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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,
22899400In some tumors, ERBB2 (Her2/EGFR) has been found to be expressed at a much higher level than in normal cells. This is called overexpression. The overexpression of a gene results in a much higher level of the ERBB2 (HER2/EGFR) protein in cancer cells, which drives tumor cell growth. Testing for overexpression of ERBB2/HER2/EGFR (all names for the same gene) is performed at MGH. Treatment and clinical trials for ERBB2 overexpression are underway at MGH and other large academic centers.
In some tumors, ERBB2 (Her2/EGFR) has been found to be expressed at a much higher level than in normal cells. This is called overexpression. The overexpression of a gene results in a much higher level of the ERBB2 (HER2/EGFR) protein in cancer cells, which drives tumor cell growth. Testing for overexpression of ERBB2/HER2/EGFR (all names for the same gene) is performed at MGH. Treatment and clinical trials for ERBB2 overexpression are underway at MGH and other large academic centers.