Evolution of HER2-positive mammary carcinoma: HER2 loss reveals claudin-low traits in cancer progression

A ratiometric electrochemical biosensor based on ARGET ATRP for detection of HER2 gene

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a common proto-oncogene, is overexpressed in a subset of breast cancer patients. It is essential to track HER2 expression for early breast cancer diagnosis. Herein, a ratiometric electrochemical biosensor for detection of HER2 based on activators generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerisation (AGET ATRP) and hairpin DNA was developed. Specifically, hairpin DNA was first self-assembled on the gold electrode by Au-S bond. Upon capturing HER2, the stem-loop structure of hairpin DNA was unfolded, the signal value of methylene blue (MB) decreased as it moved away from the electrode surface. cDNA was linked with HER2 by complementary base pairing to introduce amino group. Then, the initiator 2-bromo-2-methylpropionic acid (BMP) were connected to the amino group on the cDNA to activate ARGET ATRP. The detection performance of biosensors for HER2 was explored by the ratio signal between two signal molecules. Under optimal conditions, this ratiometric electrochemical biosensor shows good selectivity and stability with a wide detection range of 1-1 × 106 pM and a detection limit of 78.47 fM. Furthermore, the biosensor exhibits satisfactory anti-interference ability due to the hairpin DNA and dual signal system, and has promising application prospects in the detection of other DNA disease markers.

Grainyhead-like-2, an epithelial master programmer, promotes interferon induction and suppresses breast cancer recurrence

Type-I and -III interferons play a central role in immune rejection of pathogens and tumors, thus promoting immunogenicity and suppressing tumor recurrence. Double strand RNA is an important ligand that stimulates tumor immunity via interferon responses. Differentiation of embryonic stem cells to pluripotent epithelial cells activates the interferon response during development, raising the question of whether epithelial vs. mesenchymal gene signatures in cancer potentially regulate the interferon pathway as well. Here, using genomics and signaling approaches, we show that Grainyhead-like-2 (GRHL2), a master programmer of epithelial cell identity, promotes type-I and -III interferon responses to double-strand RNA. GRHL2 enhanced the activation of IRF3 and relA/NF-kB and the expression of IRF1; a functional GRHL2 binding site in the IFNL1 promoter was also identified. Moreover, time to recurrence in breast cancer correlated positively with GRHL2 protein expression, indicating that GRHL2 is a tumor recurrence suppressor, consistent with its enhancement of interferon responses. These observations demonstrate that epithelial cell identity supports interferon responses in the context of cancer.

Tumor heterogeneity and clinically invisible micrometastases in metastatic breast cancer-a call for enhanced surveillance strategies

The biology of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is understudied, primarily due to the difficulty of procuring multiple samples from patients with oligometastatic breast cancer. We developed a rapid postmortem tissue procurement program that allows the collection and analysis of numerous metastatic lesions, subclinical locations, and potential pre-metastatic niches that fall within this scope. We conducted a rapid postmortem tissue collection study on 9 patients with MBC. Patients and their families consented to donate tissues immediately after death in an IRB-approved study. Various disease subtypes, progression histories, organ involvement, and final causes of death are reported. In patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) disease, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2, and Ki-67 expression were heterogeneous across metastatic lesions within individual patients. Disease phenotype at the end of life trended toward complete loss of HR expression. Nearly all (n = 7) patients exhibited extensive tumor involvement of additional organs that had not been previously diagnosed clinically and were not retrospectively visible on recent imaging. Of these seven individuals, three included organs uncommonly associated with MBC: kidney, spleen, pancreas, and ovary. Finally, we identified clinically undetectable micrometastases in several organs uncommonly involved in MBC. Our findings raise several clinically relevant questions regarding the mechanisms of metastatic progression. Insights from this study argue for better surveillance strategies for monitoring MBC. We highlight the need to capture more accurate biomarker information in the context of heterogeneous disease and urge the consideration of treatment strategies that combine multiple targeted therapies.

