Preliminary Clinical Validation of a Filtration-Based CTC Assay for Tumor Burden and HER2 Status Monitoring in Metastatic Breast Cancer

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Xiuwen Wang ◽  
Chao Han ◽  
Jizhen Liang ◽  
Jiqun Yi ◽  
Zhaojun Pan ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Bearing multidimensional tumor-relevant information ranging from genomic alterations to proteomic makeup, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) constitute a promising material for liquid biopsy. The clinical validity of CTCs has been most extensively studied in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The Cellsearch assay is currently the most widely used, while alternative strategies are pursued. A filtration-based microfluidic device has been described for CTC enrichment, but its clinical relevance remains unknown. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In this preliminary study, we prospectively enrolled 47 MBC patients and evaluated the performance of the abovementioned CTC assay for tumor burden monitoring and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status determination. <b><i>Results:</i></b> At baseline, 51.1% patients (24/47) were CTC positive. CTC count and positivity were also significantly higher in samples that accompanied poorer radiographic response evaluations. Serial blood draws suggested that CTC count enabled more accurate monitoring of tumor burden than serum markers carcinoembryonic antigen and cancer antigen 15-3. Also, in contrast to previous reports, CTC-HER2 status was moderately consistent with tumor-HER2 status. CTC-HER2 status assessment was further supported by <i>HER2</i> copy number measurements in select samples. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The preliminary results from this study suggest promise for the interrogated CDC assay in several aspects, including sensitive CTC detection, accurate disease status reflection, and HER2 status determination. More studies are warranted to validate these findings and further characterize the value of CTC assay.

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6097-6097
Author(s):  
P. Scullin ◽  
A. T. Drake ◽  
V. M. Coyle ◽  
J. J. McAleer

6097 Background: Clinical trials have clearly established that patients receiving taxane-based chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) should be treated with trastuzumab if their tumour is shown to overexpress the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptor. This is based on median survival gains for patients with HER2 positive tumours treated with trastuzumab plus taxane chemotherapy compared to taxane alone. Methods: Patients commencing chemotherapy for MBC in Northern Ireland in 2004 were identified from pharmacy records. Their case notes were retrospectively reviewed to determine whether patients in routine clinical practice had HER2 testing and trastuzumab treatment if indicated. Results: One hundred and fifty six patients commenced chemotherapy, of whom 145(93%) had HER2 testing. In 69(44%) patients the HER2 result was already available at the time of this relapse. In the remaining 76(49%) patients the result became available in a median of 41.5 (range 0–368) days. Of those tested, 48 patients (33%) were HER2 positive (immuno-histochemistry 3+ or fluorescence in situ hybridization positive). Thirty eight of these patients were treated with trastuzumab, either as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy. There were valid reasons for trastuzumab omission in 7 of 10 patients not given trastuzumab (4 given first line anthracycline-based regimen, 1 had cardiac dysfunction, 1 had extensive lung metastastes and 1 was unfit for treatment). The data were examined for variations in chemotherapy and trastuzumab use across the 4 health boards which comprise the region. The number of patients commencing chemotherapy ranged from 6.9 to 11.4 patients per 100,000 population indicating a significantly different utilisation (p<0.001). Conclusions: In our region 145 of 156 patients who received chemotherapy for MBC were tested for overexpression of the HER2 receptor (93%). Of those patients who were eligible to receive trastuzumab 31 out of 34 (91%) received trastuzumab. There were inequalities in the region regarding chemotherapy for MBC and the time required to obtain a HER2 result averaged 41.5 days. Testing of HER2 status at time of original diagnosis would streamline management of metastatic disease. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2017 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelie De Gregorio ◽  
Thomas W.P. Friedl ◽  
Jens Huober ◽  
Christoph Scholz ◽  
Nikolaus De Gregorio ◽  
...  

