HER and cancer

Question 1

What can cancer be caused by?

Answer 1

Physical carcinogens
Chemical carcinogens
Biological carcinogens

Question 2

What is ‘HER’?

Answer 2

Human epidermal growth factor receptors

Question 3

What happens when a ligand binds to HER ?

Answer 3

With the exception of HER2, HER undergoes a conformational change- essential for dimerisation and signalling

Question 4

What does the receptor do?

Answer 4

Either homo- or heterodimerise

Question 5

What does dimerisation achieve?

Answer 5

Dimerisation activates the tyrosine kinase domain

Question 6

How can you measure gene amplification?

Answer 6

Fluorescence In Situ Hybridisation (FISH)

Question 7

2 ways in which antibodies can target HER2 receptors

Answer 7

1. Antibody binding can interfere with receptor signalling

2. Binding can target cells for destruction by the bodies of the immune system

Question 8

What are monoclonal antibodies?

Answer 8

Large number of antibodies that all recognise a single epitope of an antigen

Question 9

What id 4D5?

Answer 9

A monoclonal antibody that binds to the extracellular domain of HER2- and inhibits proliferation

Question 10

What is herceptin?

Answer 10

The humanised version of 4DA

Question 11

What are future possibilities in cancer treatment?

Answer 11

1. HER2 dimerisation inhibitors
2. Antibody drug conjugates
3. Targeting other HER family members