In vitro study | Trastuzumab (anti-HER2) exerts specific antitumor activity in tumor cells overexpressing HER2. Trastuzumab binds to the near-membrane region of HER2, and once bound to the receptor, this antibody down-regulates HER2 expression. Trastuzumab selectively inhibits ligand-independent HER2-HER3 dimerization. In addition, the binding of trastuzumab to HER2 inhibits proteolytic cleavage of the extracellular domain of HER2, resulting in reduced p95-HER2 levels. trastuzumab can cause the PI3K signaling pathway and downstream cell cycle progression related mediators such as cyclin D1. Trastuzumab not only inhibits the HER2 signaling pathway, but also causes immune-related responses in HER2 overexpressing cells. Binding of Trastuzumab occupies the Fc receptor on immune effector cells, resulting in antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. Thus, trastuzumab has anti-angiogenic effects and lowers the threshold for apoptosis in chemotherapy. |