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Morrison L, Loibl S, Turner NC. The CDK4/6 inhibitor revolution - a game-changing era for breast cancer treatment. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:89-105. [PMID: 38082107 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00840-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibition in combination with endocrine therapy is the standard-of-care treatment for patients with advanced-stage hormone receptor-positive, HER2 non-amplified (HR+HER2-) breast cancer. These agents can also be administered as adjuvant therapy to patients with higher-risk early stage disease. Nonetheless, the clinical success of these agents has created several challenges, such as how to address acquired resistance, identifying which patients are most likely to benefit from therapy prior to treatment, and understanding the optimal timing of administration and sequencing of these agents. In this Review, we describe the rationale for targeting CDK4/6 in patients with breast cancer, including a summary of updated clinical evidence and how this should inform clinical practice. We also discuss ongoing research efforts that are attempting to address the various challenges created by the widespread implementation of these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Morrison
- Breast Cancer Now Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Breast Unit, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| | - Sibylle Loibl
- German Breast Group, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nicholas C Turner
- Breast Cancer Now Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
- Breast Unit, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK.
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2
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Sakach E, Keskinkilic M, Wood S, Canning M, Kalinsky K. CDK4/6 Inhibition in the Metastatic Setting: Where Are We Headed? Curr Treat Options Oncol 2023; 24:1103-1119. [PMID: 37314645 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-023-01109-9] [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] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Hormone receptor positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER-2-) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is the most common subtype of breast cancer. Due to therapeutic advances with molecularly targeted therapies, the prognosis for patients with metastatic disease has improved significantly. The advent of CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) has changed the treatment paradigm for patients with HR+HER2-MBC. CDK4/6i allowed for marked improvement in overall survival, delaying the time to chemotherapy initiation, and improved quality of life for our patients. Efforts are now focused on the best approach(es) for patients after progression on CDK4/6i. Can we further harness the benefit of CDK4/6i in novel combinations at the time of progression? Should we continue CDK4/6i or proceed other novel agents or endocrine therapies? As we advance our treatment strategies for HR+HER2-MBC, there is no longer a one-size-fits-all model, but instead a multifaceted and personalized approach lending to improved outcomes for our patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Sakach
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| | - Merve Keskinkilic
- Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sarah Wood
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Madison Canning
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Kevin Kalinsky
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
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3
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Morrison L, Okines A. Systemic Therapy for Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Current Treatments and Future Directions. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3801. [PMID: 37568617 PMCID: PMC10417818 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153801] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Until recently, despite its heterogenous biology, metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) was treated as a single entity, with successive lines of palliative chemotherapy being the only systemic option. Significant gene expression studies have demonstrated the diversity of TNBC, but effective differential targeting of the four main (Basal-like 1 and 2, mesenchymal and luminal androgen receptor) molecular sub-types has largely eluded researchers. The introduction of immunotherapy, currently useful only for patients with PD-L1 positive cancers, led to the stratification of first-line therapy using this immunohistochemical biomarker. Germline BRCA gene mutations can also be targeted with PARP inhibitors in both the adjuvant and metastatic settings. In contrast, the benefit of the anti-Trop-2 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) Sacituzumab govitecan (SG) does not appear confined to patients with tumours expressing high levels of Trop-2, leading to its potential utility for any patient with an estrogen receptor (ER)-negative, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer (ABC). Most recently, low levels of HER2 expression, detected in up to 60% of TNBC, predicts benefit from the potent HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), defining an additional treatment option for this sub-group. Regrettably, despite recent advances, the median survival of TNBC continues to lag far behind the approximately 5 years now expected for patients with ER-positive or HER2-positive breast cancers. We review the data supporting immunotherapy, ADCs, and targeted agents in subgroups of patients with TNBC, and current clinical trials that may pave the way to further advances in this challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alicia Okines
- Breast Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6JJ, UK