Purpose Discordance in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status between primary tumor and metastases might have important implications for treatment response and therapy decisions. Here, we evaluate both the frequency of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and the factors predicting HER2 discordance between primary tumor and CTCs as a potential surrogate for tumor biology and tumor heterogeneity in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Patients and Methods The number of CTCs in 7.5 mL of peripheral blood and HER2 status were evaluated in 1,123 women with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. HER2 discordance was defined as the presence of at least one CTC with a strong immunocytochemical HER2 staining intensity. Factors predicting discordance in HER2 phenotype were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Results Overall, 711 (63.3%) of 1,123 screened patients were positive for CTCs (≥ one CTC). Discordance in HER2 phenotype between primary tumor and CTCs was observed in 134 patients (18.8%) and was significantly associated with histologic type (lobular v ductal; odds ratio [OR], 2.67; 95% CI, 1.63 to 4.39; P < .001), hormone receptor status (positive v negative; OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.15 to 7.02; P = .024), and CTC number (≥ five v one to four; OR, 7.64; 95% CI, 3.97 to 14.72; P < .001). Conclusion HER2 discordance between primary tumor and CTCs was observed in 18.8% of patients and was associated with histologic type, hormone receptor status of the primary tumor, and CTC number. The clinical utility of CTCs as liquid biopsy to assess tumor heterogeneity of metastatic disease and guide treatment decisions must be evaluated in prospective randomized trials.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (33) ◽  
pp. 5552-5558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard S. Finn ◽  
Robert Gagnon ◽  
Angelo Di Leo ◽  
Michael F. Press ◽  
Michael Arbushites ◽  
...  

PurposeThe HER2 extracellular domain (ECD) is enzymatically cleaved from the cell membrane. Shed ECD in serum has been studied as both prognostic and predictive markers. Lapatinib is a dual inhibitor of HER2 and epidermal growth factor receptor kinases. We examined the prognostic and predictive role of HER2 ECD in a randomized trial of paclitaxel with placebo or lapatinib in women with HER2-negative or -unknown breast cancer.Patients and MethodsPatients (n = 579) with newly diagnosed metastatic breast cancer (MBC) were randomly assigned to paclitaxel with placebo or lapatinib. HER2 status was determined centrally. ECD was centrally measured by enzyme linked immunoassay in available samples at baseline (b; n = 472), week 9, and every 12 weeks thereafter. Results were correlated to overall response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS).ResultsElevated baseline ECD (bECD) levels (≥ 16 ng/mL) did not predict HER2 tumor status (sensitivity, 62%; specificity, 75%). In HER2-negative tumors, elevated bECD was not correlated with improved efficacy for lapatinib plus paclitaxel versus placebo plus paclitaxel (ORR: odds ratio, 1.6; 95% CI, 0.1 to 3.8; P = .365; PFS: hazard ratio, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.60 to 1.47; P = .797). ECD levels tended to decrease over time when bECD was elevated. ECD conversion from low to high was associated with worse PFS. Converting from high to low was associated with a better PFS. A consistently low ECD level had better PFS than a consistently elevated ECD. All associations were found to be independent of lapatinib.ConclusionHER2 bECD does not predict lapatinib benefit in patients with HER2-negative MBC. Changes in ECD status correlates with patient outcome regardless of treatment given. Measuring HER2 ECD is not currently recommended for predicting benefit to lapatinib.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Grinda ◽  
Natacha Joyon ◽  
Amélie Lusque ◽  
Sarah Lefèvre ◽  
Laurent Arnould ◽  
...  

