HER2-directed antibody

HER2-directed antibodies are a class of targeted therapeutic monoclonal antibodies designed to bind to the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a receptor tyrosine kinase that is overexpressed or amplified in various cancers, most notably breast, gastric, gastroesophageal junction, and other solid tumors. By binding to specific domains of the extracellular portion of HER2, these antibodies inhibit downstream oncogenic signaling pathways (such as PI3K/Akt and MAPK), prevent receptor dimerization, facilitate receptor internalization and degradation, and induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Prominent examples of HER2-directed antibodies include trastuzumab and pertuzumab, which are widely used as monotherapies, in combination with chemotherapy, or as the targeting component of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) like trastuzumab deruxtecan and ado-trastuzumab emtansine.