Functional assay for HER-2/neu demonstrates active signalling in a minority of HER-2/neu-overexpressing invasive human breast tumours

M. P. DiGiovanna, D. Carter, S. D. Flynn, D. F. Stern

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

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 languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)802-806
Number of pages5
JournalBritish journal of cancer
Volume74
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Her-2/neu/c-erbB-2
  • Oncogene
  • Prognostic factor
  • Receptor tyrosine kinase

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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