Unraveling Biomarker Signatures in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review for Targeted Approaches

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive subtypes of breast cancer, marked by poor outcomes and dismal prognosis. Due to the absence of targetable receptors, chemotherapy still represents the main therapeutic option. Therefore, current research is now focusing on understanding the specific molecular pathways implicated in TNBC, in order to identify novel biomarker signatures and develop targeted therapies able to improve its clinical management. With the aim of identifying novel molecular features characterizing TNBC, elucidating the mechanisms by which these molecular biomarkers are implicated in the tumor development and progression, and assessing the impact on cancerous cells following their inhibition or modulation, we conducted a literature search from the earliest works to December 2023 on PubMed, Scopus, and Web Of Science. A total of 146 studies were selected. The results obtained demonstrated that TNBC is characterized by a heterogeneous molecular profile. Several biomarkers have proven not only to be characteristic of TNBC but also to serve as potential effective therapeutic targets, holding the promise of a new era of personalized treatments able to improve its prognosis. The pre-clinical findings that have emerged from our systematic review set the stage for further investigation in forthcoming clinical trials.

A Review on Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) Rearrangements and Mutations: Implications for Gastric Carcinogenesis and Target Therapy

Gastric adenocarcinoma is a complex disease with diverse genetic modifications, including Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) gene changes. The ALK gene is located on chromosome 2p23 and encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase that plays a crucial role in embryonic development and cellular differentiation. ALK alterations can result from gene fusion, mutation, amplification, or overexpression in gastric adenocarcinoma. Fusion occurs when the ALK gene fuses with another gene, resulting in a chimeric protein with constitutive kinase activity and promoting oncogenesis. ALK mutations are less common but can also result in the activation of ALK signaling pathways. Targeted therapies for ALK variations in gastric adenocarcinoma have been developed, including ALK inhibitors that have shown promising results in pre-clinical studies. Future studies are needed to elucidate the ALK role in gastric cancer and to identify predictive biomarkers to improve patient selection for targeted therapy. Overall, ALK alterations are a relevant biomarker for gastric adenocarcinoma treatment and targeted therapies for ALK may improve patients' overall survival.

Dynamic ultrasound molecular-targeted imaging of senescence in evaluation of lapatinib resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Prolonged treatment of HER2+ breast cancer with lapatinib (LAP) causes cellular senescence and acquired drug resistance, which often associating with poor prognosis for patients. We aim to explore the correlation between cellular senescence and LAP resistance in HER2+ breast cancer, screen for molecular marker of reversible senescence, and construct targeted nanobubbles for ultrasound molecular imaging to dynamically evaluate LAP resistance.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, we established a new cellular model of reversible cellular senescence using LAP and HER2+ breast cancer cells and found that reversible senescence contributed to LAP resistance in HER2+ breast cancer. Then, we identified ecto-5'-nucleotidase (NT5E) as a marker of reversible senescence in HER2+ breast cancer. Based on this, we constructed NT5E-targeted nanobubbles (NT5E-FITC-NBs) as a new molecular imaging modality which could both target reversible senescent cells and be used for ultrasound imaging. NT5E-FITC-NBs showed excellent physical and imaging characteristics. As an ultrasound contrast agent, NT5E-FITC-NBs could accurately identify reversible senescent cells both in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrate that cellular senescence-based ultrasound-targeted imaging can identify reversible senescence and evaluate LAP resistance effectively in HER2+ breast cancer cells, which has the potential to improve cancer treatment outcomes by altering therapeutic strategies ahead of aggressive recurrences.

Virus-like Particle (VLP) Vaccines for Cancer Immunotherapy

Cancer vaccines are increasingly being studied as a possible strategy to prevent and treat cancers. While several prophylactic vaccines for virus-caused cancers are approved and efficiently used worldwide, the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines needs to be further implemented. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are self-assembled protein structures that mimic native viruses or bacteriophages but lack the replicative material. VLP platforms are designed to display single or multiple antigens with a high-density pattern, which can trigger both cellular and humoral responses. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of preventive VLP-based vaccines currently approved worldwide against HBV and HPV infections or under evaluation to prevent virus-caused cancers. Furthermore, preclinical and early clinical data on prophylactic and therapeutic VLP-based cancer vaccines were summarized with a focus on HER-2-positive breast cancer.

