Description
HER2/neu, also known as Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2), is a protein that is overexpressed in certain types of cancer, particularly breast cancer. The HER2/neu primary antibody is used in laboratory tests to detect the presence of HER2 in cancer cells, which helps in diagnosing and guiding treatment decisions, especially in breast cancer. HER2 is a receptor on the surface of cells that, when activated, stimulates cell growth. In normal cells, HER2 plays a role in regulating cell division and growth. However, in some cancers, especially breast cancer, HER2 is overexpressed or amplified, leading to uncontrolled cell division and tumor growth. A primary antibody specifically targets and binds to the HER2 protein. When this is applied to tissue samples (such as breast cancer biopsies), it binds to the HER2 protein on the surface of cells, allowing for its detection under a microscope or through laboratory analysis. This binding can be visualized using different techniques such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
