HER-2-targeted therapy: lessons learned and future directions.
HER-2 is overexpressed in 20-25% of invasive breast cancers and is associated with an aggressive tumor phenotype and reduced survival rates. The HER-2 status of a tumor is the critical determinant of response to the HER-2-targeted antibody trastuzumab. Thus, accurate assessment of HER-2 expression levels is essential for identifying breast cancer patients who will benefit from HER-2-targeted therapy. Trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy increases response rates, time to progression, and survival. However, the majority of cancers that initially respond to trastuzumab begin to progress again within 1 year. This minireview describes HER-2 targeting strategies currently in use or in stages of development for the treatment of breast cancer.
Nahta
Rita
R
Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030-4009, USA.
Esteva
Francisco J
FJ
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000068878:Trastuzumab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab