Abstract
Overexpression of HER-2/neu in human breast carcinomas correlates with poor prognosis, although its strength as a prognostic indicator varies widely in different reports. Variability may be due to active signalling by HER-2/neu in a subset of the tumours in which it is overexpressed. To study this hypothesis, we have developed an activation state-specific anti-HER-2/neu monoclonal antibody. In this report, we use this antibody to analyse the signalling status of HER-2/neu in a large series of invasive breast carcinomas. Overexpression of HER-2/neu was detected in 9% of 223 cases. Of the cases demonstrating overexpression, active signalling by HER-2/neu was detected in only 35%. The clinicopathological characteristics of these cases are described. This functional assay is predicted to improve the utility of HER-2/neu as a prognostic indicator.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 802-806 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | British journal of cancer |
Volume | 74 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1996 |
Keywords
- Breast cancer
- Her-2/neu/c-erbB-2
- Oncogene
- Prognostic factor
- Receptor tyrosine kinase
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Cancer Research