Given the success of
Volume I of this Research Topic, and how rapid the subject area is evolving, we are pleased to announce the launch of Cancer Treatment and Early Detection Targeting HER Receptors - Volume II
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide to date. In 2020, nearly 10 million deaths caused by cancers were reported. Among various targets, human epidermal growth factor receptors (HER) are essential to regulate cell differentiation and proliferation. The human HER transmembrane receptor family includes four epidermal growth factor receptors – HER1, HER2, HER3, and HER4. Inappropriate activation of HER receptors (HER1, HER2, and HER3) is associated with the initiation, development, migration, and invasive properties of many cancers. However, overexpression of HER4 is not significantly related to the survival rate of cancer patients. Recently, several anti-cancer drugs (small molecular drugs, antibody, and antibody-drug conjugates) targeting HER1 and HER2 have been approved to be used as targeted therapy for cancer patients. They are used to treat different cancers including breast cancer, gastric cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, renal cell carcinoma, myelodysplastic syndrome, and others. One antibody-drug conjugate (patritumab deruxtecan) targeting HER3 is being reviewed by FDA for approval. Currently, numerous new agents are being developed to increase anticancer efficiency or overcome the resistance to current therapies.
This Research Topic aims to collect articles that developed encouraging signs of progress for novel agents that specifically target HER receptors. There are several FDA-approved anti-cancer drugs specifically targeting HER1 and HER2 to treat cancer patients. However, current treatment only prolongs patient’s life and improve the quality of their life for most of the late-stage cancer patients instead of a cure. In addition, more and more patients develop acquired or de novo resistance to these HER-therapies. Thus, novel agents and strategies that target these HER receptors and/or their downstream pathways are required for the treatment of cancers. In addition, novel detection methods and strategies are required to improve the detection specificity and sensitivity to identify these HER receptors for appropriate and effective HER-target therapies.
This collection welcomes Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Brief Research Report, Case Report, and Perspectives on cancer treatment and detection targeting HER receptors. Areas of interest could include, but not limited to:
• Novel methods and strategies for early detection of HER receptors.
• Small molecular agents target HER receptors and/or their downstream pathways.
• Peptide, antibody, or antibody-drug conjugates target HER receptors.
• Other strategies targeting HER-therapies, such as nanoparticles etc.
• Mechanism studies for HER-therapies.
Dr. Shengxi Chen holds patents relating to themes explored within this Research Topic, all other editors declare no conflicts of interest.