What oncogene is notably associated with breast cancer?

HER2 is a well-known oncogene that is significantly associated with breast cancer. It encodes a protein that is part of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family. When overexpressed, HER2 leads to the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells, contributing to the aggressive nature of certain types of breast cancers. Approximately 20-25% of breast cancers are classified as HER2-positive, indicating the overexpression of this protein, which can have implications for treatment options.

Targeted therapies, such as trastuzumab (Herceptin), have been developed to specifically block the HER2 receptor. This has dramatically improved outcomes for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, highlighting the importance of recognizing this oncogene in both the diagnosis and treatment planning for breast cancer.

The other options relate to cancer in different contexts; for instance, BRCA2 is a gene associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome but is not classified as an oncogene. WT1 is primarily associated with Wilms' tumor and certain leukemias, while KRAS is more frequently linked to colorectal and pancreatic cancers.