-
NPJ Breast Cancer Apr 2024Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been associated with outcomes in HER2-positive breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and trastuzumab....
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been associated with outcomes in HER2-positive breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and trastuzumab. However, it remains unclear if TILs could be a prognostic and/or predictive biomarker in the context of dual HER2-targeting treatment. In this study, we evaluated the association between TILs and pathological response (pCR) and invasive-disease free survival (IDFS) in 389 patients with stage II-III HER2 positive breast cancer who received neoadjuvant anthracycline-containing or anthracycline-free chemotherapy combined with trastuzumab and pertuzumab in the TRAIN-2 trial. Although no significant association was seen between TILs and pCR, patients with TIL scores ≥60% demonstrated an excellent 3-year IDFS of 100% (95% CI 100-100), regardless of hormone receptor status, nodal stage and attainment of pCR. Additionally, in patients with hormone receptor positive disease, TILs as a continuous variable showed a trend to a positive association with pCR (adjusted Odds Ratio per 10% increase in TILs 1.15, 95% CI 0.99-1.34, p = 0.070) and IDFS (adjusted Hazard Ratio per 10% increase in TILs 0.71, 95% CI 0.50-1.01, p = 0.058). We found no interactions between TILs and anthracycline treatment. Our results suggest that high TIL scores might be able to identify stage II-III HER2-positive breast cancer patients with a favorable prognosis.
PubMed: 38637568
DOI: 10.1038/s41523-024-00636-4 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024The binding activity of various trastuzumab biosimilars versus the branded trastuzumab towards the glycosylated extracellular domain of the human epidermal growth factor...
The binding activity of various trastuzumab biosimilars versus the branded trastuzumab towards the glycosylated extracellular domain of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) target in the presence of pertuzumab was investigated. We employed size exclusion chromatography with tetra-detection methodology to simultaneously determine absolute molecular weight, concentration, molecular size, and intrinsic viscosity. All trastuzumab molecules in solution exhibit analogous behavior in their binary action towards HER2 regardless of the order of addition of trastuzumab/pertuzumab. This analogous behavior of all trastuzumab molecules, including biosimilars, highlights the robustness and consistency of their binding activity towards HER2. Furthermore, the addition of HER2 to a mixture of trastuzumab and pertuzumab leads to increased formation of high-order HER2 complexes, up to concentrations of one order of magnitude higher than in the case of sequential addition. The observed increase suggests a potential synergistic effect between these antibodies, which could enhance their therapeutic efficacy in HER2-positive cancers. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the complex interplay between therapeutic antibodies and their target antigens, providing valuable insights for the development of more effective treatment strategies.
Topics: Humans; Trastuzumab; Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Chromatography, Gel; Neoplasms
PubMed: 38612751
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073940 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024Gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) is one of the principal causes of death related to cancer globally. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a tyrosine... (Review)
Review
Gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) is one of the principal causes of death related to cancer globally. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a tyrosine kinase receptor which is found to be overexpressed or amplified in approximately 20% of GEA cases. In GEA, the identification of HER2-positive status is crucial to activate a specific anti-HER2 targeted therapy. The landmark ToGA trial demonstrated the superiority of adding trastuzumab to platinum-based chemotherapy, becoming the first-line standard of treatment. However, unlike breast cancer, the efficacy of other anti-HER2 drugs, such as lapatinib, pertuzumab, and T-DM1, has failed to improve outcomes in advanced and locally advanced resectable GEA. Recently, the combination of trastuzumab with pembrolizumab, along with chemotherapy, and the development of trastuzumab deruxtecan, with its specific bystander activity, demonstrated improved outcomes, renewing attention in the treatment of this disease. This review will summarise historical and emerging therapies for the treatment of HER2-positive GEA, with a section dedicated to the HER2 molecular pathway and the use of novel blood biomarkers, such as circulating tumour DNA and circulating tumour cells, which may be helpful in the future to guide treatment decisions.
