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Ajabnoor R, Zhang G, Hu Y, Gao Y, Finkelman BS, Turner BM, Yi S, Dhakal A, Audeh W, Li Z, Li X, Hicks DG, Zhang H. Breast Cancer With HER2 Immunohistochemical Score 2 and Average HER2 Signals/Cell 6 or More and HER2/CEP17 Ratio Less Than 2 ('ISH Group 3'): A Multi-Institutional Cohort Analysis Emphasizing Outcome and Molecular Subtype. Mod Pathol 2024; 37:100530. [PMID: 38810729 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2024.100530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) with average human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) signals/cell ≥6 and HER2/chromosome enumeration probe 17 (CEP17) ratio <2 (in situ hybridization [ISH] group 3) is very rare, accounting for 0.4% to 3.0% of cases sent for the dual-probe ISH assay. Although such patients are currently eligible for treatment with HER2-targeted therapy, their characteristics and outcomes remain poorly understood. Sixty-two BCs with equivocal HER2 immunohistochemical score (2+) and reflex ISH group 3 results were identified across 4 institutions. Available clinicopathologic characteristics, MammaPrint and BluePrint molecular results, and follow-up information were retrospectively analyzed. Most BCs with HER2 equivocal immunohistochemical and ISH group 3 results were histologic grade 2 or 3 (100%), estrogen receptor (ER) positive (90.3%), with an average HER2 signals/cell of 7.3. Molecular profiles revealed that 80% (16/20) of tumors were luminal subtypes, and HER2 molecular subtype was identified in 10% of tumors (2/20). Twelve (19.4%) out of 62 patients developed local recurrence and/or distant metastasis with a median follow-up of 50 months. One (10%) of 10 patients achieved pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Forty-nine (79%) out of 62 patients completed anti-HER2 agents, and exploratory analysis showed no statistically significant difference in disease outcomes between patients who completed anti-HER2 treatment and those who did not. Univariate analysis revealed advanced clinical stage, and ER/progesterone receptor negativity was associated with unfavorable disease outcomes, and exploratory multivariate analysis demonstrated that clinical stage was the most significant factor associated with disease outcomes in the studied population. These findings increase our understanding of this rare, but clinically important HER2 category. Large-scale prospective randomized studies are needed to further evaluate the role of perioperative HER2-targeted therapy in this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Ajabnoor
- Department of Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York; Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Gloria Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Yan Hu
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Yuan Gao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Brian S Finkelman
- Department of Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Bradley M Turner
- Department of Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Sha Yi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ajay Dhakal
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - William Audeh
- Department of Medical Affairs, Agendia Inc, Irvine, California
| | - Zaibo Li
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Xiaoxian Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - David G Hicks
- Department of Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Huina Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.
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Jiang F, Lai J, Zhuo X, Liu L, Yang Y, Zhang J, Zhao J, Xu W, Wang J, Wang C, Fu G. HER2-positive breast cancer progresses rapidly after pyrotinib resistance: acquired RET gene fusion and TP53 gene mutation are potential reasons. Anticancer Drugs 2023; 34:1196-1201. [PMID: 36689646 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000001506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 15-20% of the patients with breast cancer overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 ( HER2 ). HER2 -positive breast cancer is highly aggressive and has a high relapse rate, suggesting that it is prone to and progresses rapidly after drug resistance. Pyrotinib resistance and changes in patients' conditions after drug resistance are challenging clinical issues and require medical attention. Recently, there are few clinical reports on changes in patients' conditions after pyrotinib resistance. We report a case of a 46-year-old patient with HER2 -positive breast cancer who developed resistance to pyrotinib and rapidly progressed to uncontrolled liver failure in less than a week. To elucidate the cause of the rapid progression, we collected samples of the patient's ascites and performed next-generation sequencing (NGS). On the basis of the NGS results, we speculated that the rapid progression after pyrotinib resistance might be due to RET gene fusion and TP53 gene mutations. Therefore, this case report aims to alert oncologists that patients with HER2 -positive breast cancer, who are resistant to pyrotinib or other targeted drugs, could experience rapid or even flare-up progression and that RET gene fusion and TP53 gene mutations might be potential causes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengxian Jiang
- Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Jingjiang Lai
- Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Xiaoli Zhuo
- Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University
- The Clinical Medical College, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medicine)
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University
- The Clinical Medical College, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medicine)
| | - Yucheng Yang
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University
| | | | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University
- The Clinical Medical College, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medicine)
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingliang Wang
- Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Cuiyan Wang
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University
| | - Guobin Fu
- Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University
- Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
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Mohanlal RD, Bouwer N, Willem P. HER2 Equivocal (Score = 2+) Breast Carcinoma Cases Identified by Immunohistochemistry at a South African Hospital. What is the Impact of Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization Testing? Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2023; 31:555-560. [PMID: 37471623 DOI: 10.1097/pai.0000000000001141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
