What is the Difference Between HER2 Positive and HER2 Negative?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between HER2-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer lies in the levels of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein present in the cancer cells. HER2 is a protein that plays a role in healthy cell growth, but abnormally high levels can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and the development of breast cancer.
HER2-positive breast cancer is characterized by higher than normal levels of HER2 proteins, which lead to faster growth and spread of the cancer. This type of cancer is more likely to respond to treatment with drugs that target the HER2 protein. In the United States, about 1 in 5 breast cancer cases are HER2-positive.
On the other hand, HER2-negative breast cancer has normal levels of HER2 proteins and does not usually respond to treatment with drugs that target HER2. This type of cancer is more common than HER2-positive breast cancer, accounting for a larger proportion of breast cancer cases.
In summary, the key differences between HER2-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer are:
- HER2-positive breast cancer has abnormally high levels of HER2 proteins, leading to faster growth and spread of the cancer.
- HER2-negative breast cancer has normal levels of HER2 proteins and does not usually respond to treatment with drugs that target HER2.
- HER2-positive breast cancer is more likely to respond to treatment with drugs that target the HER2 protein, while HER2-negative breast cancer is not.
Comparative Table: HER2 Positive vs HER2 Negative
HER2-positive and HER2-negative are two types of breast cancer that share some similarities but have distinct differences. The main difference lies in the levels of HER2 proteins, which are found on the surface of breast cells and play a role in normal cell growth. Here is a table comparing the two types:
| Feature | HER2-Negative Breast Cancer | HER2-Positive Breast Cancer |
|---|---|---|
| HER2 Protein Levels | Normal or undetectable levels of HER2 proteins | Abnormally high levels of HER2 proteins, causing the cancer to grow and spread more quickly |
| Hormone Status | Can be hormone-positive or hormone-negative | Can be hormone-positive or hormone-negative |
| Treatment | Less likely to be treated with targeted therapies | Primarily treated with the targeted therapy, such as trastuzumab, pertuzumab, ado-trastuzumab emtansine, and lapatinib |
| Aggressiveness | Less aggressive than HER2-positive breast cancer | More aggressive than HER2-negative breast cancer |
| Prevalence | Accounts for the majority of breast cancer cases | Account for about 1 in 5 cases of breast cancer |
HER2-negative breast cancer does not have abnormal levels of HER2 proteins, while HER2-positive breast cancer has unusually high levels of these proteins. The HER2 status of a cancer can change as it grows or returns, meaning HER2-positive cancer can become HER2-negative and vice versa. Treatment for breast cancer depends on the stage and type and may involve surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or other drug therapies.
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