Question

What is the role of Her2/neu testing in breast cancer?

A) To detect mutations in tumor suppressor genes
B) To identify the presence of telomerase
C) To determine targeted therapy options based on gene mutations
D) To measure the level of angiogenesis in the tumor

Answer 1

Her2/neu testing in breast cancer is used to identify patients who will benefit from targeted therapies such as Herceptin, a drug that improves survival rates in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer when used alongside chemotherapy. Option A is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The role of Her2/neu testing in breast cancer is to determine targeted therapy options based on gene mutations. Specifically, HER2 is a cell-surface receptor that, when overexpressed due to gene duplication, contributes to the unregulated cell division seen in approximately 20-30 percent of human breast cancers.

Testing for HER2 overexpression is crucial because it can guide the use of targeted therapies like Herceptin (trastuzumab), which is a monoclonal antibody that targets the HER2 receptor. By binding to HER2, Herceptin helps control cellular signaling and can improve the overall survival rate of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer when used in combination with chemotherapy.