1
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Cai A, Chen Y, Wang LS, Cusick JK, Shi Y. Depicting Biomarkers for HER2-Inhibitor Resistance: Implication for Therapy in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2635. [PMID: 39123362 PMCID: PMC11311605 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16152635] [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: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is highly expressed in a variety of cancers, including breast, lung, gastric, and pancreatic cancers. Its amplification is linked to poor clinical outcomes. At the genetic level, HER2 is encoded by the ERBB2 gene (v-erb-b2 avian erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2), which is frequently mutated or amplified in cancers, thus spurring extensive research into HER2 modulation and inhibition as viable anti-cancer strategies. An impressive body of FDA-approved drugs, including anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and HER2-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), have demonstrated success in enhancing overall survival (OS) and disease progression-free survival (PFS). Yet, drug resistance remains a persistent challenge and raises the risks of metastatic potential and tumor relapse. Research into alternative therapeutic options for HER2+ breast cancer therefore proves critical for adapting to this ever-evolving landscape. This review highlights current HER2-targeted therapies, discusses predictive biomarkers for drug resistance, and introduces promising emergent therapies-especially combination therapies-that are aimed at overcoming drug resistance in the context of HER2+ breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvan Cai
- College of Medicine, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (A.C.); (J.K.C.)
| | - Yuan Chen
- Section Pathology of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany;
| | - Lily S. Wang
- University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA;
| | - John K. Cusick
- College of Medicine, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (A.C.); (J.K.C.)
| | - Yihui Shi
- College of Medicine, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (A.C.); (J.K.C.)
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, Sutter Bay Hospitals, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
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2
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Nucera S, Conti C, Martorana F, Wilson B, Genta S. Antibody-Drug Conjugates to Promote Immune Surveillance: Lessons Learned from Breast Cancer. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1491. [PMID: 39062065 PMCID: PMC11274676 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071491] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent an effective class of agents for the treatment of several tumor types, including breast cancer (BC), featuring approved molecules such as trastuzumab-emtansine, trastuzumab-deruxtecan, and sacituzumab-govitecan. Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) also showed activity in selected BC subtypes, and two agents, pembrolizumab and atezolizumab, are currently approved for the treatment of triple-negative BC patients. The potential synergy between ADCs and immunotherapy in BC remains an area of active investigation. Preclinical studies suggest that ADCs promote immune surveillance, modulating tumor microenvironment, inducing immunogenic cell death, and enhancing antitumor immunity. Translational evidence has shown potential predictive biomarkers for ADCs alone or in combination with immunotherapy, including expression of target antigen, oncogenic pathways, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. Given this background, several clinical trials evaluated ADC-ICI combinations in BC patients, demonstrating promising outcomes with an overall manageable toxicity profile, and many studies are currently ongoing to confirm the efficacy and feasibility of this therapeutic approach. In the present review, we summarized the available evidence about the integration of ADCs and immunotherapy for the management of BC, emphasizing the need for further translational and clinical investigations to optimize this treatment strategy and elucidate predictive biomarkers, eventually improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Nucera
- Department of Human Pathology “G. Barresi”, University of Messina, 98131 Messina, Italy; (S.N.); (C.C.)
| | - Chiara Conti
- Department of Human Pathology “G. Barresi”, University of Messina, 98131 Messina, Italy; (S.N.); (C.C.)
