the body...my breast cancer was Her2 3+, then 1 year and a half later, I had lymph nodes that popped up in my neck removed...they were tested and found to be Her2 3+....
Hope this helps

Sheila

[Becky]

Breast cancer can be Her 2 positive (as we know) but ovarian and prostate cancers can be as well. (Like breast cancer, not all ovarian or prostate cancers are Her 2+ but a certain percentage).

Best wishes

Becky

[al from canada]

HER2 is a gene that is expressed in most tissue especially embryonic tissue. It is when it is over expressed that cancer may develop. Her 2 also has partners: HER1, HER3, and HER4. HER 1,2 and 3 are involved with cancer cells and HER4 is mostly associated with normal cells.
I don't know if this helps,
Al

[Fontaine]

That's what I remember reading, Al. That HER-2 was simply a gene that had to do with cell division and was found in most all cells. It was only when it overexpressed and did so in cancer cells (e.g., in the breast) that it caused a problem since it increased replication of the cancerous cells.

I can see I need to do a lot more research on this. I met a woman who works at Gentech at a conference, by chance, and can ask her. If she doesn't know, sure she knows folks who do--really well.

Do you know if it's used for these other hormone-based cancers, too? If not, wonder what it is about breast cells that make them different. And yes, I drove my poor Mother nuts with questions as a kid!

[Becky]

I know for a fact that Herceptin rarely (less than 5% of the time) effective in taming Her 2 positive ovarian cancer. I don't know the statistics of Her 2 positive prostate cancer.

Becky

[AlaskaAngel]

It is involved in some lung cancer too - AlaskaAngel

[StephN]

Hi there -
It is my understanding that these cells are also found in heart muscle tissue in greater amounts than in some other areas of the body.
This is why Herceptin can give us heart problems - it is attacking a certain number of Her2 cells in this tissue as well and can weaken the muscle in our heart area.

Maybe Christine or Joe has a better explanation of this - but I have heard this more than once.

Which is the reason I take my CoEnzyme Q10 religiously since I am on Herceptin indefinitely. And so far WITHOUT any noticeable heart damage. My echocardiogram this spring showed all was normal.

[*_AlaskaAngel_*]

Is Herceptin under study for cancers other than breast cancer?

Yes. Herceptin is also being studied in clinical trials for other types of cancer, including osteosarcoma (a type of bone cancer) and cancers of the lung, pancreas, salivary gland, colon, prostate, endometrium (lining of the uterus), and bladder. Some patients with these types of cancer have tumors that overexpress the HER-2 protein. These patients will be possible candidates for clinical trials with Herceptin.