Topics: Humans; Adenocarcinoma; Trastuzumab; Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine; Circulating Tumor DNA; Lapatinib
PubMed: 38612688
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073876 -
Cancers Mar 2024Despite a decreasing incidence in Western countries, gastric cancer is among the most common cancer subtypes globally and is associated with one of the highest... (Review)
Review
Despite a decreasing incidence in Western countries, gastric cancer is among the most common cancer subtypes globally and is associated with one of the highest tumor-related mortality rates. Biomarkers play an increasing role in the treatment against gastric cancer. HER2 was one of the first biomarkers that found its way into clinical practice. Since the ToGA trial, trastuzumab has been part of first-line palliative chemotherapy in metastatic or unresectable gastric cancer. HER2-targeting agents, such as the tyrosine kinase inhibitor lapatinib, the antibody drug conjugate (ADC) trastuzumab-emtansine or dual HER2 inhibition (pertuzumab and trastuzumab), have been investigated in the second-line setting but led to negative study results. More recently, the ADC trastuzumab-deruxtecan was authorized after the failure of trastuzumab-based treatment. However, further improvements in HER2-directed therapy are required as resistance mechanisms and HER2 heterogeneity limit the existing treatment options. This review aims to give an overview of the current standard-of-care HER2-directed therapy in gastric cancer, as well as its challenges and future developments.
PubMed: 38611014
DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071336 -
Breast Cancer Research : BCR Apr 2024This study aimed to explore potential indicators associated with the neoadjuvant efficacy of TCbHP regimen (taxane, carboplatin, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab) in...
Metabolomics assisted by transcriptomics analysis to reveal metabolic characteristics and potential biomarkers associated with treatment response of neoadjuvant therapy with TCbHP regimen in HER2 + breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to explore potential indicators associated with the neoadjuvant efficacy of TCbHP regimen (taxane, carboplatin, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab) in HER2 + breast cancer (BrCa) patients.
METHODS
A total of 120 plasma samples from 40 patients with HER2 + BrCa were prospectively collected at three treatment times of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) with TCbHP regimen. Serum metabolites were analyzed based on LC-MS and GC-MS data. Random forest was used to establish predictive models based on pre-therapeutic differentially expressed metabolites. Time series analysis was used to obtain potential monitors for treatment response. Transcriptome analysis was performed in nine available pre‑therapeutic specimens of core needle biopsies. Integrated analyses of metabolomics and transcriptomics were also performed in these nine patients. qRT-PCR was used to detect altered genes in trastuzumab-sensitive and trastuzumab-resistant cell lines.
RESULTS
Twenty-one patients achieved pCR, and 19 patients achieved non-pCR. There were significant differences in plasma metabolic profiles before and during treatment. A total of 100 differential metabolites were identified between pCR patients and non-pCR patients at baseline; these metabolites were markedly enriched in 40 metabolic pathways. The area under the curve (AUC) values for discriminating the pCR and non-PCR groups from the NAT of the single potential metabolite [sophorose, N-(2-acetamido) iminodiacetic acid, taurine and 6-hydroxy-2-aminohexanoic acid] or combined panel of these metabolites were greater than 0.910. Eighteen metabolites exhibited potential for monitoring efficacy. Several validated genes might be associated with trastuzumab resistance. Thirty-nine altered pathways were found to be abnormally expressed at both the transcriptional and metabolic levels.
CONCLUSION
Serum-metabolomics could be used as a powerful tool for exploring informative biomarkers for predicting or monitoring treatment efficacy. Metabolomics integrated with transcriptomics analysis could assist in obtaining new insights into biochemical pathophysiology and might facilitate the development of new treatment targets for insensitive patients.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Metabolomics; Trastuzumab; Biomarkers
PubMed: 38610016
DOI: 10.1186/s13058-024-01813-w -
The Lancet. Oncology May 2024Patients with stage II-III HER2-positive breast cancer have good outcomes with the combination of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and HER2-targeted agents. Although increasing...
BACKGROUND
Patients with stage II-III HER2-positive breast cancer have good outcomes with the combination of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and HER2-targeted agents. Although increasing the number of chemotherapy cycles improves pathological complete response rates, early complete responses are common. We investigated whether the duration of chemotherapy could be tailored on the basis of radiological response.
METHODS
TRAIN-3 is a single-arm, phase 2 study in 43 hospitals in the Netherlands. Patients with stage II-III HER2-positive breast cancer aged 18 years or older and a WHO performance status of 0 or 1 were enrolled. Patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of paclitaxel (80 mg/m of body surface area on day 1 and 8 of each 21 day cycle), trastuzumab (loading dose on day 1 of cycle 1 of 8 mg/kg bodyweight, and then 6 mg/kg on day 1 on all subsequent cycles), and carboplatin (area under the concentration time curve 6 mg/mL per min on day 1 of each 3 week cycle) and pertuzumab (loading dose on day 1 of cycle 1 of 840 mg, and then 420 mg on day 1 of each subsequent cycle), all given intravenously. The response was monitored by breast MRI every three cycles and lymph node biopsy. Patients underwent surgery when a complete radiological response was observed or after a maximum of nine cycles of treatment. The primary endpoint was event-free survival at 3 years; however, follow-up for the primary endpoint is ongoing. Here, we present the radiological and pathological response rates (secondary endpoints) of all patients who underwent surgery and the toxicity data for all patients who received at least one cycle of treatment. Analyses were done in hormone receptor-positive and hormone receptor-negative patients separately. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03820063, recruitment is closed, and the follow-up for the primary endpoint is ongoing.