| | - Federica Martorana
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
- University Oncology Unit, Humanitas Istituto Clinico Catanese, 95045 Misterbianco, Italy
| | - Brooke Wilson
- Department of Oncology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada;
- Division of Cancer Care and Epidemiology, Queen’s Cancer Research Institute, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Sofia Genta
- Department of Oncology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada;
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3
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Koukoutzeli C, Trapani D, Ascione L, Kotteas E, Marra A, Criscitiello C, Curigliano G. Use of Antibody-Drug Conjugates in the Early Setting of Breast Cancer. Clin Med Insights Oncol 2024; 18:11795549241260418. [PMID: 38894701 PMCID: PMC11185006 DOI: 10.1177/11795549241260418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are anticancer agents with the capacity to selectively deliver their payloads to cancer cells. Antibody-drug conjugates consist of a monoclonal antibody backbone connected by a linker to cytotoxic payloads. Antibody-drug conjugate effect occurs either by directly targeting cancer cells via membrane antigen or through "bystander effect." Antibody-drug conjugates have demonstrated efficacy against various types of tumors, including breast cancer. Ado-trastuzumab emtansine is presently the only approved ADC for the treatment of breast cancer in the early setting, while several ADCs are now approved for metastatic breast cancer. Due to the transformative impact that several ADCs have reported in the setting of advanced breast cancer, researchers are now testing more of such compounds in the early setting, to portend benefits to patients through highly potent anticancer drugs. Ongoing trials hold the potential to transform treatment protocols for early breast cancer in the near future. These trials are aiming at evaluating different treatment modulation approaches, as informed by breast cancer risk of recurrence, including toward treatment de-escalation. Efforts are provided in ongoing clinical trials to identify the patients who will benefit most, to pursue paradigms of precision medicine with the novel ADCs. This review focuses on the potential role of ADCs in early breast cancer, providing an overview of the latest progress in their development and how they are implemented in ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysanthi Koukoutzeli
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Dario Trapani
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology (DIPO), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Liliana Ascione
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology (DIPO), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elias Kotteas
- Oncology Unit, 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Sotiria General Hospital and Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonio Marra
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Carmen Criscitiello
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology (DIPO), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Curigliano
- Division of New Drugs and Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology (DIPO), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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4
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Saleh K, Khoury R, Khalife N, Chahine C, Ibrahim R, Tikriti Z, Le Cesne A. Mechanisms of action and resistance to anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugates in breast cancer. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2024; 7:22. [PMID: 39050884 PMCID: PMC11267152 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2024.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC) represents nearly 20% of all breast tumors. Historically, these patients had a high rate of relapse and dismal prognosis. The advent of HER2-targeting monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab followed by pertuzumab had improved the prognosis of HER2-positive metastatic BC. More recently, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are now reshaping the treatment paradigm of solid tumors, especially breast cancer. Tratsuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) was one of the first ADC developed in oncology and was approved for the management of HER2-positive metastatic BC. In a head-to-head comparison, trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) defeated T-DM1 as a second-line treatment. The efficacy of ADCs is counterbalanced by the appearance of acquired resistance to these agents. In this paper, we summarize the mechanisms of action and resistance of T-DM1 and T-DXd, as well as their clinical efficacy. Additionally, we also discuss potential strategies for addressing resistance to ADC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalil Saleh
- International Department, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif 94800, France
| | - Rita Khoury
- International Department, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif 94800, France
| | - Nadine Khalife
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif 94800, France
| | - Claude Chahine
- International Department, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif 94800, France
| | - Rebecca Ibrahim
- International Department, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif 94800, France
| | - Zamzam Tikriti
- International Department, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif 94800, France
| | - Axel Le Cesne
- International Department, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif 94800, France
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5