The American Society of Clinical Oncology and the College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) guidelines are used for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) reporting in breast carcinoma. Cases that demonstrate weak to moderate complete membrane immunohistochemical staining in >10% of the tumor are scored as 2+ (equivocal). This study aimed to determine what proportion of HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) score = 2+ breast carcinomas were confirmed to be positive by HER2 fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). There were 241 HER2 IHC score = 2+ breast carcinomas included. Most (74.3%) carcinomas were estrogen and progesterone receptor-positive. Invasive breast carcinoma of no special type (89.2%) was the commonest histologic subtype. Most tumors were grade 2 (64.3%). As per the FISH report, at the time of diagnosis, 27 cases (11.2%) were HER2 FISH positive. All HER2 FISH equivocal cases and one FISH positive case assessed using the 2013 ASCO/CAP HER2 criteria were reclassified to HER2 FISH negative when the 2018 criteria were applied. There was a high level of agreement (κ = 0.979) between HER2 FISH results obtained using the 2013 and the 2018 criteria. This study provides insight into the frequency of HER2 FISH positivity (11.2%) among HER2 IHC score = 2+ breast carcinomas and the impact of modifications to the ASCO/CAP HER2 guidelines. Elimination of the HER2 FISH equivocal category by the 2018 guidelines has reduced the need for repeat testing and simplified clinical management. Reclassification of previous HER2 FISH positive to negative has resulted in some patients being ineligible for costly anti-HER therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reena Dhansukh Mohanlal
- Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital Histopathology Laboratory, National Health Laboratory Services and Department of Anatomical Pathology, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand
| | - Nikki Bouwer
- National Health Laboratory Services, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand
| | - Pascale Willem
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Hematology, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg and the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Li Y, Tsang JY, Tam F, Loong T, Tse GM. Comprehensive characterization of HER2-low breast cancers: implications in prognosis and treatment. EBioMedicine 2023; 91:104571. [PMID: 37068349 PMCID: PMC10130469 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HER2-low cancers are heterogeneous with different degrees of HER2 expression and hormone receptor (HR) status. Currently, its analysis is mostly focused on the standard clinic-pathologic features or common biomarkers expression, without considering the heterogeneity within the category. A further characterization and understanding of this cancer subgroup will facilitate its management. METHODS A large cohort of HER2-negative cancers (N = 1464) was included. The HER2-low (N = 412) and HER2-zero cancers (N = 1052) were compared and correlated with a comprehensive panel of clinico-pathologic features and biomarker expression according to different HER2 expressions and HR statuses. The prognostic values of these features in HER2-low cancers were also evaluated. FINDINGS The characteristics of HER2-low breast cancers, as compared to HER2-zero, varied with the HR status. HER2-low luminal cancers were associated with younger age, larger tumor, high pAKT and high HLA expression. Among TNBCs, opposite trends in age and tumor size were found. Additionally, HER2-low TNBC showed less necrosis, higher pN, lower c-kit and CK14 than HER2-zero cancers. Nonetheless, regardless of HR status, HER2-low status was associated with increased COX2 and AR expression, implicated in the biology of HER2-low cancers. HER2-low cancers showed high expression of HLAs in tumors and PD-L1 in immune cells. In particular, the co-expression of HLAs was found to be associated with better survival in HER2-low cancers. INTERPRETATION This study revealed further characteristic of HER2-low breast cancers as compared to HER2-zero cancers, provided further insights into its prognostication and therapeutic strategies. FUNDING Health and Medical Research Fund (08190586), Cheng Yue Pui Charity Foundation and CUHK direct grant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyang Li
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350000, China; Department of Pathology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350000, China
| | - Julia Y Tsang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Fiona Tam
- Department of Pathology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - Thomson Loong
- Department of Pathology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - Gary M Tse
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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Li JJX, Tse GM. Marker assessments in ER-positive breast cancers: old markers, new applications? Histopathology 2023; 82:218-231. [PMID: 35945680 DOI: 10.1111/his.14767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Evaluation of oestrogen receptor (ER) expression by immunostaining is essential in the pathological assessment of breast cancer. Its expression is intercorrelated with clinicopathological features, molecular typing, and treatment selection. The development of novel therapeutic agents related to ER status, the recent ASCO introduction of an ER-low positive category of breast cancers, and the ever-increasing plethora of diagnostic and theragnostic markers call for a timely update. In this article we aim to review the clinicopathological features of ER-positive breast cancers, with an emphasis on ER-low positive breast cancers, and a focus on updating the (i) assessment, reporting and interpretation of ER immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, (ii) correlations of ER status with other diagnostic and theragnostic markers, and (iii) implications for treatment selection and response. In the face of the developments in IHC and molecular techniques and targeted therapy, ER immunostaining is still expected to remain as the core component of prognostic and theragnostic assessment of breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua J X Li
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Gary M Tse
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
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