Biomaterial Database

The role of the HER-2/neu oncogene in gynecologic cancers. 1996

F D Cirisano, and B Y Karlan

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.

OBJECTIVE The HER-2/neu proto-oncogene (also known as c-erbB2, neu, and HER2) encodes a 185-kDa transmembrane glycoprotein with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity that resembles the receptor for epidermal growth factor. Aberrant HER-2/neu protein overexpression occurs in human gynecologic adenocarcinomas, including those of the ovary, endometrium, breast, fallopian tube, and cervix, and is secondary to gene amplification and/or overexpression of the p185HER2 protein. METHODS A Medline literature search revealed numerous studies on HER-2/neu and tumor biology, cancer prognosis, and therapeutic targeting. We present a review of the literature pertinent to gynecologic malignancies. RESULTS Overexpression of HER-2/neu was found to be a poor prognostic factor for survival from advanced-stage ovarian cancer, node-positive breast cancer, and endometrial cancer. Although a specific ligand has not been definitively identified, HER-2/neu may have unusually complex activation pathways because it can form both homodimeric and heterodimeric associations with other related receptor proteins. Preliminary findings suggest that serum HER-2/neu levels may be used as a tumor marker in a subset of patients with tumors that overexpress the HER-2/neu receptor. Receptor-targeted therapeutics currently being studied include the use of receptor antibodies, liposomally delivered antisense DNA, antigen-activated cytotoxic lymphocytes, and adenovirus-mediated E1A delivery to overexpressing tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS HER-2/neu appears to play an important role in the biologic behavior of ovarian, endometrial, and breast cancers and holds potential as a target for oncogene-directed therapies.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010051	Ovarian Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the OVARY. These neoplasms can be benign or malignant. They are classified according to the tissue of origin, such as the surface EPITHELIUM, the stromal endocrine cells, and the totipotent GERM CELLS.	Cancer of Ovary,Ovarian Cancer,Cancer of the Ovary,Neoplasms, Ovarian,Ovary Cancer,Ovary Neoplasms,Cancer, Ovarian,Cancer, Ovary,Cancers, Ovarian,Cancers, Ovary,Neoplasm, Ovarian,Neoplasm, Ovary,Neoplasms, Ovary,Ovarian Cancers,Ovarian Neoplasm,Ovary Cancers,Ovary Neoplasm
D011379	Prognosis	A prediction of the probable outcome of a disease based on a individual's condition and the usual course of the disease as seen in similar situations.	Prognostic Factor,Prognostic Factors,Factor, Prognostic,Factors, Prognostic,Prognoses
D001943	Breast Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the human BREAST.	Breast Cancer,Breast Tumors,Cancer of Breast,Breast Carcinoma,Cancer of the Breast,Human Mammary Carcinoma,Malignant Neoplasm of Breast,Malignant Tumor of Breast,Mammary Cancer,Mammary Carcinoma, Human,Mammary Neoplasm, Human,Mammary Neoplasms, Human,Neoplasms, Breast,Tumors, Breast,Breast Carcinomas,Breast Malignant Neoplasm,Breast Malignant Neoplasms,Breast Malignant Tumor,Breast Malignant Tumors,Breast Neoplasm,Breast Tumor,Cancer, Breast,Cancer, Mammary,Cancers, Mammary,Carcinoma, Breast,Carcinoma, Human Mammary,Carcinomas, Breast,Carcinomas, Human Mammary,Human Mammary Carcinomas,Human Mammary Neoplasm,Human Mammary Neoplasms,Mammary Cancers,Mammary Carcinomas, Human,Neoplasm, Breast,Neoplasm, Human Mammary,Neoplasms, Human Mammary,Tumor, Breast
D002583	Uterine Cervical Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the UTERINE CERVIX.	Cancer of Cervix,Cancer of the Cervix,Cancer of the Uterine Cervix,Cervical Cancer,Cervical Neoplasms,Cervix Cancer,Cervix Neoplasms,Neoplasms, Cervical,Neoplasms, Cervix,Uterine Cervical Cancer,Cancer, Cervical,Cancer, Cervix,Cancer, Uterine Cervical,Cervical Cancer, Uterine,Cervical Cancers,Cervical Neoplasm,Cervical Neoplasm, Uterine,Cervix Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Cervix,Neoplasm, Uterine Cervical,Uterine Cervical Cancers,Uterine Cervical Neoplasm
D005185	Fallopian Tube Neoplasms	Benign or malignant neoplasms of the FALLOPIAN TUBES. They are uncommon. If they develop, they may be located in the wall or within the lumen as a growth attached to the wall by a stalk.	Cancer of the Fallopian Tube,Fallopian Tube Cancer,Cancer, Fallopian Tube,Cancers, Fallopian Tube,Fallopian Tube Cancers,Fallopian Tube Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Fallopian Tube,Neoplasms, Fallopian Tube
D005260	Female		Females
D005833	Genital Neoplasms, Female	Tumor or cancer of the female reproductive tract (GENITALIA, FEMALE).	Gynecologic Neoplasms,Female Genital Neoplasms,Neoplasms, Female Genital,Neoplasms, Gynecologic,Female Genital Neoplasm,Genital Neoplasm, Female,Gynecologic Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Female Genital,Neoplasm, Gynecologic
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000090063	Proto-Oncogene Mas	A protein that is encoded by the MAS1 gene. It is a receptor for ANGIOTENSIN 1-7 and acts as an antagonist of ANGIOTENSIN-2 TYPE 1 RECEPTOR.	C-Mas Protein,II-Proto-Oncogene Proteins, Cellular,Mas Protein,Mas1 Protein,Proto-Oncogene Protein Mas,Proto-Oncogene Proteins C-Mas-1,C Mas Protein,C-Mas-1, Proto-Oncogene Proteins,Cellular II-Proto-Oncogene Proteins,II Proto Oncogene Proteins, Cellular,Mas, Proto-Oncogene,Protein Mas, Proto-Oncogene,Protein, C-Mas,Protein, Mas,Protein, Mas1,Proteins, Cellular II-Proto-Oncogene,Proto Oncogene Mas,Proto Oncogene Proteins C Mas 1
D014158	Transcription, Genetic	The biosynthesis of RNA carried out on a template of DNA. The biosynthesis of DNA from an RNA template is called REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION.	Genetic Transcription