Predicting response to a her inhibitor

Abstract

The present application describes the use of low HER3 as a selection criterion for treating patients with a HER inhibitor, such as pertuzumab. It also describes the use of high HER2:HER3 ratio as a selection criterion for treating cancer patients, such as ovarian cancer patients, with a HER inhibitor, such as pertuzumab. In addition, the application describes the use of high HER3 as a selection criterion for treating cancer patients with a chemotherapeutic agent, for instance gemcitabine.

1 . A method for selecting a therapy for a patient with a type of cancer which is able to respond to a chemotherapeutic agent comprising determining HER3 expression in a cancer sample from the patient and selecting a chemotherapeutic agent as the therapy if the cancer sample expresses HER3 at a level greater than the median level for HER3 expression in the cancer type. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cancer type is ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the cancer type is platinum-resistant ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the cancer type is advanced, refractory, or recurrent ovarian cancer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the chemotherapeutic agent is an antimetabolite. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the antimetabolite chemotherapeutic agent is gemcitabine.