A review of HER2 overexpression and somatic mutations in cancers

The Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (HER) proteins family, which includes HER2, are membrane-bound receptors that activate many intracellular pathways associated with growth and development. When there are mutations in HER2, or when it becomes overexpressed, it can cause oncogenesis and offer differential prognosis and treatment across almost all cancer types. Both mutations in HER2 and its overexpression have distinct mechanisms by which they can cause these effects in cancers. This review outlines how HER2's normal pathway is altered in both overexpression and mutation and compiles all the well-known mechanisms by which HER2 can cause oncogenesis. Finally, this review briefly outlines how HER2 mutants and HER2 overexpression is detected, and how their detection can lead to different prognosis and treatment in cancers.