The Effect of HER2-Low Status on Pathological Complete Response and Survival in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis conducted a comprehensive analysis of research investigating the correlation between HER2 expression levels and treatment outcomes in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. We systematically searched major databases for studies published up to January 01, 2023. The data from various studies examined the relationship between HER2-zero and HER2-low tumors in terms of pathological complete response (pCR) rates, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) outcomes. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) by the number of events were calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel method to analyze pCR. The hazard ratio and 95% CI were calculated using the inverse variance method for DFS and OS. In all comparisons, I² was 0% and no heterogeneity was detected. A total of 12 retrospective studies involving 4094 patients were included. Thirty-six percent of the patients were in the HER2-low group. All 12 studies were included in the pooled analysis for pCR, and there was no difference between HER2-zero and HER2-low (40% vs. 38%, respectively; pooled OR:1.01 95% CI 0.88-1.16; I²: 0%). Four studies were included in the pooled analysis for DFS and 3 in the OS analysis. DFS and OS were significantly better in the HER2-low group (pooled hazard ratio: 0.67 for DFS, 0.64 for OS). There was no difference between HER2-low and HER2-zero in terms of pCR in early-stage TNBC. However, HER2-low was found to be associated with prolonged DFS and OS. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023391002.

Targeting breast cancer stem cells directly to treat refractory breast cancer

For patients with refractory breast cancer (BC), integrative immunotherapies are emerging as a critical component of treatment. However, many patients remain unresponsive to treatment or relapse after a period. Different cells and mediators in the tumor microenvironment (TME) play important roles in the progression of BC, and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are deemed the main cause of relapse. Their characteristics depend on their interactions with their microenvironment as well as on the inducing factors and elements in this environment. Strategies to modulate the immune system in the TME of BC that are aimed at reversing the suppressive networks within it and eradicating residual CSCs are, thus, essential for improving the current therapeutic efficacy of BC. This review focuses on the development of immunoresistance in BCs and discusses the strategies that can modulate the immune system and target breast CSCs directly to treat BC including immunotherapy with immune checkpoint blockades.

Comparison of Clinical Subtypes of Breast Cancer within the Claudin-Low Molecular Cluster Reveals Distinct Phenotypes

BACKGROUND

Molecular subtyping of breast cancer has provided a new perspective on the pathogenesis of the disease and a foundation for building a clinical classification for this heterogeneous disease. The initial classification categorizing breast cancers into five groups, luminal A, luminal B, ERBB2-overexpressing, basal-like and normal-like, was later supplemented by an additional group, claudin-low tumors. However, the claudin-low group has been more difficult to align with clinically used immunohistochemical categories. The identity of this group among clinical cases remains ill defined.

METHODS

The METABRIC cohort comprising more than 1700 breast cancers and providing information for classifying them in both clinical groups and the genomic PAM50/claudin-low groups was analyzed to derive relationships and clarify potential pathogenic ramifications. Comparisons of the claudin-low cases bearing different clinical group classifications and of the respective cases with the same clinical non-claudin-low classifications were performed.

RESULTS

ER-negative/HER2-negative breast cancers are predominantly (88.4%) basal-like and claudin low. Conversely, most basal-like cancers (83.6%) are ER negative/HER2 negative. However, claudin-low breast cancers are only in 68.4% of cases ER negative/HER2 negative and the other clinical phenotypes, mostly ER positive/HER2 negative/low proliferation, are also represented in more than 30% of claudin-low cancers. These claudin-low non-ER-negative/HER2-negative breast cancers differ from claudin-low ER-negative/HER2-negative cases in grade, prevalence of integrative clusters, and prevalence of common mutations and common amplifications. Differences also exist between the two groups classified clinically as ER negative/HER2 negative, that are genomically basal-like or claudin-low, including in menopause status, grade, histology, prevalence of high tumor mutation burden, distribution of integrative clusters, prevalence of TP53 mutations and of amplifications in the MYC and MCL1 loci. Furthermore, distinct characteristics are observed between the luminal A and claudin-low groups within the clinical ER-positive/HER2-negative/low proliferation group.

CONCLUSION

Within genomically claudin-low breast cancers, the ER-negative/HER2-negative group is distinct from the group with either ER or HER2 positivity. Conversely, within clinical phenotypes, claudin-low and non-claudin-low breast cancers differ in clinical characteristics and molecular attributes.

Preclinical development of a first-in-class vaccine encoding HER2, Brachyury and CD40L for antibody enhanced tumor eradication

The induction of antiviral innate immunity by systemic immunization with live virus can be employed to positively impact the response to therapeutic vaccination. We previously demonstrated that systemic immunization with a non-replicating MVA encoding CD40 ligand (CD40L) enhances innate immune cell activation and function, and triggers potent antitumor CD8⁺ T cell responses in different murine tumor models. Antitumor efficacy was increased when combined with tumor targeting antibodies. Here we report the development of TAEK-VAC-HerBy (TVH), a first-in-class human tumor antibody enhanced killing (TAEK) vaccine based on the non-replicating MVA-BN viral vector. It encodes the membrane bound form of human CD40L, HER2 and the transcription factor Brachyury. TVH is designed for therapeutic use in HER2- or Brachyury-expressing cancer patients in combination with tumor targeting antibodies. To preclude possible oncogenic activities in infected cells and to prevent binding of vaccine-encoded HER2 by monoclonal antibodies trastuzumab and pertuzumab, genetic modifications of HER2 were introduced in the vaccine. Brachyury was genetically modified to prevent nuclear localization of the protein thereby inhibiting its transcriptional activity. CD40L encoded in TVH enhanced human leukocyte activation and cytokine secretion in vitro. Lastly, TVH intravenous administration to non-human primates was proven immunogenic and safe in a repeat-dose toxicity study. Nonclinical data presented here highlight TVH as a first-in-class immunotherapeutic vaccine platform currently under clinical investigation.

Comparison of HER2-zero and HER2-low in terms of clinicopathological factors and survival in early-stage breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The prognostic differences between HER2-zero and HER2-low breast cancer (BC) remain unclear. Purpose of this meta-analysis is to investigate the differences between HER2-low and HER2-zero in terms of clinicopathological factors and survival outcomes in early-stage BC.

METHODS

We searched major databases and congress proceedings until November 1, 2022 to identify studies comparing HER2-zero and HER2-low in early-stage BC. HER2-zero immunohistochemically (IHC) was defined as score 0, while HER2-low was defined as IHC 1+ or 2+/in situ hybridization negative.

RESULT

A total of 23 retrospective studies involving 636,535 patients were included. HER2-low rate was 67.5% in the hormone receptor (HR)-positive group, while this rate was 48.6% in the HR-negative group. In the analysis of clinicopathological factors by HR status, the proportion of premenopausal patients within the HR-positive group was greater in the HER2-zero arm (66.5% vs 61.8%), whereas grade 3 tumors (74.2% vs 71.5%), patients younger than 50 years of age (47.3% vs 39.6%), and T3-T4 tumors (7.7% vs 6.3%) within the HR-negative group was higher in the HER2-zero arm. In both the HR-positive and HR-negative groups, the HER2-low arm showed significantly improved results for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). The hazard ratios for DFS and OS in the HR-positive group were 0.88 (95% CI 0.83-0.94) and 0.87 (95% CI 0.78-0.96), respectively. In the HR-negative group, the hazard ratios for DFS and OS were 0.87 (95% CI 0.79-0.97) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.84-0.89), respectively.

CONCLUSION

In early-stage BC, HER2-low is associated with better DFS and OS compared to HER2-zero, regardless of HR status.

The impact of HER2-low status on response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in clinically HER2-negative breast cancer

PURPOSE

Low expression of HER2 (HER2-low expression) in breast cancer (BC) has unique biological characteristics. However, whether HER2-low expression has an impact on neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in HER2-negative breast cancer remains unclear.

METHODS

This study reviewed the clinicopathological data of patients with BC treated with NACT at a single hospital from January 2018 to July 2022. Baseline patient characteristics, efficacy of NACT, and survival data were compared between the HER2-0 and HER2-low groups. The impact of NACT on HER2 status also was investigated. Subgroup analyses based on hormone receptor (HR) status were performed to explore the impact of HR signaling on HER2 status during chemotherapy.

RESULTS

The progesterone receptor-positive rate in the HER2-low group was significantly higher than that in HER2-0 group. The local treatment response of the HER2-low group was worse, but the disease-free survival rate of the HER2-low group was significantly better than that of the HER2-0 group. The proportion of patients with increased HER2 immunohistochemistry score after NACT was significantly higher in the HER2-0 group. Subgroup analysis showed that the efficacy of chemotherapy in HR + patients was significantly worse than in HR- patients, and HR + patients had a higher proportion of increased HER2 immunohistochemistry score after chemotherapy. Mechanistic studies suggested that MLH1 expression loss during chemotherapy might link HR signaling and regulation of HER2 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that HER2-low expressing BC exhibits differential sensitivity to chemotherapy compared to HER2-0 expressing BC. The regulation of HER2 expression by HR signaling may mediate aspects of chemoresistance.

ADK-VR2, a cell line derived from a treatment-naïve patient with SDC4-ROS1 fusion-positive primarily crizotinib-resistant NSCLC: a novel preclinical model for new drug development of ROS1-rearranged NSCLC

BACKGROUND

ROS1 fusions are driver molecular alterations in 1-2% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Several tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have shown high efficacy in patients whose tumors harbour a ROS1 fusion. However, the limited availability of preclinical models of ROS1-positive NSCLC hinders the discovery of new drugs and the understanding of the mechanisms underlying drug resistance and strategies to overcome it.

METHODS

The ADK-VR2 cell line was derived from the pleural effusion of a treatment-naïve NSCLC patient bearing SDC4-ROS1 gene fusion. The sensitivity of ADK-VR2 and its crizotinib-resistant clone ADK-VR2 AG143 (selected in 3D culture in the presence of crizotinib) to different TKIs was tested in vitro, in both 2D and 3D conditions. Tumorigenic and metastatic ability was assessed in highly immunodeficient mice. In addition, crizotinib efficacy on ADK-VR2 was evaluated in vivo.

RESULTS

2D-growth of ADK-VR2 cells was partially inhibited by crizotinib. On the contrary, the treatment with other TKIs, such as lorlatinib, entrectinib and DS-6051b, did not result in cell growth inhibition. TKIs showed dramatically different efficacy on ADK-VR2 cells, depending on the cell culture conditions. In 3D culture, ADK-VR2 growth was indeed almost totally inhibited by lorlatinib and DS-6051b. The clone ADK-VR2 AG143 showed higher resistance to crizotinib treatment in vitro, compared to its parental cell line, in both 2D and 3D cultures. Similarly to ADK-VR2, ADK-VR2 AG143 growth was strongly inhibited by lorlatinib in 3D conditions. Nevertheless, ADK-VR2 AG143 sphere formation was less affected by TKIs treatment, compared to the parental cell line. In vivo experiments highlighted the high tumorigenic and metastatic ability of ADK-VR2 cell line, which, once injected in immunodeficient mice, gave rise to both spontaneous and experimental lung metastases while the crizotinib-resistant clone ADK-VR2 AG143 showed a slower growth in vivo. In addition, ADK-VR2 tumor growth was significantly reduced but not eradicated by crizotinib treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The ADK-VR2 cell line is a promising NSCLC preclinical model for the study of novel targeted therapies against ROS1 fusions and the mechanisms of resistance to TKI therapies.

LINC00589-dominated ceRNA networks regulate multiple chemoresistance and cancer stem cell-like properties in HER2+ breast cancer

Resistance to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapy (trastuzumab), cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties and multiple chemoresistance often concur and intersect in breast cancer, but molecular links that may serve as effective therapeutic targets remain largely unknown. Here, we identified the long noncoding RNA, LINC00589 as a key regulatory node for concurrent intervention of these processes in breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated that the expression of LINC00589 is clinically valuable as an independent prognostic factor for discriminating trastuzumab responders. Mechanistically, LINC00589 serves as a ceRNA platform that simultaneously sponges miR-100 and miR-452 and relieves their repression of tumor suppressors, including discs large homolog 5 (DLG5) and PR/SET domain 16 (PRDM16, a transcription suppressor of mucin4), thereby exerting multiple cancer inhibitory functions and counteracting drug resistance. Collectively, our results disclose two LINC00589-initiated ceRNA networks, the LINC00589-miR-100-DLG5 and LINC00589-miR-452-PRDM16- mucin4 axes, which regulate trastuzumab resistance, CSC-like properties and multiple chemoresistance of breast cancer, thus providing potential diagnostic and prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for HER2-positive breast cancer.

