Lapatinib and Neratinib: Using combination drug therapy to advance the effect of the treatment of HER2 Positive Breast Cancer

There are four receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) in the ´HER´ or ErbB receptor family: EGFR, HER2, HER3, and HER4. This family of receptors is involved in many cellular functions including growth, division and apoptosis. The regulation of ErbB can occur in subregions of the membrane and are vital to the continued health of the cell. These RTKs are known for their involvement in many forms of cancer. The study of HER2 positive breast cancer accounts for approximately 20% of breast cancers, and has been noted as one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. In this study, three different pharmaceutical agents, trastuzumab (monoclonal antibody), and intracellular kinase inhibitors, lapatinib and neratinib are used in various concentrations and combinations to determine optimal efficacy in two HER2 positive cell lines.