Which breast cancer oncogene is linked to higher rates of recurrence and aggressiveness?

The option indicating HER2 as the breast cancer oncogene associated with higher rates of recurrence and aggressiveness is indeed accurate. HER2, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, is a gene that plays a critical role in the growth and spread of cancer cells, particularly in a subtype of breast cancer known as HER2-positive cancer. Overexpression of the HER2 protein leads to increased tumor cell proliferation and survival, resulting in a more aggressive form of breast cancer.

Patients with HER2-positive breast cancers tend to experience more aggressive disease characteristics, including higher chances of metastasis, and they may have a higher likelihood of recurrence after treatment than those with HER2-negative tumors. This is because HER2-positive tumors often do not respond as effectively to standard treatments such as hormonal therapy and can be more resistant to chemotherapy. As a result, HER2-positive cancers are frequently treated with targeted therapies specifically designed to inhibit HER2, aiming to improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of recurrence.

In contrast, while BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are also significant in breast cancer genetics, they primarily relate to hereditary predisposition rather than directly influencing the oncogenic aggressiveness of a cancer once it has developed. EGFR (epidermal growth factor