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  • Experimental Oncology
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Functional assay for HER-2/neu demonstrates active signalling in a minority of HER-2/neu-overexpressing invasive human breast tumours

British Journal of Cancer volume 74, pages 802–806 (1996)Cite this article

Abstract

Overexpression of HER-2/neu in human breast carcinomas correlates with poor prognosis, although its strength as a prognostic indicator varies widely in different reports. Variability may be due to active signalling by HER-2/neu in a subset of the tumours in which it is overexpressed. To study this hypothesis, we have developed an activation state-specific anti-HER-2/neu monoclonal antibody. In this report, we use this antibody to analyse the signalling status of HER-2/neu in a large series of invasive breast carcinomas. Overexpression of HER-2/neu was detected in 9% of 223 cases. Of the cases demonstrating overexpression, active signalling by HER-2/neu was detected in only 35%. The clinicopathological characteristics of these cases are described. This functional assay is predicted to improve the utility of HER-2/ neu as a prognostic indicator.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, 06510, CT, USA

    MP DiGiovanna

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  1. MP DiGiovanna
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  2. D Carter
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  3. SD Flynn
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  4. DF Stern
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DiGiovanna, M., Carter, D., Flynn, S. et al. Functional assay for HER-2/neu demonstrates active signalling in a minority of HER-2/neu-overexpressing invasive human breast tumours. Br J Cancer 74, 802–806 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1996.439

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1996.439

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