Search

Pattern of HER2 amplification in the subset of HER2 heterogeneous tumors. Heatmap generated using data from central pathology evaluation of HER2 heterogeneity. The graphic includes patients classified as HER2 heterogeneous depicted in each row. The color code to the right of the heatmap refers to the percentage of HER2 amplified cells per core biopsy tumor area. Core biopsy tumor areas, A, B and C were obtained from core biopsy site 1 and D, E and F from core biopsy site 2.

FISH raw counts

Intratumor heterogeneity is postulated to cause therapeutic resistance. To prospectively assess the impact of HER2 (ERBB2) heterogeneity on response to HER2-targeted therapy, we treated 164 patients with centrally confirmed HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer with neoadjuvant trastuzumab emtansine plus pertuzumab. HER2 heterogeneity was assessed on pretreatment biopsies from two locations of each tumor. HER2 heterogeneity, defined as an area with ERBB2 amplification in >5% but P < 0.0001, adjusted for hormone receptor status). Single-cell ERBB2 FISH analysis of cellular heterogeneity identified the fraction of ERBB2 nonamplified cells as a driver of therapeutic resistance. These data suggest HER2 heterogeneity is associated with resistance to HER2-targeted therapy and should be considered in efforts to optimize treatment strategies.Significance:HER2-targeted therapies improve cure rates in HER2-positive breast cancer, suggesting chemotherapy can be avoided in a subset of patients. We show that HER2 heterogeneity, particularly the fraction of ERBB2 nonamplified cancer cells, is a strong predictor of resistance to HER2 therapies and could potentially be used to optimize treatment selection.See related commentary by Okines and Turner, p. 2369.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2355

Supplementary Figure 5: The change in sTILs during NAC is not prognostic for outcome in TNBC patients with residual disease.

Everolimus Inhibited mTOR Activity as Assessed by pS6 Expression without Significant Correlation with Clinical Activity

Supplementary Figure 16: 8 gene score is predominately expressed by CD8+ T cells and NK cells in both patients.

Supplementary text

Dataset 1: Metadata and clonotype data for TCRβ sequencing (Adaptive) in 15 pairs of NAC-treated patients (tumor data).

Supplementary Figure 2: Pre-NAC sTILs have minimal prognostic value in breast cancer patients with residual disease.

Purpose:The recent approval of anti-programmed death-ligand 1 immunotherapy in combination with nab-paclitaxel for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) highlights the need to understand the role of chemotherapy in modulating the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME).Experimental Design:We examined immune-related gene expression patterns before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in a series of 83 breast tumors, including 44 TNBCs, from patients with residual disease (RD). Changes in gene expression patterns in the TIME were tested for association with recurrence-free (RFS) and overall survival (OS). In addition, we sought to characterize the systemic effects of NAC through single-cell analysis (RNAseq and cytokine secretion) of programmed death-1–high (PD-1HI) CD8+ peripheral T cells and examination of a cytolytic gene signature in whole blood.Results:In non-TNBC, no change in expression of any single gene was associated with RFS or OS, while in TNBC upregulation of multiple immune-related genes and gene sets were associated with improved long-term outcome. High cytotoxic T-cell signatures present in the peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer at surgery were associated with persistent disease and recurrence, suggesting active antitumor immunity that may indicate ongoing disease burden.Conclusions:We have characterized the effects of NAC on the TIME, finding that TNBC is uniquely sensitive to the immunologic effects of NAC, and local increases in immune genes/sets are associated with improved outcomes. However, expression of cytotoxic genes in the peripheral blood, as opposed to the TIME, may be a minimally invasive biomarker of persistent micrometastatic disease ultimately leading to recurrence.

