A Novel HER2 Protein Identification Methodology in Breast Cancer Cells Using Raman Spectroscopy and Raman Imaging: An Analytical Validation Study

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Rowan

The study evaluates a novel immunodetection approach that combines Raman spectroscopy and Raman imaging with artificial intelligence models for quantifying HER2 status in breast cancer cells. It addresses limitations of conventional clinical assays, including immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH). Raman measurements were compared against IHC and showed a strong linear correlation in multiple breast cell lines, suggesting potential advantages over current diagnostic workflows.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

HER2 biomarker background

HER2 receptor structure and signaling

This article is licensed under CC-BY 4.0 [pubs.acs.org/jmc](pubs.acs.org/jmc) Article A Novel HER2 Protein Identification Methodology in Breast Cancer Cells Using Raman Spectroscopy and Raman Imaging: An Analytical Validation Study Halina Abramczyk,* Jakub Maciej Surmacki, and Monika Kopéc Cite This: J. Med. Chem. 2024, 67, 17629−17639 Read Online | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | ACCESS | Metrics & More | | Article Recommendations | | *sı Supporting Information | ABSTRACT: Conventional assays such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) used in clinical procedures for quantification of the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) status in breast cancer have many limitations. In the current study, we have used HER2 expression in a broad range of breast cancer phenotypes to explore the potential utility of a novel immunodetection technique using Raman spectroscopy and Raman imaging combined with artificial intelligence models. The correlations between the Raman method and conventional HER2 testing methodologies (IHC and ISH) have been tested. Raman measurements showed a strong linear correlation (p = 0.05, R2=0,9816) with IHC analysis in the studied breast cell lines: MCF-10A, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, HTB-30 (SK-BR-3), and AU- 565 represent normal, nontumorigenic epithelial cells, triple-positive breast carcinoma, and triple-negative breast cancer cell lines. Analytic testing of Raman spectroscopy and Raman imaging demonstrated that this method may offer advantages over the currently used diagnostic methodologies. ■ INTRODUCTION When a virus attacks our body, the entire immune system is alerted through chemical signals of a generated protein. When cancer invades our body, the warning alert is less obvious because cancer cells do not trigger such fierce immune responses as for viruses. The mutated cancer cells are still similar to healthy cells and the immune system does not recognize the distinction between them allowing the cancer cells continuing to grow, divide, and spread throughout the body. To detect subtle genomic and posttranslational modifications of proteins, DNA, RNA, lipids in cells and tissues, and the cellular environment that occur due to the development of a cancer, we must use proper tools to measure biochemical alterations that are specific for cancer. The characteristic biochemical profiles are called cancer biomarkers that are measured as an indicator of the risk of cancer, occurrence, or patient outcome. 1−5 An example of a cancer biomarker is the HER2 gene that makes the HER2 protein. Normal tissues have a low amount of HER2 protein, which helps control cell division and growth. Aberrant extra copies of this gene (amplification) may lead to an excess (overexpression) of the HER2 protein, which causes cells to grow more quickly. Overexpressed HER2 is reported in 20% of breast cancer and in some ovarian and gastric cancers.6−18 The HER2 protein (also called HER2/neu or ErbB2) is acellular receptor that is responsible for translating signals from outside the cell into signals within the cell. The routine oncological test for all breast cancers is the determination of HER2 status. HER2 belongs to a group of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and consists of an extracellular domain that includes four subdomains (I−IV),19 a single helix transmembrane lipophilic segment, and an intracellular region that contains a tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) and a carboxyl (C−) terminal tail (Figure 1).20 RTKs can be activated by ligand-dependent and ligand-independent mechanisms. No ligands for HER2 have yet been identified,21,22 and dimerization with any of the other three subdomains is considered to activate HER2.23 The dimerization in the extracellular region of HER2 induces intracellular conformational changes that trigger tyrosine kinase activation.1 Activated HER2 triggers the phosphorylation of multiple tyrosine (Y) residues at its C-

FAQs

Why are conventional HER2 assays like IHC and ISH limited?

Conventional clinical procedures for quantifying HER2 status have many limitations, prompting the need for improved detection methods.

What detection approach does the study propose?

The study uses HER2 expression across breast cancer phenotypes to evaluate Raman spectroscopy and Raman imaging combined with artificial intelligence models for immunodetection.

How did Raman results compare with conventional HER2 testing?

Raman measurements showed a strong linear correlation with IHC analysis across several breast cell lines, indicating agreement with established testing methodologies.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Rowan