ObjectiveTo summarize the biological characteristics of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2/neu) gene, the expression and meaning of HER-2/neu gene in gastric cancer, and clinical application of targeted medicine of HER-2/neu gene in gastric cancer. MethodsRelated literatures about HER-2/neu gene and gastric cancer were retrieved for a review. ResultsHER-2/neu gene encoded human epidermal growth factor receptor, and it participated in the gene regulation of tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis through the downstream signal transduction pathway. Amplification of HER-2/neu gene or overexpression of HER-2 was closely bound up to the occurrence and development of gastric cancer, however, whether it could be used as independent prognostic factors of gastric cancer remained to be controversial. Several targeted medicine of HER-2/neu gene had applied to clinical at present, and all of them obtained good short-term effect. ConclusionHER-2/neu gene is a reliable target of gastric cancer and targeted medicine of HER-2/neu gene has a promising prospect.