Mass General Hospital Cancer Center treats patients with many cancer types. To learn more about the different cancer types that can be treated at the Cancer Center, please visit the Cancer Center website at the following page:
http://www.massgeneral.org/cancer/services/
CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE INFORMATIONERBB2, often called HER2, is a gene that provides the code for making a cell surface growth receptor called the ERBB2 (HER2). When certain growth factors (proteins that stimulate cell growth and division) bind to this receptor, they activate a signaling system inside the cell that ultimately promotes diverse functions such as growth, interaction and adhesion between cells, and ability of the cell to migrate within tissues. In some tumors, the activation of HER2 signaling is an important mechanism that drives the disease process. This can occur through HER2 gene amplification (the most common mechanism) or HER2 gene mutation in cancer cells.
Extra copies of the ERBB2 (HER2) gene (gene amplification) have been found in a number of different cancers. This causes the cancer cells to make excess HER2 (overexpression), which in turn, tells the cells to grow and divide in an uncontrolled manner. Genetic mutations (changes in the DNA sequence that codes the ERBB2 (HER2) protein have also been found in certain tumors.
Source: Genetics Home Reference
ERBB2, often called HER2, is a gene that provides the code for making a cell surface growth receptor called the ERBB2 (HER2). When certain growth factors (proteins that stimulate cell growth and division) bind to this receptor, they activate a signaling system inside the cell that ultimately promotes diverse functions such as growth, interaction and adhesion between cells, and ability of the cell to migrate within tissues. In some tumors, the activation of HER2 signaling is an important mechanism that drives the disease process. This can occur through HER2 gene amplification (the most common mechanism) or HER2 gene mutation in cancer cells.
Extra copies of the ERBB2 (HER2) gene (gene amplification) have been found in a number of different cancers. This causes the cancer cells to make excess HER2 (overexpression), which in turn, tells the cells to grow and divide in an uncontrolled manner. Genetic mutations (changes in the DNA sequence that codes the ERBB2 (HER2) protein have also been found in certain tumors.
Source: Genetics Home Reference
PubMed ID's
15864276,
9130710,
15457249,
16397024,
18772890,
16843263,
16988931,
22899400
The mutation of a gene provides clinicians with a very detailed look at your cancer. Knowing this information could change the course of your care. To learn how you can find out more about genetic testing please visit
http://www.massgeneral.org/cancer/news/faq.aspx or contact the Cancer Center.