HER4 associates with increased sensitivity to Herceptin in MBC
Abstract:http://breast-cancer-research.com/content/11/4/R50
Article:http://breast-cancer-research.com/co...df/bcr2339.pdf Hopeful |
Abstract Introduction: HER2 overexpression or rather HER2 gene amplification is indicative for Herceptin therapy in both metastatic and pre-metastatic breast cancer patients. Patient’s individual sensitivity to Herceptin treatment however varies enormously and spans from effectual responsiveness over acquired insensitivity to complete resistance from the outset. Thus no predictive information can be deduced from HER2 determination so that molecular biomarkers indicative for Herceptin sensitivity/resistance to Herceptin are needed to be identified. Both ErbB receptor dependent signalling molecules as well as HER2 related ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases, known to mutually interact and to crossregulate each other are prime candidates to be involved in cellular susceptibility to Herceptin. Methods: Using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridisation we retrospectively investigated primary breast cancer tissues from 48 patients who were under Herceptin treatment. We quantified the gene copy numbers of all HER receptors and evaluated their coexpression profile. Moreover the HER2 phosphorylation state, the ratio of native to truncated HER2, p27(kip1) and PTEN expression were objects of this study. Results: Above all markers investigated in this study Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis revealed a significant positive impact of HER4 (co-)expression on overall survival from beginning of antibody therapy. Both HER4 expression and HER4 gene amplification emerged as independent prognostic markers in Herceptin treated breast cancer patients and responsiveness to Herceptin turned out to be more efficient if tumour cells show HER4 expression. |
Wonder if a HER4 test is commonly available.
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Rich, this is something normally tested for only in clinical trials. I don't believe there is a standard test for it.
Hopeful |
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