AbstractExpression of hormone receptor (HR) for estrogens (ER) and progesterone (PR) and HER2 remains the cornerstone to define the therapeutic strategy for breast cancer patients. We aimed to compare phenotypic profiles between matched primary and metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in the ESME database, a National real-life multicenter cohort of MBC patients. Patients with results available on both primary tumour and metastatic disease within 6 months of MBC diagnosis and before any tumour progression were eligible for the main analysis. Among the 16,703 patients included in the database, 1677 (10.0%) had available biopsy results at MBC diagnosis and on matched primary tumour. The change rate of either HR or HER2 was 27.0%. Global HR status changed (from positive = either ER or PR positive, to negative = both negative; and reverse) in 14.2% of the cases (expression loss in 72.5% and gain in 27.5%). HER2 status changed in 7.8% (amplification loss in 45.2%). The discordance rate appeared similar across different biopsy sites. Metastasis to bone, HER2+ and RH+/HER2- subtypes and previous adjuvant endocrine therapy, but not relapse interval were associated with an HR discordance in multivariable analysis. Loss of HR status was significantly associated with a risk of death (HR adjusted = 1.51, p = 0.002) while gain of HR and HER2 discordance was not. In conclusion, discordance of HR and HER2 expression between primary and metastatic breast cancer cannot be neglected. In addition, HR loss is associated with worse survival. Sampling metastatic sites is essential for treatment adjustment.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 587-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eitan Amir ◽  
Naomi Miller ◽  
William Geddie ◽  
Orit Freedman ◽  
Farrah Kassam ◽  
...  

Purpose Decisions about treatment for women with metastatic breast cancer are usually based on the estrogen (ER), progesterone (PgR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status of the primary tumor. Retrospective data suggest that discordance between primary and metastatic lesions leads to detrimental outcome. This prospective study investigated receptor status of primary tumors and metastases in the same patient and assessed the impact of discordance on patient management and survival. Patients and Methods Biopsies of suspected metastases were analyzed for ER, PgR, and HER2. Primary tumors and metastases were analyzed using similar methodology. The treating oncologist indicated a treatment plan before and after biopsy to determine whether the result influenced management. Patients were followed up for progression or death. Results Of 121 women undergoing biopsy, 80% could be analyzed for receptor status. Discordance in ER, PgR, and HER2 between the primary and the metastasis was 16%, 40%, and 10%, respectively. Biopsy led to a reported change of management in 14% of women (95% CI, 8.4% to 21.5%). Fine-needle aspiration and biopsy of bone led to reduced ability to analyze receptors. After a median follow-up of 12 months, there were no trends for an association between receptor discordance and either time to treatment failure or overall survival. Conclusion Biopsy of metastases is technically feasible. Clinicians alter immediate management in one of seven patients on the basis of results of the biopsy, and discordance is not then associated with detrimental effects on outcome. Tissue confirmation should be considered in women with breast cancer and suspected metastatic recurrence.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Slavomir Krajnak ◽  
Marco J. Battista ◽  
Annette Hasenburg ◽  
Marcus Schmidt

Background: As disease control and quality of life play a leading role in metastatic breast cancer (MBC), metronomic chemotherapy (MCT) is gaining popularity alongside conventional chemotherapy (CCT) and targeted therapies. Summary: MCT, defined as continuous administration of low-dose chemotherapeutic agents, is accepted as a therapy that exerts its effects via immunomodulation, anti-angiogenesis and direct cytotoxic effects. Oral administration of MCT is safe, easy to handle, and allows for flexible drug dosing. Dose accumulations associated with non-tolerable side effects are rare, so the medication can be administered for longer periods of time. Patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic disease resistant to endocrine-based therapy and not requiring rapid tumor response are generally suitable for MCT. However, MCT may also be promising in patients with triple-negative and HER2-positive tumors without aggressive disease who prefer a lower toxicity profile compared to CCT. The most commonly used agents are cyclophosphamide (CTX), methotrexate (MTX), capecitabine (CAPE), and vinorelbine (VRL), whereby a combination of agents is frequently applied. Key Messages: Based on the growing body of evidence, MCT can be considered as a suitable treatment option in selected MBC patients. Nevertheless, there is an urgent need for randomized controlled trials comparing MCT with CCT, but also with best supportive care. Due to the multimodal mechanisms of action, the combination with targeted and immunological therapies may represent a new promising approach for the treatment of MBC.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Young Hoon Noh ◽  
Yun Gyoung Kim ◽  
Ji Hyun Kim ◽  
Hyang Suk Choi ◽  
Seok Joon Lee ◽  
...  

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