human epidermal growth factor receptor 2

Specific mutations in genes called HER2, BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, and p53 have been linked to breast cancer. These mutations may be inherited or acquired. Mutations that are inherited often substantially increase a person’s risk for developing breast cancer. For example, whereas some 12 percent of women in the general population…

An example is the HER2 gene, which in 1987 was found to be overexpressed in an aggressive form of breast cancer. This discovery fueled research into anti-HER2 antibodies, and by 1998 trastuzumab (Herceptin), the first HER2-targeted antibody, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for HER2-positive…