FINDINGS
Between April 1, 2019, and May 12, 2021, 235 patients with hormone receptor-negative cancer and 232 with hormone receptor-positive cancer were enrolled. Median follow-up was 26·4 months (IQR 22·9-32·9) for patients who were hormone receptor-negative and 31·6 months (25·6-35·7) for patients who were hormone receptor-positive. Overall, the median age was 51 years (IQR 43-59). In 233 patients with hormone receptor-negative tumours, radiological complete response was seen in 84 (36%; 95% CI 30-43) patients after one to three cycles, 140 (60%; 53-66) patients after one to six cycles, and 169 (73%; 66-78) patients after one to nine cycles. In 232 patients with hormone receptor-positive tumours, radiological complete response was seen in 68 (29%; 24-36) patients after one to three cycles, 118 (51%; 44-57) patients after one to six cycles, and 138 (59%; 53-66) patients after one to nine cycles. Among patients with a radiological complete response after one to nine cycles, a pathological complete response was seen in 147 (87%; 95% CI 81-92) of 169 patients with hormone receptor-negative tumours and was seen in 73 (53%; 44-61) of 138 patients with hormone receptor-positive tumours. The most common grade 3-4 adverse events were neutropenia (175 [37%] of 467), anaemia (75 [16%]), and diarrhoea (57 [12%]). No treatment-related deaths were reported.
INTERPRETATION
In our study, a third of patients with stage II-III hormone receptor-negative and HER2-positive breast cancer had a complete pathological response after only three cycles of neoadjuvant systemic therapy. A complete response on breast MRI could help identify early complete responders in patients who had hormone receptor negative tumours. An imaging-based strategy might limit the duration of chemotherapy in these patients, reduce side-effects, and maintain quality of life if confirmed by the analysis of the 3-year event-free survival primary endpoint. Better monitoring tools are needed for patients with hormone receptor-positive and HER2-positive breast cancer.
FUNDING
Roche Netherlands.
Topics: Humans; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Middle Aged; Receptor, ErbB-2; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Adult; Aged; Paclitaxel; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neoplasm Staging; Trastuzumab; Carboplatin; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Netherlands; Drug Administration Schedule; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
PubMed: 38588682
DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(24)00104-9 -
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine... Apr 2024The PHERGain study (NCT03161353) is assessing early metabolic responses to neoadjuvant treatment with trastuzumab-pertuzumab and chemotherapy de-escalation using a...
BACKGROUND
The PHERGain study (NCT03161353) is assessing early metabolic responses to neoadjuvant treatment with trastuzumab-pertuzumab and chemotherapy de-escalation using a [Fluorine]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography ([F]FDG-PET) and a pathological complete response-adapted strategy in HER2-positive (HER2+) early breast cancer (EBC). Herein, we present RESPONSE, a PHERGain substudy, where clinicopathological and molecular predictors of [F]FDG-PET disease detection were evaluated.
METHODS
A total of 500 patients with HER2 + EBC screened in the PHERGain trial with a tumor size > 1.5 cm by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were included in the RESPONSE substudy. PET[-] criteria entailed the absence of ≥ 1 breast lesion with maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) ≥ 1.5 × SUVmean liver + 2 standard deviation. Among 75 PET[-] patients screened, 21 with SUVmax levels < 2.5 were randomly selected and matched with 21 PET[+] patients with SUVmax levels ≥ 2.5 based on patient characteristics associated with [F]FDG-PET status. The association between baseline SUVmax and [F]FDG-PET status ([-] or [+]) with clinicopathological characteristics was assessed. In addition, evaluation of stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (sTILs) and gene expression analysis using PAM50 and Vantage 3D™ Cancer Metabolism Panel were specifically compared in a matched cohort of excluded and enrolled patients based on the [F]FDG-PET eligibility criteria.