Purpose: Tigatuzumab (TIG), an agonistic anti-DR5 antibody, triggers apoptosis in DR5+ human tumor cells without crosslinking. TIG has strong in vitro/in vivo activity against basal-like breast cancer cells enhanced by chemotherapy agents. This study evaluates activity of TIG and chemotherapy in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).Experimental Design: Randomized 2:1 phase II trial of albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PAC) ± TIG in patients with TNBC stratified by prior chemotherapy. Patients received nab-PAC weekly × 3 ± TIG every other week, every 28 days. Primary objective was within-arm objective response rate (ORR). Secondary objectives were safety, progression-free survival (PFS), clinical benefit, and TIG immunogenicity. Metastatic research biopsies were required.Results: Among 64 patients (60 treated; TIG/nab-PAC n = 39 and nab-PAC n = 21), there were 3 complete remissions (CR), 8 partial remissions (PR; 1 almost CR), 11 stable diseases (SD), and 17 progressive diseases (PD) in the TIG/nab-PAC arm (ORR, 28%), and no CRs, 8 PRs, 4 SDs, and 9 PDs in the nab-PAC arm (ORR, 38%). There was a numerical increase in CRs and several patients had prolonged PFS (1,025+, 781, 672, 460, 334) in the TIG/nab-PAC arm. Grade 3 toxicities were 28% and 29%, respectively, with no grade 4–5. Exploratory analysis suggests an association of ROCK1 gene pathway activation with efficacy in the TIG/nab-PAC arm.Conclusions: ORR and PFS were similar in both. Preclinical activity of TIG in basal-like breast cancer and prolonged PFS in few patients in the combination arm support further investigation of anti-DR5 agents. ROCK pathway activation merits further evaluation. Clin Cancer Res; 21(12); 2722–9. ©2015 AACR.See related article by Paoletti et al., p. 2771

Purpose: Because of inherent disease heterogeneity, targeted therapies have eluded triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and biomarkers predictive of treatment response have not yet been identified. This study was designed to determine whether the mTOR inhibitor everolimus with cisplatin and paclitaxel would provide synergistic antitumor effects in TNBC.Methods: Patients with stage II/III TNBC were enrolled in a randomized phase II trial of preoperative weekly cisplatin, paclitaxel and daily everolimus or placebo for 12 weeks, until definitive surgery. Tumor specimens were obtained at baseline, cycle 1, and surgery. Primary endpoint was pathologic complete response (pCR); secondary endpoints included clinical responses, breast conservation rate, safety, and discovery of molecular features associated with outcome.Results: Between 2009 and 2013, 145 patients were accrued; 36% of patients in the everolimus arm and 49% of patients in the placebo arm achieved pCR; in each arm, 50% of patients achieved complete responses by imaging. Higher rates of neutropenia, mucositis, and transaminase elevation were seen with everolimus. Clinical response to therapy and long-term outcome correlated with increased frequency of DNA damage response (DDR) gene mutations, Basal-like1 and Mesenchymal TNBC-subtypes, AR-negative status, and high Ki67, but not with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.Conclusions: The paclitaxel/cisplatin combination was well tolerated and active, but addition of everolimus was associated with more adverse events without improvement in pCR or clinical response. However, discoveries made from correlative studies could lead to predictive TNBC biomarkers that may impact clinical decision-making and provide new avenues for mechanistic exploration that could lead to clinical utility. Clin Cancer Res; 23(15); 4035–45. ©2017 AACR.

Alterations in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway are not Enriched in Clinical Responders

XLSX file - 16075K, TNBCtype predictions for 163 primary tumors in TCGA considered to be TNBC.

Supplementary Figure 7: Changes in immunologic signatures in response to NAC are not associated with outcome in non-TNBC tumors with residual disease.

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Presence of Intratumoral and Stromal Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) did not Correlate with Pathological Responses

Supplementary Figure 3: The prognostic value of sTILs is primarily confined to the post-NAC specimen in TNBC patients with residual disease.

