Patient tumor cells are tested for HER2 signaling dysfunction by: (1) individually characterizing HER3 and HER1 signaling activity by stimulating cells separately with NRG and EGF; (2) individually characterizing the activity specific to HER2 heterodimerization with the HER3 and HER1 receptor by also contacting the cells with a HER2 inhibitor. This evidence concerns the gene EGF and neoplasm.