RESULTS
Median SUVmax at baseline was 7.2 (range, 1-39.3). Among all analyzed patients, a higher SUVmax was associated with a higher tumor stage, larger tumor size, lymph node involvement, hormone receptor-negative status, higher HER2 protein expression, increased Ki67 proliferation index, and higher histological grade (p < 0.05). [F]FDG-PET [-] criteria patients had smaller tumor size (p = 0.014) along with the absence of lymph node involvement and lower histological grade than [F]FDG-PET [+] patients (p < 0.01). Although no difference in the levels of sTILs was found among 42 matched [F]FDG-PET [-]/[+] criteria patients (p = 0.73), [F]FDG-PET [-] criteria patients showed a decreased risk of recurrence (ROR) and a lower proportion of PAM50 HER2-enriched subtype than [F]FDG-PET[+] patients (p < 0.05). Differences in the expression of genes involved in cancer metabolism were observed between [F]FDG-PET [-] and [F]FDG-PET[+] criteria patients.
CONCLUSIONS
These results highlight the clinical, biological, and metabolic heterogeneity of HER2+ breast cancer, which may facilitate the selection of HER2+ EBC patients likely to benefit from [F]FDG-PET imaging as a tool to guide therapy.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Clinicaltrials.gov; NCT03161353; registration date: May 15, 2017.
PubMed: 38587643
DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06683-0 -
World Journal of Surgical Oncology Apr 2024Real-world studies on neoadjuvant dual anti-HER2 therapy combined with chemotherapy for breast cancer (BC) are scarce in China. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy...
Neoadjuvant pertuzumab plus trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive breast cancer: a real-world retrospective single-institutional study in China.
INTRODUCTION
Real-world studies on neoadjuvant dual anti-HER2 therapy combined with chemotherapy for breast cancer (BC) are scarce in China. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant dual anti-HER2 therapy combined with chemotherapy in a real-world setting. Moreover, differences in estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and proliferation cell nuclear antigen (Ki-67) expression pre- and post-neoadjuvant therapy were analyzed.
METHODS
Clinical and pathological data of patients with HER2-positive BC who received neoadjuvant dual anti-HER2 therapy combined with chemotherapy at Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, China, between September 2021 and September 2023, were retrospectively reviewed.
RESULTS
Among 179 included patients, a pathologic complete response (pCR) was achieved in 109 patients (60.9%). The univariate analysis results indicated that the hormone receptor (HR) status (P = 0.013), HER2 status (P = 0.003), and cycles of targeted treatment (P = 0.035) were significantly correlated with pCR. Subsequent multivariable analysis showed that HR negative and HER2 status 3 + were independent predictive factors of pCR. Anemia was the most common adverse event (62.0%), and the most common grade 3-4 adverse event was neutropenia (6.1%). The differences in HER2 (34.5%) and Ki-67 (92.7%) expression between core needle biopsy and the residual tumor after neoadjuvant therapy were statistically significant, whereas the differences were insignificant in terms of ER or PR status.
CONCLUSIONS
The combination of neoadjuvant trastuzumab and pertuzumab with chemotherapy showed good efficiency, and the toxic side effects were tolerable in patients with BC. In cases where pCR was not achieved after neoadjuvant therapy, downregulation of HER2 and Ki-67 expressions was observed.
Topics: Humans; Female; Trastuzumab; Breast Neoplasms; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Retrospective Studies; Ki-67 Antigen; Receptor, ErbB-2; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
PubMed: 38582875
DOI: 10.1186/s12957-024-03365-x -
Lancet (London, England) Apr 2024PHERGain was designed to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a chemotherapy-free treatment based on a dual human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
3-year invasive disease-free survival with chemotherapy de-escalation using an F-FDG-PET-based, pathological complete response-adapted strategy in HER2-positive early breast cancer (PHERGain): a randomised, open-label, phase 2 trial.
BACKGROUND
PHERGain was designed to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a chemotherapy-free treatment based on a dual human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) blockade with trastuzumab and pertuzumab in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer (EBC). It used an fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET-based, pathological complete response (pCR)-adapted strategy.
METHODS
PHERGain was a randomised, open-label, phase 2 trial that took place in 45 hospitals in seven European countries. It randomly allocated patients in a 1:4 ratio with centrally confirmed, HER2-positive, stage I-IIIA invasive, operable breast cancer with at least one PET-evaluable lesion to either group A, where patients received docetaxel (75 mg/m, intravenous), carboplatin (area under the curve 6 mg/mL per min, intravenous), trastuzumab (600 mg fixed dose, subcutaneous), and pertuzumab (840 mg loading dose followed by 420 mg maintenance doses, intravenous; TCHP), or group B, where patients received trastuzumab and pertuzumab with or without endocrine therapy, every 3 weeks. Random allocation was stratified by hormone receptor status. Centrally reviewed PET was conducted at baseline and after two treatment cycles. Patients in group B were treated according to on-treatment PET results. Patients in group B who were PET-responders continued with trastuzumab and pertuzumab with or without endocrine therapy for six cycles, while PET-non-responders were switched to receive six cycles of TCHP. After surgery, patients in group B who were PET-responders who did not achieve a pCR received six cycles of TCHP, and all patients completed up to 18 cycles of trastuzumab and pertuzumab. The primary endpoints were pCR in patients who were group B PET-responders after two treatment cycles (the results for which have been reported previously) and 3-year invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) in patients in group B. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03161353) and is ongoing.
