The role of HER2/neu expression and trastuzumab in non-small cell lung cancer.
Research over the past decade has led to an increased understanding of the pathophysiology of lung cancer. The HER2/neu receptor is a member of the ErbB family of signaling-transduction receptors and appears to play a major role in the development of lung cancer as well as many other solid tumors. HER2/neu is overexpressed in 16% to 57% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and studies have shown that HER2/neu overexpression imparts a poor prognosis in both resected and advanced NSCLC, as it does in breast cancer. Trastuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that recognizes the HER2/neu protein receptor, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for patients with HER2/neu-positive metastatic breast cancer. In NSCLC preclinical studies, marked synergistic growth inhibition occurred when standard cytotoxic chemotherapy was combined with trastuzumab in HER2/neu-expressing cell lines. In the clinical setting, trastuzumab has proven safe and feasible in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy in both single-institution and multi-institutional cooperative group studies. Unlike the experience in advanced breast cancer, cardiac toxicity is a marginal concern in this population. However, to date, clinical studies with trastuzumab in patients with NSCLC have not shown a demonstrable advantage for the majority of patients.
University of Colorado Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology/Pathology, Denver 80262, USA.
Fred R
FR
Hirsch
Corey J
CJ
Langer
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab