Targeting HER2 in the management of potentially resectable gastric adenocarcinoma: what are oncologists waiting for?

HER2 in gastric adenocarcinoma: where do we stand today?

Aim: HER2 is a proto-oncogene expressed in 10-30% of gastric adenocarcinomas and is an ideal target for inhibition in malignancy with high recurrence and dismal survival rates. Materials & methods: A systematic search was conducted via PubMed, Google Scholar and the clinicaltrials.gov database to report the results of ongoing and past studies investigating HER2 inhibitors in gastric cancer. Results: Twenty-five studies were included; ToGA trial is the pivotal trial approving the use of trastuzumab in metastatic gastric cancer, followed by more studies investigating other HER2 inhibitors in this setting, as well as in local and locoregional malignancy. Conclusion: Anti-HER2 molecules are proving efficacy and safety in gastric cancer; the evidence is growing and association with other cancer agents is under investigation.