FINDINGS
Between June 26, 2017, and April 24, 2019, a total of 356 patients were randomly allocated (71 patients in group A and 285 patients in group B), and 63 (89%) and 267 (94%) patients proceeded to surgery in groups A and B, respectively. At this second analysis (data cutoff: Nov 4, 2022), the median duration of follow-up was 43·3 months (range 0·0-63·0). In group B, the 3-year iDFS rate was 94·8% (95% CI 91·4-97·1; p=0·001), meeting the primary endpoint. No new safety signals were identified. Treatment-related adverse events and serious adverse events (SAEs) were numerically higher in patients allocated to group A than to group B (grade ≥3 62% vs 33%; SAEs 28% vs 14%). Group B PET-responders with pCR presented the lowest incidence of treatment-related grade 3 or higher adverse events (1%) without any SAEs.
INTERPRETATION
Among HER2-positive EBC patients, a PET-based, pCR-adapted strategy was associated with an excellent 3-year iDFS. This strategy identified about a third of patients who had HER2-positive EBC who could safely omit chemotherapy.
FUNDING
F Hoffmann-La Roche.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Trastuzumab; Receptor, ErbB-2; Docetaxel; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Adult; Disease-Free Survival; Aged; Positron-Emission Tomography; Carboplatin; Radiopharmaceuticals
PubMed: 38582092
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00054-0 -
Journal of Nuclear Medicine : Official... May 2024The PHERGain trial investigated the potential of metabolic imaging to identify candidates for chemotherapy deescalation in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2...
Optimal [F]FDG PET/CT Cutoff for Pathologic Complete Response in HER2-Positive Early Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Neoadjuvant Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab in the PHERGain Trial.
The PHERGain trial investigated the potential of metabolic imaging to identify candidates for chemotherapy deescalation in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive, invasive, operable breast cancer with at least 1 breast lesion evaluable by [F]FDG PET/CT. [F]FDG PET/CT responders were defined as patients with an SUV reduction (ΔSUV) of at least 40% in all of their target lesions after 2 cycles of trastuzumab and pertuzumab (HP) (with or without endocrine therapy). In total, 227 of 285 patients (80%) included in the HP arm showed a predefined metabolic response and received a total of 8 cycles of HP (with or without endocrine therapy). Pathologic complete response (pCR), defined as ypT0/isN0, was achieved in 37.9% of the patients. Here, we describe the secondary preplanned analysis of the best cutoff of ΔSUV for pCR prediction. Receiver-operating-characteristic analysis was applied to look for the most appropriate ΔSUV cutoff in HER2-positive early breast cancer patients treated exclusively with neoadjuvant HP (with or without endocrine therapy). The ΔSUV capability of predicting pCR in terms of the area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve was 72.1% (95% CI, 65.1-79.2%). The optimal ΔSUV cutoff was found to be 77.0%, with a 51.2% sensitivity and a 78.7% specificity. With this cutoff, 74 of 285 patients (26%) would be classified as metabolic responders, increasing the pCR rate from 37.9% (cutoff ≥ 40%) to 59.5% (44/74 patients) ( < 0.01). With this optimized cutoff, 44 of 285 patients (15.4%) would avoid chemotherapy in either the neoadjuvant or the adjuvant setting compared with 86 of 285 patients (30.2%) using the original cutoff ( < 0.001). In the PHERGain trial, an increased SUV cutoff (≥77%) after 2 cycles of exclusive HP (with or without endocrine therapy) achieves a pCR in the range of the control arm with chemotherapy plus HP (59.5% vs. 57.7%, respectively), further identifying a subgroup of patients with HER2-addicted tumors. However, the original cutoff (≥40%) maximizes the number of patients who could avoid chemotherapy.
Topics: Humans; Breast Neoplasms; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Female; Receptor, ErbB-2; Middle Aged; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Aged; Adult; Treatment Outcome; Trastuzumab; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
PubMed: 38575192
DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.123.266384