Facoltà di Ingegneria Civile e Industriale

HER2 (Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2) is a protein that plays a significant role in the development and progression of certain aggressive types of breast cancer. In about 15-20% of breast cancers, the HER2 gene is amplified, leading to overexpression of the HER2 protein.
During targeted treatment, HER2-positive breast cancers invariably lose HER2 DNA amplification. In contrast, and interestingly, HER2 proteins may be either lost or gained. To longitudinally and systematically appreciate complex/discordant changes in HER2 DNA/protein stoichiometry, HER2 DNA copy numbers and soluble blood proteins were tested in parallel, by liquid biopsy, and in two-dimensions by means of dPCR and ELISA techniques.
The study is one of the results outcoming from a research project led by Dr. Alessandra Fabi and Dr. Patrizio Giacomini from Precision Medicine Unit in Senology of Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli and the Translational Oncology Research Unit at Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, in collaboration with Dr. Sinibaldi and Prof. Michelotti from the SBAI Department of Sapienza ICI and was recently published in Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research.
Ongoing research continues to explore new therapies and combinations of treatments to improve outcomes for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. The proposed clinical trial is a crucial part of this research, offering patients access to cutting-edge treatments. The project was supported by Regione Lazio/Lazio Innova torugh te program Progetti Gruppi di Ricerca 2020 (ERBB2-2D, grant n. A0375-2020-36630).

More information: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-024-03105-9