EGFR/HER2 in breast cancer: a biological approach for molecular diagnosis and therapy.
Novel cancer therapies have focused on specific molecular markers present in malignant tumors. The rationale of targeted therapy relies on the knowledge of molecular mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis and their influence in clinical outcome allied to a more specific and less toxic treatment. Activation of EGF receptor and HER2 is an important factor for initiation and progression of malignancies, including breast cancer where the status of HER2 is an essential step in the diagnostic workup; EGFR overexpression has been associated to the so-called basal-like breast carcinomas, which opens a new avenue for diagnosis and therapeutic approach in these tumors. This review will focus on mechanisms of HER2 and EGF receptor upregulation, the targeted therapies that are currently in use for these receptors, possible combined therapies, as well as the approach for molecular diagnosis from the pathologist's point of view.
Milanezi
Fernanda
F
Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. mmilanezi@ipatimup.pt
Carvalho
Silvia
S
Schmitt
Fernando C
FC
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D018295:Neoplasms, Basal Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015854:Up-Regulation
D066246:ErbB Receptors; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; C512478:EGFR protein, human; C508053:ERBB2 protein, human