An oncogene called HER-2 causes many cases of breast and ovarian cancer.The drug Herceptin is an antibody that targets the HER-2 receptors on the cancer cells, cutting off the chemical signals that the cell needs to keep proliferating.It also marks the abnormal cells for destruction by the immune system.Which of the following statements best describes cancer caused by this oncogene?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The drug Herceptin targets the HER-2 receptors on cancer cells, indicating that these receptors can be attacked by antibodies. This means that HER-2 receptors are antigens, which are molecules that can stimulate an immune response. Therefore, option A is the best choice. Option B is incorrect because not all breast and ovarian cancers are linked to the HER-2 oncogene. Option C is incorrect because immunoglobulins, which are antibodies produced by the immune system, are already used as a therapy for some cancers, such as rituximab for lymphomas. Option D is incorrect because the immune system can recognize and kill cancer cells. Option E is incorrect because HER-2 receptors promote cell division, rather than blocking it.

An Oncogene Called HER-2 Causes Many Cases of Breast and Ovarian