One of the best examples of the "bench to bedside" process is the development of trastuzumab (Herceptin) for HER2-overexpressed breast tumors. From the identification of the neu oncogene in 1984[1] and its subsequent cloning,[2] to the development of a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting HER2 that improved outcome not only in the metastatic setting[3] but also in the adjuvant setting[4-7] h...

The MUC4 mucin is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is implicated in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer and is aberrantly expressed in many other epithelial carcinomas. Recent studies suggest its significant potential as a clinical tool for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. MUC4 modulates HER2/ErbB2 signaling and is a determinant of therapeutic outcome of Herceptin-based therapy, which further...

• Trastuzumab (Herceptin) directed against the HER-2 receptor and approved for treatment of metastatic breast cancer • Cetuximab (Erbitux) and panitumumab (Vectibix) directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and approved for treatment of e.g. colorectal cancer • Bevacizumab (avastin) directed against the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and approved for treatment of ...