A critical review of HER2-positive gastric cancer evaluation and treatment: from trastuzumab, and beyond

Cancer Lett. 2014 Aug 28;351(1):30-40. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.05.019. Epub 2014 Jun 3.

Abstract

Identification of the importance of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) status, biomarker testing and the development of anti-HER2 treatments have changed the prognosis of breast and gastric cancers. The addition of trastuzumab to chemotherapy has improved outcomes for patients with HER2-positive metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach and gastroesophageal junction, but some relevant issues remain to be elucidated or will emerge with new drugs. This article reviews the current state of HER2 in gastric cancer focusing on diagnostic and anti-HER2 targeted treatment issues and the role of trastuzumab in localized disease, and its combination or integration with new therapies.

Keywords: Gastric cancer; HER2; Review; Trastuzumab.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism*
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Stomach Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology
  • Trastuzumab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Trastuzumab