Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) (HER-2)

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), encoded by the ERBB2 gene, is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase and a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family (UniProt: P04626). It plays a critical role in regulating cell growth, survival, and differentiation through the activation of the PI3K/Akt and Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathways (PubMed: 25222523). While HER-2 lacks a direct ligand-binding domain, it acts as a potent co-receptor that undergoes heterodimerization with other ErbB family members. In various malignancies, most notably breast and gastric cancers, HER-2 is frequently overexpressed or amplified, serving as a primary driver of oncogenesis and a marker of aggressive disease (StatPearls: NBK538250). Therapeutic interventions include monoclonal antibodies like trastuzumab, which block signaling and induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and small-molecule inhibitors like lapatinib that target the kinase domain. The use of autologous type 1 polarized dendritic cells (DC1) to present HER-2 antigenic peptides via MHC molecules is an investigational immunotherapeutic approach designed to elicit a robust Th1-mediated anti-tumor T-cell response (PubMed: 28103458). This strategy aims to overcome immune tolerance and provide long-lasting surveillance against HER-2-positive tumor cells.

Other names

ERBB2CD340Receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-2Proto-oncogene NeuNEUNGLTKR1

Inhibition of HER-2 extracellular domain dimerization, inhibition of intracellular tyrosine kinase activity, induction of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), and induction of antigen-specific T-cell immune responses via dendritic cell presentation.