Klin Onkol 2005; 18(1): 23-26.
Summary.
Background: HER-2/neu oncogene codes the transmembrane growth factor receptor, HER-2/neu oncoprotein. Its overexpression of up to 30 % was proved in breast cancer patient primary tumor tissue. Extracellular domain of this oncoprotein can be found in circulation.
Material, methods: We evaluated dynamics of serum HER-2/neu changes (ELISA Oncogene Science, USA) in our group of 28 patients during Herceptin therapy.
Results: Non-responding patients evaluated at the time of first restaging (usually 3 months) are characterized by significantly higher concentrations of serum HER-2/neu which are always above cut-off level. Serum HER-2/neu concentrations in patients with best clinical response characterized as complete or partial remission usually normalize within three months of therapy, even though the pretreatment levels were high. Serum CEA and CA15-3 levels do not show significant differences between these two patients groups. Serum HER-2/neu during the initial three months of Herceptin treatment is also the best predictor of therapy failure in long-term follow up.
Conclusion: Serum HER-2/neu determination during Herceptin therapy appears to be a suitable therapy efficacy validation parameter both at the start and during long-term therapy application.
