A Simple Guide for the Newly
Diagnosed Patients and Caregivers
A Simple Guide for the Newly Diagnosed Patients and Caregivers HER 2 PositiveCancer
Simplifying the HER 2 Positive Cancer Mutation
Human Epidermal Receptor
Human
Epidermal growth factor
Receptor
2
There are 4 siblings in the HER family – HER 1, HER 2, HER 3 & HER 4.
If HER 2 is prominent on a cell that is cancerous, it is referred to as HER 2 Positive. HER 2 Positive tumors are more aggressive.
- Growth factors called ligands search for these cell receptors.
- Receptors are protein structures on the cell surface.
- Cells expresses these receptors on their surface.
- The incoming growth factors signals bind to the receptors.
- Receptors must pair to enable the growth factors to move along the pathway into the cell – this pairing is called dimerization.
- The dimerization of HER2 & HER 3 is associated to stronger signals and is often referred to as HER 2 positive.
- See video below
HER 2 Simplified Commonly referred to as the HER2 Pathway.There are 4 siblings in the HER family – HER 1, HER 2, HER 3 & HER 4
HOUSE KEEPING
- Join our email updates – we only send you relevant updates.
- Read about how the Cancer Tool Kit began
- Find a Clinical Trial –Clinical trials are conducted in most countries
What creates HER 2 Positive Cancer
Over Expression
Cells express these ligand Receptors on their surface, but sometimes they over express them, which means there are too many receptors receiving too many growth factor signals, this sends the cell growth cycle into overdrive.
- Cells grow too fast and do not mature properly before they divide.
- These immature cells are then referred to as mutated
- These mutations can become rampant and cancerous.
HOUSE KEEPING
- We have developed a series of Cancer Tool Kits, for Newly Diagnosed Patients and Caregivers – Priority tasks …
- Is there a term that you cannot understand ? please ask 0r add a comment below or email Steve or email Claire
- Have you seen Steve Holmes CCA Interview on overcoming an unbeatable metastatic cancer
HER 2 Cancer Mutations
Human Epidermal Receptors and Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy drugs designed to perform one single task are referred to as monoclonal agents (Monoclonal Antibodies). HER 2 – Simplified
- Monoclonal drugs are designed to interfere or block the HER pathways. They are often depicted in diagrams like a “Y” shaped blocker attaching to the receptors.
- The science is that the monoclonal antibodies (Y) attach to the HER 2 receptor preventing the growth factors from entering the cell.
- This treatment has been very successful in Breast Cancer patients but less successful in other cancer types such as Lung, or Pancreatic.
- There are many trials that are searching for better results outside of breast cancer.
HER 2 Simplified Commonly referred to as the HER2 Pathway.There are 4 siblings in the HER family – HER 1, HER 2, HER 3 & HER 4
HOUSE KEEPING
- What are Monoclonal Antibodies – Try the Mayo’s Clinics Explanation
- What is dimerization ? “The process by which two molecules of the same chemical composition form a condensation product or polymer.
- Join our updates, they are simple patient and caregiver updates and interpretations
References + Media – HER 2 -Simplified
Source: National Cancer Institute
Simplifying and understanding your Cancer Mutations is a vital starting point.
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