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Fuentes-Antrás J, Martínez-Rodríguez A, Guevara-Hoyer K, López-Cade I, Lorca V, Pascual A, de Luna A, Ramírez-Ruda C, Swindell J, Flores P, Lluch A, Cescon DW, Pérez-Segura P, Ocaña A, Jones F, Moreno F, García-Barberán V, García-Sáenz JÁ. Real-World Use of Highly Sensitive Liquid Biopsy Monitoring in Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Endocrine Agents after Exposure to Aromatase Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11419. [PMID: 37511178 PMCID: PMC10379453 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine-resistant, hormone receptor-positive, and HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (mBC) is largely governed by acquired mutations in the estrogen receptor, which promote ligand-independent activation, and by truncal alterations in the PI3K signaling pathway, with a broader range of gene alterations occurring with less prevalence. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)-based technologies are progressively permeating the clinical setting. However, their utility for serial monitoring has been hindered by their significant costs, inter-technique variability, and real-world patient heterogeneity. We interrogated a longitudinal collection of 180 plasma samples from 75 HR+/HER2- mBC patients who progressed or relapsed after exposure to aromatase inhibitors and were subsequently treated with endocrine therapy (ET) by means of highly sensitive and affordable digital PCR and SafeSEQ sequencing. Baseline PIK3CA and TP53 mutations were prognostic of a shorter progression-free survival in our population. Mutant PIK3CA was prognostic in the subset of patients receiving fulvestrant monotherapy after progression to a CDK4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i)-containing regimen, and its suppression was predictive in a case of long-term benefit with alpelisib. Mutant ESR1 was prognostic in patients who did not receive concurrent CDK4/6i, an impact influenced by the variant allele frequency, and its early suppression was strongly predictive of efficacy and associated with long-term benefit in the whole cohort. Mutations in ESR1, TP53, and KRAS emerged as putative drivers of acquired resistance. These findings collectively contribute to the characterization of longitudinal ctDNA in real-world cases of HR+/HER2- mBC previously exposed to aromatase inhibitors and support ongoing studies either targeting actionable alterations or leveraging the ultra-sensitive tracking of ctDNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Fuentes-Antrás
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Experimental Therapeutics Unit, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IDISSC and CIBERONC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Kissy Guevara-Hoyer
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Cancer Immunomonitoring and Immune-Mediated Diseases Unit, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Igor López-Cade
- Experimental Therapeutics Unit, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IDISSC and CIBERONC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor Lorca
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Pascual
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alicia de Luna
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Ramírez-Ruda
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jennifer Swindell
- Medical Affairs Division, Sysmex Inostics, Inc., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Paloma Flores
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Lluch
- INCLIVA Research Institute, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - David W Cescon
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5S A18, Canada
| | - Pedro Pérez-Segura
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Ocaña
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Experimental Therapeutics Unit, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IDISSC and CIBERONC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Frederick Jones
- Medical Affairs Division, Sysmex Inostics, Inc., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Fernando Moreno
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - José Ángel García-Sáenz
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Pegram M, Jackisch C, Johnston SRD. Estrogen/HER2 receptor crosstalk in breast cancer: combination therapies to improve outcomes for patients with hormone receptor-positive/HER2-positive breast cancer. NPJ Breast Cancer 2023; 9:45. [PMID: 37258523 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-023-00533-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in 13-22% of breast cancers (BC). Approximately 60-70% of HER2+ BC co-express hormone receptors (HRs). HR/HER2 co-expression modulates response to both anti-HER2-directed and endocrine therapy due to "crosstalk" between the estrogen receptor (ER) and HER2 pathways. Combined HER2/ER blockade may be an effective treatment strategy for patients with HR+/HER2+ BC in the appropriate clinical setting(s). In this review, we provide an overview of crosstalk between the ER and HER2 pathways, summarize data from recently published and ongoing clinical trials, and discuss clinical implications for targeted treatment of HR+/HER2+ BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Pegram
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Christian Jackisch
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Breast Cancer Center, Klinikum Offenbach GmbH, Offenbach, Germany
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Mercogliano MF, Bruni S, Mauro FL, Schillaci R. Emerging Targeted Therapies for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15071987. [PMID: 37046648 PMCID: PMC10093019 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15071987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the leading cause of death. HER2 overexpression is found in approximately 20% of breast cancers and is associated with a poor prognosis and a shorter overall survival. Tratuzumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the HER2 receptor, is the standard of care treatment. However, a third of the patients do not respond to therapy. Given the high rate of resistance, other HER2-targeted strategies have been developed, including monoclonal antibodies such as pertuzumab and margetuximab, trastuzumab-based antibody drug conjugates such as trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) and trastuzumab-deruxtecan (T-DXd), and tyrosine kinase inhibitors like lapatinib and tucatinib, among others. Moreover, T-DXd has proven to be of use in the HER2-low subtype, which suggests that other HER2-targeted therapies could be successful in this recently defined new breast cancer subclassification. When patients progress to multiple strategies, there are several HER2-targeted therapies available; however, treatment options are limited, and the potential combination with other drugs, immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cells, CAR-NK, CAR-M, and vaccines is an interesting and appealing field that is still in development. In this review, we will discuss the highlights and pitfalls of the different HER2-targeted therapies and potential combinations to overcome metastatic disease and resistance to therapy.
