Survival of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Cells: Receptor Signaling to Apoptotic Control Centers

HER2 is overexpressed in a subset of breast cancers and controls an oncogenic signaling network that inhibits tumor cell death through the specific biochemical regulation of apoptotic pathways. In particular, the mitochondrial pathway for apoptosis is important for death induced by inhibitors of HER2. This review focuses on the connections between this oncogenic signaling network and individual components of the mitochondrial pathway. A comprehensive view of this signaling network is crucial for developing novel drugs in this area and to gain an understanding of how these regulatory interactions are altered in drug-refractory cancers.