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Liang Y, Zhang P, Li F, Lai H, Qi T, Wang Y. Advances in the study of marketed antibody-drug Conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of breast cancer. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1332539. [PMID: 38352694 PMCID: PMC10862125 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1332539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer continues to have a high incidence rate among female malignancies. Despite significant advancements in treatment modalities, the heterogeneous nature of breast cancer and its resistance to various therapeutic approaches pose considerable challenges. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) effectively merge the specificity of antibodies with the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents, offering a novel strategy for precision treatment of breast cancer. Notably, trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) has provided a new therapeutic option for HER2-positive breast cancer patients globally, especially those resistant to conventional treatments. The development of trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) and sacituzumab govitecan (SG) has further broadened the applicability of ADCs in breast cancer therapy, presenting new hopes for patients with low HER2 expression and triple-negative breast cancer. However, the application of ADCs presents certain challenges. For instance, their treatment may lead to adverse reactions such as interstitial lung disease, thrombocytopenia, and diarrhea. Moreover, prolonged treatment could result in ADCs resistance, complicating the therapeutic process. Economically, the high costs of ADCs might hinder their accessibility in low-income regions. This article reviews the structure, mechanism of action, and clinical trials of commercially available ADCs for breast cancer treatment, with a focus on the clinical trials of the three drugs, aiming to provide insights for clinical applications and future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liang
- Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Cancer Hospital Affiliate University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, China
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, China
| | - Purong Zhang
- Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Cancer Hospital Affiliate University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, China
| | - Feng Li
- Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Cancer Hospital Affiliate University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, China
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, China
| | - Houyun Lai
- Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Cancer Hospital Affiliate University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, China
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, China
| | - Tingting Qi
- Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Cancer Hospital Affiliate University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, China
| | - Yixin Wang
- Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Cancer Hospital Affiliate University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, China
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6
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Sposito M, Belluomini L, Pontolillo L, Tregnago D, Trestini I, Insolda J, Avancini A, Milella M, Bria E, Carbognin L, Pilotto S. Adjuvant Targeted Therapy in Solid Cancers: Pioneers and New Glories. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1427. [PMID: 37888038 PMCID: PMC10608226 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13101427] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapy (TT) has revolutionized cancer treatment, successfully applied in various settings. Adjuvant TT in resected early-stage gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and breast cancer has led to practice-changing achievements. In particular, standard treatments include BRAF inhibitors for melanoma, osimertinib for NSCLC, hormone therapy or HER2 TT for breast cancer, and imatinib for GIST. Despite the undeniable benefit derived from adjuvant TT, the optimal duration of TT and the appropriate managing of the relapse remain open questions. Furthermore, neoadjuvant TT is emerging as valuable, particularly in breast cancer, and ongoing studies evaluate TT in the perioperative setting for early-stage NSCLC. In this review, we aim to collect and describe the large amount of data available in the literature about adjuvant TT across different histologies, focusing on epidemiology, major advances, and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Sposito
- Section of Innovation Biomedicine—Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (M.S.); (L.B.); (D.T.); (I.T.); (J.I.); (A.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Lorenzo Belluomini
- Section of Innovation Biomedicine—Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (M.S.); (L.B.); (D.T.); (I.T.); (J.I.); (A.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Letizia Pontolillo
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (L.P.); (E.B.)
- Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Daniela Tregnago
- Section of Innovation Biomedicine—Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (M.S.); (L.B.); (D.T.); (I.T.); (J.I.); (A.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Ilaria Trestini
- Section of Innovation Biomedicine—Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (M.S.); (L.B.); (D.T.); (I.T.); (J.I.); (A.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Jessica Insolda
- Section of Innovation Biomedicine—Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (M.S.); (L.B.); (D.T.); (I.T.); (J.I.); (A.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Alice Avancini
- Section of Innovation Biomedicine—Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (M.S.); (L.B.); (D.T.); (I.T.); (J.I.); (A.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Michele Milella
- Section of Innovation Biomedicine—Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (M.S.); (L.B.); (D.T.); (I.T.); (J.I.); (A.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Emilio Bria
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (L.P.); (E.B.)
- Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Luisa Carbognin
- Gynecology Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, 00168 Roma, Italy;
| | - Sara Pilotto
- Section of Innovation Biomedicine—Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (M.S.); (L.B.); (D.T.); (I.T.); (J.I.); (A.A.); (M.M.)