Purpose:PIK3CA mutations are common in breast cancer and promote tumor progression and treatment resistance. We conducted a phase I/II trial of alpelisib (α-specific PI3K inhibitor) plus nab-paclitaxel in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC).Patients and Methods:Eligible patients had HER2-negative MBC with any number of prior chemotherapies. Phase I was 3+3 dose-escalation design with three dose levels of alpelisib (250, 300, and 350 mg) daily plus nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 administered on days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days. Phase II was according to Simon's two-stage design. PIK3CA mutations in tumor/circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) were assessed. Primary endpoints were recommended phase II dose (RP2D) and objective response rate (ORR). Additional endpoints included safety, pharmacokinetics, progression-free survival (PFS), and association of PIK3CA mutation with outcomes.Results:A total of 43 patients were enrolled (phase I, n = 13 and phase II, n = 30). A total of 84% had visceral disease and 84% had prior taxane. No dose-limiting toxicities occurred in phase I. RP2D was alpelisib 350 mg daily plus nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15. Hyperglycemia (grade 3, 26% and grade 4, 0%), neutropenia (grade 3, 23% and grade 4, 7%), diarrhea (grade 3, 5% and grade 4, 0%), and rash (grade 3, 7% and grade 4, 0%) were the most common adverse events. Among 42 evaluable patients, ORR was 59% (complete response, 7% and partial response, 52%), 21% of whom had response lasting >12 months; median PFS was 8.7 months. A total of 40% of patients demonstrated tumor and/or ctDNA PIK3CA mutation; patients with tumor/ctDNA mutation demonstrated better PFS compared with those without mutation (11.9 vs. 7.5 months; HR, 0.44; P = 0.027). Patients with normal metabolic status had longer PFS compared with prediabetic/diabetic patients (12 vs. 7.5 months; P = 0.014). No pharmacokinetics interactions were detected.Conclusions:The alpelisib plus nab-paclitaxel combination was well tolerated and shows encouraging efficacy, especially in patients with PIK3CA-mutated tumor/ctDNA. The impact of metabolic status on response to this combination merits further investigation.

Supplementary Figure 6: Neither time of sample nor institution drive significant gene expression changes.

Supplementary Tables

Supplementary Figure 4: sTILs are not prognostic in ER+ or HER2+ disease.

Breast Cancer Gene Panel (GeneWiz)

Purpose: Circulating tumor cells (CTC) are prognostic in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We tested whether EpCAM-based capture system (CellSearch) is effective in patients with triple-negative (TN) MBC, and whether CTC apoptosis and clustering enhances the prognostic role of CTC.Experimental Design: CTC enumeration and apoptosis were determined using the CXC CellSearch kit at baseline and days 15 and 29 in blood drawn from TN MBC patients who participated in a prospective randomized phase II trial of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) with or without tigatuzumab. Association between levels of CTC and patient outcomes was assessed using logistic regression, Kaplan–Meier curves, and Cox proportional hazards modeling.Results: Nineteen of 52 (36.5%), 14 of 52 (26.9%), and 13 of 49 (26.5%) patients who were evaluable had elevated CTC (≥5 CTC/7.5 mL whole blood) at baseline and at days 15 and 29, respectively. Patients with elevated versus not elevated CTC at each time point had worse progression-free survival (PFS; P = 0.005, 0.0003, 0.0002, respectively). The odds of clinical benefit response for those who had elevated versus low CTC at baseline and days 15 and 29 were 0.25 (95% CI: 0.08–0.84; P = 0.024), 0.19 (95% CI: 0.05–0.17; P = 0.014), and 0.06 (95% CI: 0.01–0.33; P = 0.001), respectively. There was no apparent prognostic effect comparing CTC apoptosis versus non-apoptosis. Presence of CTC cluster at day 15 and day 29 was associated with shorter PFS.Conclusions: CTC were detected using CellSearch assay in approximately one-third of TN MBC patients. Elevated CTC at baseline and days 15 and 29 were prognostic, and reductions in CTC levels reflected response. Clin Cancer Res; 21(12); 2771–9. ©2015 AACR.See related article by Forero-Torres et al., p. 2722

Supplementary Figure 1-5. Supplementary Figure 1. Example of cluster image using the CellSearch® system. Supplementary Figure 2. REMARK diagram of the 19 patients who had elevated CTC (Group B/C) at baseline that were used to study "CTC-response". Supplementary Figure 3. PFS for TIG-treated patients versus the control group according to baseline CTC levels: CTC

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Supplementary legend

Kaplan-Meier estimates of progression-free survival by baseline metabolic status

Analysis of Disease-Free Survival across TNBC Subtypes

Everolimus and Cisplatin Modulation of p73 and p63 Expression In Vivo.

Dataset 2: Metadata and clonotype data for TCRβ sequencing (Archer) in 4 patients (peripheral CD8+ PD-1HI and CD8+ PD-1NEG T cells and post-NAC tumor), before (n=3) and after (n=4) NAC.

Purpose: To identify the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the first-in-class, oral CDK4/6 inhibitor PD 0332991 administered once daily for 21 of 28 days (3/1 schedule) in patients with retinoblastoma protein (Rb)-positive advanced solid tumors and to describe pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic relationships relative to drug effects.Experimental Design: This open-label phase I study (NCT00141297) enrolled patients who received PD 0332991 orally in six dose-escalation cohorts in a standard 3 + 3 design.Results: Forty-one patients were enrolled. DLTs were observed in five patients (12%) overall; at the 75, 125, and 150 mg once daily dose levels. The MTD and recommended phase II dose of PD 0332991 was 125 mg once daily. Neutropenia was the only dose-limiting effect. After cycle 1, grade 3 neutropenia, anemia, and leukopenia occurred in five (12%), three (7%), and one (2%) patient(s), respectively. The most common non-hematologic adverse events included fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea. Thirty-seven patients were evaluable for tumor response; 10 (27%) had stable disease for ≥4 cycles of whom six derived prolonged benefit (≥10 cycles). PD 0332991 was slowly absorbed (median Tmax, 5.5 hours), and slowly eliminated (mean half-life was 25.9 hours) with a large volume of distribution (mean, 2,793 L). The area under the concentration–time curve increased linearly with dose. Using an Emax model, neutropenia was shown to be proportional to exposure.Conclusions: PD 0332991 warrants phase II testing at 125 mg once daily, at which dose neutropenia was the sole significant toxicity. Clin Cancer Res; 18(2); 568–76. ©2011 AACR.

Gene expression signatures by PIK3CA mutation status

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease; gene expression analyses recently identified six distinct TNBC subtypes, each displaying a unique biology. Exploring novel approaches to treatment of these subtypes is critical because less than 30% of women with metastatic breast cancer survive five years and virtually all women with metastatic TNBC will ultimately die of their disease despite systemic therapy. To date, not a single targeted therapy has been approved for the treatment of TNBC and cytotoxic chemotherapy remains the standard treatment. We discuss the current and upcoming therapeutic strategies being explored in an attempt to “target” TNBC. Clin Cancer Res; 20(4); 782–90. ©2014 AACR.

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1. Supplemental Data: Differential of Toxicity and Eligibility Critique.; 2. Supplemental Figure 1: Gene Expression in Patients With Response to Therapy.

Supplementary Table 1. Table illustrating the criteria with which a cell was considered viable, or apoptotic either due to positive M-30 staining and/or visual evidence of apoptosis (nucleic condensat). Legend: Y= Yes, N= No

Purpose:Preclinical data demonstrating androgen receptor (AR)–positive (AR+) triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells are sensitive to AR antagonists, and PI3K inhibition catalyzed an investigator-initiated, multi-institutional phase Ib/II study TBCRC032. The trial investigated the safety and efficacy of the AR-antagonist enzalutamide alone or in combination with the PI3K inhibitor taselisib in patients with metastatic AR+ (≥10%) breast cancer.Patients and Methods:Phase Ib patients [estrogen receptor positive (ER+) or TNBC] with AR+ breast cancer received 160 mg enzalutamide in combination with taselisib to determine dose-limiting toxicities and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Phase II TNBC patients were randomized to receive either enzalutamide alone or in combination with 4 mg taselisib until disease progression. Primary endpoint was clinical benefit rate (CBR) at 16 weeks.Results:The combination was tolerated, and the MTD was not reached. The adverse events were hyperglycemia and skin rash. Overall, CBR for evaluable patients receiving the combination was 35.7%, and median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.4 months. Luminal AR (LAR) TNBC subtype patients trended toward better response compared with non-LAR (75.0% vs. 12.5%, P = 0.06), and increased PFS (4.6 vs. 2.0 months, P = 0.082). Genomic analyses revealed subtype-specific treatment response, and novel FGFR2 fusions and AR splice variants.Conclusions:The combination of enzalutamide and taselisib increased CBR in TNBC patients with AR+ tumors. Correlative analyses suggest AR protein expression alone is insufficient for identifying patients with AR-dependent tumors and knowledge of tumor LAR subtype and AR splice variants may identify patients more or less likely to benefit from AR antagonists.

Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival

Supplementary Figure 8: Changes in immune-related genes in response to NAC are not associated with outcome in ER+ or HER2+ tumors with residual disease.

Supplemental Material

PurposeTo examine circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and its association with residual cancer burden (RCB) using an ultrasensitive assay in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAT).Patients and MethodsWe identified responders (RCB-0/1) and matched non-responders (RCB-2/3) from the phase II TBCRC 030 prospective study of neoadjuvant paclitaxel vs. cisplatin in TNBC. We collected plasma samples at baseline, three weeks, and twelve weeks (end of therapy). We created personalized ctDNA assays utilizing MAESTRO mutation enrichment sequencing. We explored associations between ctDNA and RCB status and disease recurrence.ResultsOf 139 patients, 68 had complete samples and no additional NAT. Twenty-two were responders and 19 of those had sufficient tissue for whole-genome sequencing. We identified an additional 19 non-responders for a matched case-control analysis of 38 patients using a MAESTRO ctDNA assay tracking 319-1000 variants (median 1000) to 114 plasma samples from 3 timepoints. Overall, ctDNA positivity was 100% at baseline, 79% at week 3, and 55% at week 12. Median tumor fraction (TFx) was 3.7 × 10−4(range: 7.9 × 10−7to 4.9 × 10−1). TFx decreased 285-fold from baseline to week 3 in responders and 24-fold in non-responders. Week 12 ctDNA clearance correlated with RCB: clearance was observed in 10/11 patients with RCB-0, 3/8 with RCB-1, 4/15 with RCB-2, and 0/4 with RCB-3. Among 6 patients with known recurrence five had persistent ctDNA at week 12.ConclusionNAT for TNBC reduced ctDNA TFx by 285-fold in responders and 24-fold in non-responders. In 58% (22/38) of patients, ctDNA TFx dropped below the detection level of a commercially available test, emphasizing the need for sensitive tests. Additional studies will determine if ctDNA-guided approaches can improve outcomes.

Background: MET has been associated with beneficial anti-cancer effects in epidemiologic and preclinical research. It may act indirectly by reversing obesity associated physiologic changes or directly via mitochondrial mediated effects on LKB1/AMPK/mTOR and other mechanisms. MA.32 investigated the effect of MET vs PLAC (in addition to standard therapy) on adjuvant BC outcomes. Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind Phase III clinical trial conducted within the NCI US National Clinical Trials Network, NCRI (UK) BG, IBCSG. Methods: Between 2010-2013 BC patients < 75 yo without diabetes (DM) with high risk T1-3, N0-3 M0 BC regardless of ER, PgR, HER2 and with adequate cardiac, renal and hepatic function were randomized (stratified for ER/PgR + vs -, BMI < vs > 30 kg/m2, HER2 +ve vs -ve, any vs no chemo) within 1 year of BC diagnosis to MET 850 mg po bid or PLAC bid for 5 years. Dose was reduced for toxicity with re-escalation when possible. Subjects were followed for Invasive Disease-Free Survival (IDFS primary outcome; events included invasive local/regional recurrences, distant recurrences, new ipsilateral/contralateral invasive BCs, new non-breast primary cancers, any death), Overall Survival (OS), Distant Relapse Free Survival (DRFS), BC Specific Survival (BCSS), BC Free Interval (BCFI), contralateral BC and cardiovascular (CV) events/new DM. 3582 subjects were required for 80% power to detect HR 0.76 (431 events). In 2011, entry was restricted to higher risk BC, leading to 80% power to detect HR 0.785 (544 events). In 2016, after the 2nd interim analysis at 29.5 months median F/U, the DSMB recommended (i) the intervention be continued with primary analysis triggered at 544 events be conducted in ER/PgR +ve (any HER2) subjects only and (ii) ER/PgR -ve subjects stop study drug for futility but blinding and follow-up continue. In 2021, a time driven analysis in ER/PgR +ve BC was approved (465 events providing 80% power to detect the original HR 0.76). Time to event survival described by the Kaplan-Meier method. Two-sided log-rank tests adjusting for stratification factors were primarily used to compare IDFS between arms. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify and adjust for factors significantly related to IDFS. Results: 3649 subjects were enrolled. In the 2533 ER/PgR +ve subjects included in the primary analysis, baseline mean (± SD) age was 52.7 (±9.9 yrs); mean BMI 28.8 (±6.4) kg/m2. Baseline tumor characteristics were balanced: T stage 1/2/3/4 = 832/1351/349/1; N stage 0/1/2/3 = 964/1097/449/23; HER2+ 429. 1901 (75%) received XRT. 2150 (84.9%) received (neo)adj chemo, 2223 (87.8%) (neo)adj hormones and 434 (17.1%) HER2 targeted therapy. Any Grade ≥ 3 toxicity was similar in MET and PLAC arms (21.7% and 18.7%, P = 0.06). Median follow-up was 96.2 (range 0.2-121.0) months with 465 IDFS events (234 MET, 231 PLAC, 76% due to BC). Efficacy results are shown below. MET vs PLACMET vs PLACIDFSOSPopulation Included# subjectsHR (95% CI)HR (95% CI)PRIMARY ANALYSISER/PgR +ve (any HER2)*25331.01 (0.84-1.21). P=0.920.89 (0.64-1.23). P=0.46ER/PgR -ve (any HER211161.01 (0.79-1.30. P=0.92)0.89 (0.64-1.23). P=0.46Exploratory. AnalysisHER2 +ve (any ER/PgR)6200.64 (0.43-0.95. P=0.0260.53 (0.30-0.98. P=0.0398**in ER/PgR pos BC HRs were similar for BCFI, DRFS, BCSS (ranging from 0.98-1.09)Conclusions: MET did not improve IDFS or other BC outcomes in ER/PgR positive or ER/PgR negative BC and should not be used as adjuvant treatment. Exploratory findings suggesting benefit in HER2+ve BC should be further investigated. Funded by: CCSRI, NCI (US), CBCF, BCRF, CRUK, Hold’Em for Life Charity, Apotex (Canada) Citation Format: Pamela J. Goodwin, Bingshu E Chen, Karen A Gelmon, Timothy J Whelan, Marguerite Ennis, Julie Lemieux, Jennifer A Ligibel, Dawn L Hershman, Ingrid A Mayer, Timothy J Hobday, Judith M Bliss, Priya Rastogi, Manuela Rabaglio-Poretti, Som D. Mukherjee, Robert R Mackey, Vandana G Abramson, Conrad Oja, Robert Wesolowski, Alastair M Thompson, Daniel W Rea, Paul M Stos, Lois E Shepherd, Vuk Stambolic, Wendy R Parulekar. CCTGMA.32, a phase III randomized double-blind placebo controlled adjuvant trial of metformin (MET) vs placebo (PLAC) in early breast cancer (BC): Results of the primary efficacy analysis (clinical trials.gov NCT01101438) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr GS1-08.

Preclinical studies have demonstrated a complex cross-talk between Notch and estrogen signaling in ERα-positive breast cancer. Gamma-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) are investigational agents that block the cleavage and activation of Notch receptors. In animal models of endocrine-resistant breast cancer, combinations of tamoxifen and GSIs produce additive or synergistic efficacy, while decreasing the intestinal toxicity of GSIs. However, results of a clinical trial of a GSI-endocrine therapy combination in the metastatic setting have not been published to date, nor had the safety of such combinations been investigated with longer term treatment. We conducted a phase 1b dose escalation trial (NCT01149356) of GSI RO4929097 with exemestane in patients with ERα+, metastatic breast cancer (MBC) Study objectives: to determine the safety, tolerability and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of RO4929097 when administered in combination with exemestane in patients with estrogen receptor positive metastatic breast cancer Results: We enrolled 15 patients with MBC. Of 14 evaluable patients, one had a partial response, 6 had stable disease and 7 progressive disease. Twenty % of patients had stable disease for ≥ 6 months. Common toxicities included nausea (73.3%), anorexia (60%), hyperglycemia (53.3%), hypophosphatemia (46.7%), fatigue (66.7%) and cough (33.0%). Grade 3 toxicities were uncommon, and included hypophosphatemia (13%) and rash (6.3%). Rash was the only DLT observed at 140 mg/d. Results suggest a possible recommended phase 2 dose of 90 mg/d. Ten patients with evaluable archival tissue showed expression of PKCα, which correlated with expression of Notch4. Mammospheres from a PKCα-expressing, endocrine-resistant T47D cell line were inhibited by a GSI-fulvestrant combination Conclusions: Our data indicate that combinations including endocrine therapy and Notch inhibitors deserve further investigation in endocrine-resistant ERα-positive breast cancer.

Background Clinical trials of HER2-directed therapy that omit neoadjuvant conventional chemotherapy for HER+ breast cancer demonstrate that a subset of patients still obtains a pCR. Identifying tumor characteristics which predict pCR may help select patients for de-escalated neoadjuvant dual HER2-targeted treatment without chemotherapy. This is the first study evaluating the HER2/CEP17 ratio by FISH as a biomarker to predict pCR among patients who received neoadjuvant anti-HER2 regimens without chemotherapy. Patients and Methods Data from patients with locally advanced HER2+ breast cancer who received neoadjuvant dual HER2-targeted therapy without conventional chemotherapy from a single center was retrospectively reviewed. All patients were enrolled in one of 3 clinical trials evaluating chemotherapy de-escalation. Logistic regression modeling assessed for a relationship between the HER2/CEP17 FISH ratio obtained from baseline tissue biopsy and pCR based on pathology at the time of definitive breast surgery following neoadjuvant treatment. Results Following neoadjuvant treatment with dual HER2-targeted therapies in 56 patients, the probability of pCR was 73% among patients with a HER2 ratio of 13.1 compared to a probability of 38% among patients with HER2 ratio of 5.5 (OR 4.14, 95% CI 1.44-11.89; P = .012). This positive association persisted after controlling for different treatment regimens administered (OR 2.87, 95% CI 0.9-9.18, P = .020). Conclusions These data found a positive association between the HER2/CEP17 FISH ratio and pCR following neoadjuvant dual HER2-targeted therapy without chemotherapy. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate the HER2 ratio as a biomarker to select patients for neoadjuvant dual anti-HER2 therapy without chemotherapy.

Importance Metformin, a biguanide commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes, has been associated with potential beneficial effects across breast cancer subtypes in observational and preclinical studies. Objective To determine whether the administration of adjuvant metformin (vs placebo) to patients with breast cancer without diabetes improves outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants MA.32, a phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, conducted in Canada, Switzerland, US, and UK, enrolled 3649 patients with high-risk nonmetastatic breast cancer receiving standard therapy between August 2010 and March 2013, with follow-up to October 2020. Interventions Patients were randomized (stratified for hormone receptor [estrogen receptor and/or progesterone receptor {ER/PgR}] status, positive vs negative; body mass index, ≤30 vs >30; human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [ERBB2, formerly HER2 or HER2/neu], positive vs negative; and any vs no chemotherapy) to 850 mg of oral metformin twice a day (n = 1824) or oral placebo twice a day (n = 1825) for 5 years. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was invasive disease-free survival in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Of the 8 secondary outcomes, overall survival, distant relapse-free survival, and breast cancer-free interval were analyzed. Results Of the 3649 randomized patients (mean age, 52.4 years; 3643 women [99.8%]), all (100%) were included in analyses. After a second interim analysis, futility was declared for patients who were ER/PgR-, so the primary analysis was conducted for 2533 patients who were ER/PgR+. The median duration of follow-up in the ER/PgR+ group was 96.2 months (range, 0.2-121 months). Invasive disease-free survival events occurred in 465 patients who were ER/PgR+. The incidence rates for invasive disease-free survival events were 2.78 per 100 patient-years in the metformin group vs 2.74 per 100 patient-years in the placebo group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.01; 95% CI, 0.84-1.21; P = .93), and the incidence rates for death were 1.46 per 100 patient-years in the metformin group vs 1.32 per 100 patient-years in the placebo group (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.86-1.41; P = .47). Among patients who were ER/PgR-, followed up for a median of 94.1 months, incidence of invasive disease-free survival events was 3.58 vs 3.60 per 100 patient-years, respectively (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.79-1.30; P = .92). None of the 3 secondary outcomes analyzed in the ER/PgR+ group had statistically significant differences. Grade 3 nonhematological toxic events occurred more frequently in patients taking metformin than in patients taking placebo (21.5% vs 17.5%, respectively, P = .003). The most common grade 3 or higher adverse events in the metformin vs placebo groups were hypertension (2.4% vs 1.9%), irregular menses (1.5% vs 1.4%), and diarrhea (1.9% vs 7.0%). Conclusions and Relevance Among patients with high-risk operable breast cancer without diabetes, the addition of metformin vs placebo to standard breast cancer treatment did not significantly improve invasive disease-free survival. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01101438.