HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Should Borderline Her2+'s use herceptin??

Becky · 07-27-2006, 05:58 PM

There is an early release article for the next issue of the Journal on Oncology (ASCO) dealing with this issue (which I cannot cut and paste). In a nutshell, it had always been accepted that borderline Her 2 (2+) and FISH borderline would not benefit from Herceptin. However, there is question on this thought based on additional genetic markers.

It is well understood that Her 2 does not work in a vaccum. It loves to cross talk and other receptors love to talk to it. This article states that about 35% of Her2+ pathology is also strongly Her1+ and that 97% of all Her2s have some evidence (no matter how mild) of being Her1+. Her1 and Her2 need to be positive for Her3 to be active and if active, Her3 can phosphorylate on its own without dimerization. Therefore, they suggest, if Her2 is only mildly overexpressed but Her 1 is expressed, Herceptin could slow down or stop tumor growth due to inhibiting the Her1/Her2 crosstalk that activates Her3 (if expressed even mildly).

Hopefully you understood this. Other pathways are also discussed in the article and how they are influenced by her3 (p13K etc).

So... in some women, even if mildly overexpressed, Herceptin can help.

I will see if I can paste the article.

Kind regards

Becky

07-27-2006, 05:58 PM	#4
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	There is an early release article for the next issue of the Journal on Oncology (ASCO) dealing with this issue (which I cannot cut and paste). In a nutshell, it had always been accepted that borderline Her 2 (2+) and FISH borderline would not benefit from Herceptin. However, there is question on this thought based on additional genetic markers. It is well understood that Her 2 does not work in a vaccum. It loves to cross talk and other receptors love to talk to it. This article states that about 35% of Her2+ pathology is also strongly Her1+ and that 97% of all Her2s have some evidence (no matter how mild) of being Her1+. Her1 and Her2 need to be positive for Her3 to be active and if active, Her3 can phosphorylate on its own without dimerization. Therefore, they suggest, if Her2 is only mildly overexpressed but Her 1 is expressed, Herceptin could slow down or stop tumor growth due to inhibiting the Her1/Her2 crosstalk that activates Her3 (if expressed even mildly). Hopefully you understood this. Other pathways are also discussed in the article and how they are influenced by her3 (p13K etc). So... in some women, even if mildly overexpressed, Herceptin can help. I will see if I can paste the article. Kind regards Becky