Breast cancer has also been revolutionized in regards to HER2. HER2 (Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2) is a protein that regulates cell growth and division. In about 20% of breast cancers, the HER2 gene is overexpressed or amplified, leading to too many HER2 receptors on the cancer cells. This overactivity of HER2 can drive cancer cell growth and make the cancer more aggressive. The discovery of HER2's role in breast cancer revolutionized treatment by enabling the development of targeted therapies that specifically block HER2, significantly improving outcomes for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, like the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin). Herceptin and other anti-HER2 therapies have dramatically improved survival rates for HER2-positive breast cancer patients. While HER2-targeted therapies have been incredibly successful, unfortunately some patients develop resistance to initial treatments. Nevertheless, patients experiencing this deserve to have treatments built for them, too. Ongoing research focuses on understanding and overcoming this resistance. One consideration currently being investigated is how epigenetic changes drive HER2-targeted therapy resistance. Epigenetic modifications can silence the ERBB2 gene, which encodes HER2, leading to a decrease in HER2 expression on cancer cells. This reduced HER2 expression can make the tumor cells less responsive to HER2-targeted therapies like Herceptin. Treatment and drug resistance calls for the need to discover and create new technology. To do this, genetic data is needed to fuel research. When you share your anatomized genetic data with 46forALL, you are contributing to making treatments and enabling personalization in healthcare for everyone.