A Comprehensive Review on the Role of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) as a Biomarker in Extra-Mammary and Extra-Gastric Cancers

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This paper demonstrated that HER2 might be a molecular biomarker for many other different types of malignancies besides breast and gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancers. 

The methodology has no problem, and discussion has been well considered.

I think that we should accept this manuscript.

Author Response

Thank you very much for your positive comments. 

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments for author File: Comments.docx

The quality of English in the present manuscript is very well written and needs only minor corrections.

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Questions for the author:

 

The Author Amisha et al considered the Human epidermal growth factor receptors and its link to many cancers which is very important, beside this I have some points which might improve the article and for research community.

1. Author made table  for the each cancer type considering many details observation which is highly promising but for the  some cancer there are not much information, therefore I suggest that to include some more information in table from following article such as

pancreatic cancer DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/1389200220666191122104955,

ovarian cancer  https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14246173,

uterine serous carcinoma DOI: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000001682,

colorectal cancer DOI: 10.1002/path.4679

 

2.       Are there any specific characteristics or features of these other malignancies that make them susceptible to HER2 alterations? Is there a common underlying mechanism behind HER2 involvement in different types of cancers?

 

3.       How does the predictive, prognostic, and therapeutic significance of HER2 differ between breast and gastric/gastroesophageal cancers compared to other malignancies? Are there any specific treatment strategies or targeted therapies that have shown promise in HER2-positive non-breast and non-gastric cancers?

4.        In your extensive review, what were the key findings regarding HER2 amplification, overexpression, or mutation in cancers other than breast and gastric cancer? Did you observe any novel associations or potential therapeutic implications?

5.       Considering the prevalence of HER2 alterations in breast and gastric/gastroesophageal cancers, do you think routine HER2 testing should be considered for patients diagnosed with other malignancies? What are the potential benefits and challenges of implementing HER2 testing in these contexts?

 

6.       Lastly, did you come across any emerging or future directions in HER2 research that could potentially expand our understanding of its role in cancer reaserch.? Are there any gaps in knowledge or areas that require further investigation?

Author Response

Please see the attachment 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

HER2 has been identified as a biomarker to predict and treat breast and gastric cancer. Although considerable efforts have been made to develop HER2-targeted therapies for breast and stomach cancer, there are no satisfactory targeted therapies yet. This review provides extensive information on clinical studies of HER2-targeted therapies, alone or in combination with other therapies, for various cancers with overexpression, amplification, or mutation of HER2. The authors showed that abnormal HER2 expression is associated with lung, colorectal, ovarian, pancreatic, glioblastoma multiforme, and many more cancers in addition to stomach and breast cancer. As suggested by authors, the systematic treatment plan for patients with cancers with abnormal HER2 expression is needed. This informative and well-organized review will help establish guidelines for treating cancer patients with abnormal HER2 expression/mutation.

Author Response

Thank you very much for your positive comments about our review article.