The ErbB 2 Oncogene and Chemotherapy: a Mini-Review

AbstractThe erbB 2 gene, also known as Her-2/neu, is an oncogene that encodes a transmembrane glycoprotein receptor. When overexpressed erbB 2 is an indicator of poor prognosis in a number of cancers. Recent studies show that erbB 2 expression plays a role in the prediction of responsiveness to adjuvant treatment: tumors that had an overexpression of the oncogene were less responsive to treatment than those with a normal amount. Some studies on this oncogene have examined the production of anti-erbB 2 monoclonal antibodies and evaluated the combined effect of monoclonal antibody and chemotherapeutics.