Melanomas with ERBB4 mutations may be associated with sensitivity to Lapatinib.

ERBB4 is a member of the EGFR subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases. Approximately 5.4% of non-small cell lung cancers harbor ERBB4 missense mutations (COSMIC). In addition, 5.2% of adenocarcinomas have mutations in the ERBB4 gene that encode an amino acid change in the receptor. Activating, potentially oncogenic ERBB4 mutations (in particular Y285C, D595V, D931Y, and K935I) have been identified. However, the functional effects of lung cancer associated ERBB4 mutations is largely unknown. ERBB4 P920H variant has been seen in one case of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (cancer.sanger.ac.uk). However, further studies are warranted to assess the potential prognostic and therapeutic significance of this and other variants of ERBB4.