Targeting HER-2/Neu in serous endometrial cancer: A review

Serous endometrial cancer is a clinically aggressive type of uterine cancer, responsible for a disproportionate incidence of advanced stage disease, recurrences and deaths. Serous endometrial cancers are characterized by alteration of p53, STK15, p16, and HER2. The purpose of this review is to describe the current understanding of the role of the HER-2/neu pathway in the carcinogenesis of serous endometrial cancer, to explore the rationale for, and efficacy of targeting the HER-2/neu receptor in the treatment of these tumors. Correspondence to: Joshua P. Kesterson, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA; Tel: (717) 531-8144 (ext. 5); Fax: (717) 531-0007; E-mail: [email protected] Received: December 04, 2016; Accepted: December 21, 2016; Published: December 26, 2016 Introduction Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States, with over 50,000 cases diagnosed annually, resulting in approximately 8,000 deaths [1]. Endometrial cancer is classically categorized as type I or type II tumors, corresponding to endometrioid and non-endometrioid histologic types, respectively. A majority of endometrial cancers are type I, which are often well differentiated, confined to the uterus, cured with hysterectomy, and associated with excellent prognosis [2]. Type II tumors include serous and clear cell histologic types, and they tend to be clinically aggressive tumors that are associated with advanced stage at diagnosis and chemo resistance. Despite comprising only, a minority of all endometrial cancers, type II tumors are responsible for a disproportionate percentage of endometrial cancer-related recurrences and deaths [3-6]. Secondary to the poor outcomes associated with serous endometrial cancer, novel targeted therapies that are effective are needed. Serous endometrial cancers are characterized by alteration of p53, STK15, p16, and HER2. The purpose of this review is to describe the current understanding of the role of the HER-2/neu pathway in the carcinogenesis of serous endometrial cancer, to explore the rationale for, and efficacy of targeting the HER-2/neu receptor in the treatment of these tumors.