title: The erbB 2 oncogene and chemotherapy: a mini-review.
abstract: The erbB 2 gene, also known as Her-2/neu, is an oncogene that encodes a transmembrane glycoprotein receptor. When overexpressed erbB 2 is an indicator of poor prognosis in a number of cancers. Recent studies show that erbB 2 expression plays a role in the prediction of responsiveness to adjuvant treatment: tumors that had an overexpression of the oncogene were less responsive to treatment than those with a normal amount. Some studies on this oncogene have examined the production of anti-erbB 2 monoclonal antibodies and evaluated the combined effect of monoclonal antibody and chemotherapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Sezione Decentrata di Tecnologie Biomediche dell'Istituto Tumori di Genova, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Torre
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Salimbeni
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Fulco
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D018734:Genes, erbB-2; D006801:Humans; D000922:Immunotoxins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000922:Immunotoxins