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Unlocking the Resistance to Anti-HER2 Treatments in Breast Cancer: The Issue of HER2 Spatial Distribution. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051385. [PMID: 36900178 PMCID: PMC10000152 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately 15% of breast cancers are classified as HER2-positive, with an amplification of the ERBB2 gene and/or an overexpression of the HER2 protein. Up to 30% of HER2-positive breast cancers shows heterogeneity in HER2 expression and different patterns of spatial distribution, i.e., the variability in the distribution and expression of the HER2 protein within a single tumour. Spatial heterogeneity may potentially affect treatment, response, assessment of HER2 status and consequently, may impact on the best treatment strategy. Understanding this feature can help clinicians to predict response to HER2-targeted therapies and patient outcomes, and to fine tune treatment decisions. This review summarizes the available evidence on HER2 heterogeneity and spatial distribution and how this may affect current available treatment choices, exploring possible opportunities for overcoming this issue, such as novel pharmacological agents, belonging to the group of antibody-drug conjugates.
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Marra A, Trapani D, Ferraro E, Curigliano G. Mechanisms of Endocrine Resistance in Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer. Cancer Treat Res 2023; 188:219-235. [PMID: 38175348 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-33602-7_9] [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: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer (BC) accounts for approximately 70% of all breast invasive tumors. Endocrine therapy (ET) represents the standard treatment for HR + BC. Most patients, however, eventually develop resistance to ET, which limits their effectiveness and poses a major challenge for the management of HR + BC. Several mechanisms that contribute to ET resistance have been described. One of the most common mechanisms is the upregulation of alternative signaling pathways that can bypass estrogen dependency, such as activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR as well as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) pathways. Another common mechanism of endocrine resistance is the acquisition of activating mutations of ESR1, which encodes for the estrogen receptor, that lead to structural changes of the receptor, prevent the binding to anti-estrogen drugs and result in constitutive activation of the receptor, even in the absence of estrogens. Epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, can also contribute to ET resistance by altering the expression of genes that are involved in estrogen signaling. Understanding the mechanisms of resistance to ET is crucial for the development of new therapies that can overcome resistance and improve outcomes for patients with HR + BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Marra
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
| | - Dario Trapani
- Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Ferraro
- Breast Cancer Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Giuseppe Curigliano
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Verret B, Bottosso M, Hervais S, Pistilli B. The Molecular Predictive and Prognostic Biomarkers in Metastatic Breast Cancer: The Contribution of Molecular Profiling. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4203. [PMID: 36077738 PMCID: PMC9454488 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The past decade was marked by several important studies deciphering the molecular landscape of metastatic breast cancer. Although the initial goal of these studies was to find driver oncogenic events to explain cancer progression and metastatic spreading, they have also permitted the identification of several molecular alterations associated with treatment response or resistance. Herein, we review validated (PI3KCA, ESR1, MSI, NTRK translocation) and emergent molecular biomarkers (ERBB2, AKT, PTEN, HRR gene, CD274 amplification RB1, NF1, mutational process) in metastatic breast cancer, on the bases of the largest molecular profiling studies. These biomarkers will be classed according the level of evidence and, if possible, the ESCAT (ESMO) classification. Finally, we will provide some perspective on development in clinical practice for the main biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Verret
- Medical Oncology Department, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, 94800 Villejuif, France
- INSERM Unit U981, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, 94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Michele Bottosso
- INSERM Unit U981, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, 94805 Villejuif, France
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Sofia Hervais
- INSERM Unit U981, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, 94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Barbara Pistilli
- Medical Oncology Department, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, 94800 Villejuif, France
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