HER2 Oncogene as Molecular Target in Uterine Serous Carcinoma and Uterine Carcinosarcoma

Abstract

Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) and uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) are two rare histologic variants of uterine carcinoma, with distinct molecular profiles and aggressive metastatic potential. As the effectivity of traditional platinum-based chemotherapy for USC and UCS is low, and there are high rates of resistance and recurrence, the development of novel targeted therapeutics is needed. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) has proven to be an oncogene of increasing interest in these cancers, as HER2 protein overexpression and/or c-ERBB2 gene amplification ranges from ~30 to 35% in USC, and between ~15 and 20% in UCS. This review summarizes the existing clinical and preclinical evidence, as well as ongoing clinical trials of HER2-targeting therapeutics, and identifies potential areas of further development and inquiry.

Keywords

• HER2
• uterine serous carcinoma
• carcinosarcoma
• antibody–drug conjugate
• gynecologic malignancy
• chemotherapy