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7
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Giffoni de Mello Morais Mata D, Chehade R, Hannouf MB, Raphael J, Blanchette P, Al-Humiqani A, Ray M. Appraisal of Systemic Treatment Strategies in Early HER2-Positive Breast Cancer-A Literature Review. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4336. [PMID: 37686612 PMCID: PMC10486709 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174336] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2+) accounts for 15-20% of all breast cancer phenotypes. Even after the completion of the standard combination of chemotherapy and trastuzumab, relapse events occur in approximately 15% of cases. The neoadjuvant approach has multiple benefits that include the potential to downgrade staging and convert previously unresectable tumors to operable tumors. In addition, achieving a pathologic complete response (pCR) following preoperative systemic treatment is prognostic of enhanced survival outcomes. Thus, optimal evaluation among the suitable strategies is crucial in deciding which patients should be selected for the neoadjuvant approach. METHODS A literature search was conducted in the Embase, Medline, and Cochrane electronic libraries. CONCLUSION The evaluation of tumor and LN staging and, hence, stratifying BC recurrence risk are decisive factors in guiding clinicians to optimize treatment decisions between the neoadjuvant versus adjuvant approaches. For each individual case, it is important to consider the most likely postsurgical outcome, since, if the patient does not obtain pCR following neoadjuvant treatment, they are eligible for adjuvant T-DM1 in the case of residual disease. This review of HER2-positive female BC outlines suitable neoadjuvant and adjuvant systemic treatment strategies for guiding clinical decision making around the selection of an appropriate therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Giffoni de Mello Morais Mata
- Division of Medical Oncology, London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada; (J.R.); (P.B.)
| | - Rania Chehade
- Division of Medical Oncology, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada; (R.C.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Malek B. Hannouf
- Department of Internal Medicine, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada;
| | - Jacques Raphael
- Division of Medical Oncology, London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada; (J.R.); (P.B.)
| | - Phillip Blanchette
- Division of Medical Oncology, London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada; (J.R.); (P.B.)
| | - Abdullah Al-Humiqani
- Division of Medical Oncology, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada; (R.C.); (A.A.-H.)
| | - Monali Ray
- Division of Medical Oncology, Markham Stouffville Hospital, Markham, ON L3P 7P3, Canada;
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8
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Yang T, Li W, Huang T, Zhou J. Antibody-Drug Conjugates for Breast Cancer Treatment: Emerging Agents, Targets and Future Directions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11903. [PMID: 37569276 PMCID: PMC10418918 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
To achieve the scheme of "magic bullets" in antitumor therapy, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) were developed. ADCs consist of antibodies targeting tumor-specific antigens, chemical linkers, and cytotoxic payloads that powerfully kill cancer cells. With the approval of ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) and fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), the therapeutic potentials of ADCs in breast cancer have come into the spotlight. Nearly 30 ADCs for breast cancer are under exploration to move targeted therapy forward. In this review, we summarize the presenting and emerging agents and targets of ADCs. The ADC structure and development history are also concluded. Moreover, the challenges faced and prospected future directions in this field are reviewed, which give insights into novel treatments with ADCs for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tao Huang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
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9
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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: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [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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10
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Dowling GP, Keelan S, Toomey S, Daly GR, Hennessy BT, Hill ADK. Review of the status of neoadjuvant therapy in HER2-positive breast cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1066007. [PMID: 36793602 PMCID: PMC9923093 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1066007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The development of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-directed therapies has revolutionized the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. The aim of this article is to review the continually evolving treatment strategies in the neoadjuvant setting of HER2-positive breast cancer, as well as the current challenges and future perspectives. Methods Searches were undertaken on PubMed and Clinicaltrials.gov for relevant publications and trials. Findings The current standard of care in high-risk HER2-positive breast cancer is to combine chemotherapy with dual anti-HER2 therapy, for a synergistic anti-tumor effect. We discuss the pivotal trials which led to the adoption of this approach, as well as the benefit of these neoadjuvant strategies for guiding appropriate adjuvant therapy. De-escalation strategies are currently being investigated to avoid over treatment, and aim to safely reduce chemotherapy, while optimizing HER2-targeted therapies. The development and validation of a reliable biomarker is essential to enable these de-escalation strategies and personalization of treatment. In addition, promising novel therapies are currently being explored to further improve outcomes in HER2-positive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin P Dowling
- Medical Oncology Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,The Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,The Department of Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stephen Keelan
- The Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,The Department of Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sinead Toomey
- Medical Oncology Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gordon R Daly
- The Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,The Department of Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Bryan T Hennessy
- Medical Oncology Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Arnold D K Hill
- The Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,The Department of Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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