Prevention and Therapy of Metastatic HER-2+ Mammary Carcinoma with a Human Candidate HER-2 Virus-like Particle Vaccine

Vaccines are a promising therapeutic alternative to monoclonal antibodies against HER-2+ breast cancer. We present the preclinical activity of an ES2B-C001, a VLP-based vaccine being developed for human breast cancer therapy. FVB mice challenged with HER-2+ mammary carcinoma cells QD developed progressive tumors, whereas all mice vaccinated with ES2B-C001+Montanide ISA 51, and 70% of mice vaccinated without adjuvant, remained tumor-free. ES2B-C001 completely inhibited lung metastases in mice challenged intravenously. HER-2 transgenic Delta16 mice developed mammary carcinomas by 4−8 months of age; two administrations of ES2B-C001+Montanide prevented tumor onset for >1 year. Young Delta16 mice challenged intravenously with QD cells developed a mean of 68 lung nodules in 13 weeks, whereas all mice vaccinated with ES2B-C001+Montanide, and 73% of mice vaccinated without adjuvant, remained metastasis-free. ES2B-C001 in adjuvant elicited strong anti-HER-2 antibody responses comprising all Ig isotypes; titers ranging from 1−10 mg/mL persisted for many months. Antibodies inhibited the 3D growth of human HER-2+ trastuzumab-sensitive and -resistant breast cancer cells. Vaccination did not induce cytokine storms; however, it increased the ELISpot frequency of IFN-γ secreting HER-2-specific splenocytes. ES2B-C001 is a promising candidate vaccine for the therapy of tumors expressing HER-2. Preclinical results warrant further development towards human clinical studies.

Novel Therapies and Strategies to Overcome Resistance to Anti-HER2-Targeted Drugs

The prognosis and quality of life of HER2 breast cancer patients have significantly improved due to the crucial clinical benefit of various anti-HER2 targeted therapies. However, HER2 tumors can possess or develop several resistance mechanisms to these treatments, thus leaving patients with a limited set of additional therapeutic options. Fortunately, to overcome this problem, in recent years, multiple different and complementary approaches have been developed (such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)) that are in clinical or preclinical stages. In this review, we focus on emerging strategies other than on ADCs that are either aimed at directly target the HER2 receptor (i.e., novel tyrosine kinase inhibitors) or subsequent intracellular signaling (e.g., PI3K/AKT/mTOR, CDK4/6 inhibitors, etc.), as well as on innovative approaches designed to attack other potential tumor weaknesses (such as immunotherapy, autophagy blockade, or targeting of other genes within the HER2 amplicon). Moreover, relevant technical advances such as anti-HER2 nanotherapies and immunotoxins are also discussed. In brief, this review summarizes the impact of novel therapeutic approaches on current and future clinical management of aggressive HER2 breast tumors.

Anti-HER2 scFv-CCL19-IL7 recombinant protein inhibited gastric tumor growth in vivo

HER-2 targeted therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and CAR-T cell therapy have been applied in the treatment of various of cancers. However, the anti-HER2 CAR-T cell therapy are limited by its expensive production procedure and fatal side effects such as cytokine storm or “On target, off tumor”. The application of anti-HER2 mAbs to the soild tumor are also plagued by the patients resistant with different mechanisms. Thus, the recombinant protein technology can be presented as an attractive methods in advantage its less toxic and lower cost. In this study, we produced a HER-2-targeting recombinant protein, which is the fusion of the anti-HER-2 single chain fragment variable domain, CCL19 and IL7 (HCI fusion protein). Our results showed that the recombinant protein can induce the specific lysis effects of immune cells on HER-2-positive gastric tumor cells and can suppress gastric tumor growth in a xenograft model by chemotactic autoimmune cell infiltration into tumor tissues and activated T cells. Taken together, our results revealed that the HCI fusion protein can be applied as a subsequent clinical drug in treating HER-2 positive gastric tumors.