EGFR/HER2 in breast cancer: a biological approach for molecular diagnosis and therapy

摘要

Novel cancer therapies have focused on specific molecular markers present in malignantntumors. The rationale of targeted therapy relies on the knowledge of molecular mechanismsninvolved in carcinogenesis and their influence in clinical outcome allied to a more specific andnless toxic treatment. Activation of EGF receptor and HER2 is an important factor for initiationnand progression of malignancies, including breast cancer where the status of HER2 is annessential step in the diagnostic workup; EGFR overexpression has been associated to the socallednbasal-like breast carcinomas, which opens a new avenue for diagnosis and therapeuticnapproach in these tumors. This review will focus on mechanisms of HER2 and EGF receptornupregulation, the targeted therapies that are currently in use for these receptors, possiblencombined therapies, as well as the approach for molecular diagnosis from the pathologist’snpoint of view.