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Afzal MZ, Vahdat LT. Evolving Management of Breast Cancer in the Era of Predictive Biomarkers and Precision Medicine. J Pers Med 2024; 14:719. [PMID: 39063972 PMCID: PMC11278458 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14070719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the world as well as in the United States. Molecular and histological differentiation have helped clinicians optimize treatments with various therapeutics, including hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy. Recently, immunotherapy has become the standard of care in locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer and an option across molecular subtypes for tumors with a high tumor mutation burden. Despite the advancements in personalized medicine directing the management of localized and advanced breast cancers, the emergence of resistance to these therapies is the leading cause of death among breast cancer patients. Therefore, there is a critical need to identify and validate predictive biomarkers to direct treatment selection, identify potential responders, and detect emerging resistance to standard therapies. Areas of active scientific and clinical research include novel personalized and predictive biomarkers incorporating tumor microenvironment, tumor immune profiling, molecular characterization, and histopathological differentiation to predict response and the potential emergence of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Zubair Afzal
- Medical Oncology, Comprehensive Breast Program, Dartmouth Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH 03755, USA
| | - Linda T. Vahdat
- Medical Oncology and Hematology (Interim), Dartmouth Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH 03755, USA;
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Shastry M, Hamilton E. Novel Estrogen Receptor-Targeted Agents for Breast Cancer. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2023; 24:821-844. [PMID: 37129836 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-023-01079-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT It has become clear that patients whose cancers have progressed post-CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy (CDK4/6i) are not deriving the same magnitude of benefit to subsequent standard endocrine therapy as historical studies would suggest. For example, anticipated duration of benefit to fulvestrant prior to CDK4/6i historically was ~ 5-6 months, and data from the VERONICA and EMERALD trials report less than 2 months. This has magnified our need for novel endocrine agents. Some have argued that patients post-CDK4/6i may just have more endocrine-resistant tumors and perhaps should just receive chemotherapy. While this may be appropriate for some, we do not currently have an assay that reliably predicts whose cancers remain endocrine sensitive and whose are endocrine resistant. ESR1 mutations can enrich for patients whose tumors are more likely to be heavily dependent on estrogen, but this is certainly not the whole answer and many patients without ESR1 mutations continue to derive benefit from subsequent endocrine agents. Most patients would strongly prefer the side effect profile of endocrine agents compared to chemotherapy, and thus, premature use of cytotoxic agents when subsequent ER targeting can control disease is not preferred. These novel ER targeting agents (PROTAC, SERD, SERCA, CERAN) hold great promise to not only outperform standard agents like fulvestrant, but also offer the promise of agents with a different side effect profile that may be more advantageous when compared to menopausal symptoms, hot flashes, arthralgias, and sexual side effects so commonly seen with AIs. We also are likely to see these novel agents move to earlier lines, whether that be 1st line in combination with CDK4/6i or even adjuvant disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erika Hamilton
- Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Tennessee Oncology, 335 24th Ave North, Suite 300, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA.
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Rej RK, Thomas JE, Acharyya RK, Rae JM, Wang S. Targeting the Estrogen Receptor for the Treatment of Breast Cancer: Recent Advances and Challenges. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37377342 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is a well-established therapeutic target for the treatment of ER-positive (ER+) breast cancers. Despite the tremendous successes achieved with tamoxifen, a selective ER modulator, and aromatase inhibitors (AIs), resistance to these therapies is a major clinical problem. Therefore, induced protein degradation and covalent inhibition have been pursued as new therapeutic approaches to target ERα. This Perspective summarizes recent progress in the discovery and development of oral selective ER degraders (SERDs), complete estrogen receptor antagonists (CERANs), selective estrogen receptor covalent antagonists (SERCAs), and proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) ER degraders. We focus on those compounds which have been advanced into clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Kalyan Rej
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Junius Eugene Thomas
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Ranjan Kumar Acharyya
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - James Michael Rae
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Shaomeng Wang
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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Patel R, Klein P, Tiersten A, Sparano JA. An emerging generation of endocrine therapies in breast cancer: a clinical perspective. NPJ Breast Cancer 2023; 9:20. [PMID: 37019913 PMCID: PMC10076370 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-023-00523-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-estrogen therapy is a key component of the treatment of both early and advanced-stage hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer. This review discusses the recent emergence of several anti-estrogen therapies, some of which were designed to overcome common mechanisms of endocrine resistance. The new generation of drugs includes selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), orally administered selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs), as well as more unique agents such as complete estrogen receptor antagonists (CERANs), proteolysis targeting chimeric (PROTACs), and selective estrogen receptor covalent antagonists (SERCAs). These drugs are at various stages of development and are being evaluated in both early and metastatic settings. We discuss the efficacy, toxicity profile, and completed and ongoing clinical trials for each drug and highlight key differences in their activity and study population that have ultimately influenced their advancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima Patel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Paula Klein
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amy Tiersten
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph A Sparano
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA
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Downton T, Zhou F, Segara D, Jeselsohn R, Lim E. Oral Selective Estrogen Receptor Degraders (SERDs) in Breast Cancer: Advances, Challenges, and Current Status. Drug Des Devel Ther 2022; 16:2933-2948. [PMID: 36081610 PMCID: PMC9447452 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s380925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Several endocrine therapies are currently available for the treatment of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer, but the clinical benefit of these agents is limited by endocrine therapy drug resistance. A common mechanism of endocrine therapy resistance is ESR1 mutations. The first-generation selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) fulvestrant has activity against ESR1 mutant tumors but requires intramuscular injection and has poor bioavailability that precludes optimal drug dosing. This led to the development of second-generation SERDs which are potent and have improved oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetics. Several of these oral SERDs are now in phase III trials in both the early and advanced ER positive breast cancer settings. This review summarizes the background of oral SERD development, the current status and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teesha Downton
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent’s Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Fiona Zhou
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent’s Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Davendra Segara
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Elgene Lim
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent’s Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Correspondence: Elgene Lim, Tel +61 2 9355 5600, Fax +61 2 9355 5602, Email
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