Purchase Solution

HER-2 expression in cancer cells

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

I'm writing a report on cells which overexpress HER-2. The report consists of 5 mini reports and is for a Biomedical Techniques module I am doing.
Part of the report is on the monolayer culture and passage of cells and also requires calculations for multiplication rate, doubling time etc (have done these)

I have two main questions;

In a monolayer culture would these cells proliferate quicker than non cancerous cells and is the pattern of growth (if plotted) different to that of non cancerous cells? Where can I find info on this - any ideas??

I have found a report that says the in vitro growth of breast carcinoma cells is limited to one or two passages in a monolayer culture. Why is this? - the report doesn't say, it just goes on to talk about 3D cultures being better.

I am really struggling to find a way to link writing about the culture and passage of cells, and their doubling rates etc with cells which overexpress HER-2. The report is supposed to focus on techniques used to identify the presence of these cells types so that it can be determined if Herceptin may be a suitable treatment.

- really feel like giving up as I'm not getting anywhere. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you

Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

Several paragraphs with web references examining the overexpression of HER-2 in cancer cells.

Solution Preview

The factors that regulate normal cell cycles often go awry in cancer cells. This results in uncontrolled proliferation that leads to tumors that can invade and destroy normal tissue. It is what makes cancer an interesting field of research. Often the gens and proteins that cause cancer are involved in normal development it is only when their expression and occasionally their functions are disrupted that you get a potentially deadly disease.
The first place to start is to examine what the normal function of HER-2 is. The best place to look for current scientific information is pubmed.com. There are over 9000 scientific articles that contain HER-2. I would suggest starting with some review articles such as:
-HER-2, TOP2A and Chromosome 17 Alterations in Breast Cancer. http://195.228.254.34/por/2007/13/3/0180/0180a.pdf
-HER-2/neu represses the metastasis suppressor RECK via ERK and Sp transcription factors to promote cell invasion. http://www.jbc.org/cgi/content/full/281/8/4718
-Her-2/neu expression and gene amplification in gastrinomas: correlations with tumor biology, growth, and aggressiveness. ...

Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Parts of the Brain

This quiz will test your knowledge on different areas of the brain.

Cellular Respiration

This quiz is a review for cellular respiration.

Birth 101

Do you know about childbirth? Find out with this quiz.

Human Anatomy- Reproductive System

Do you know your reproductive anatomy?

Comfort Measures For Labor

Are you ready to doula someone through labor?

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Rational Expressions Applications Word Problem

    On which day did the number of cancer cells in specimen B overtake that of specimen A? c. How many cancer cells had developed in specimen B as of the day you calculated in (b)?

  • The most simplistic definition of ovarian cancer

    439118 ovarian cancer 1) Describe ovarian cancer in biological terms and explain the impact at the level of cells and organ affected. 1.)

  • Case and recommendations for 40 year old woman

    476243 Cancer Diagnosis A 40-year-old woman noticed a lump in her left breast during a self-exam. She had not noticed this before, and it remained for a few days. She went to her physician for an examination.

  • tumors subvert immune surveillance

    With this comes the expression of peptides by these cells that are different than before this change (tumor-specific antigens). Since cancer cells are altered "self" cells, any recognition by the immune system as "self" is also altered.

  • Tumor Antigens

    Tumor markers are substances that are produced by cancer cells or by other cells of the body in response to cancer or certain benign (noncancerous) conditions.

  • cancer therapies

    One example is Herceptin which treats metastatic breast cancer where tumors produce excess amounts of a protein called HER-2. ? Nonspecific immunomodulating agents are substances that stimulate or indirectly augment the immune system.

  • Genes

    It is widely used for chemotherapy in treating cancer patients whose cancer cells are actively dividing to form tumors. Suggest a hypothesis to explain how vinblastine slows tumor growth.

  • Cancer And Genetic Predisposition

    538609 Cancer And Genetic Predisposition Both of Susie's parents died from breast cancer. Susie tested positive for the BRCA1 gene, the BRCA2 gene, and HPV; however, she does not have any cancer cells in her body or any signs or symptoms.

  • HeLa cells: a brief history and ethical concerns

    The controversy arises from the fact that Henrietta Lacks was never informed that her cells were being cultured in this experiment. Nor did she, or her family, consented to these cells, effectively part of her body, to being used in research.

View More Related Solutions