Predictive value of HER2 serum levels in patients treated with lapatinib or trastuzumab – a translational project in the neoadjuvant GeparQuinto trial

Background: We were able to demonstrate a predictive value of serum HER2 (sHER2) in patients receiving trastuzumab in the neoadjuvant GeparQuattro trial. However, the role of sHER2 in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy (NT) with lapatinib is still unclear. Methods: The neoadjuvant GeparQuinto trial compared trastuzumab vs lapatinib in addition to chemotherapy in HER2-positive primary breast cancer patients. The sHER2 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay in 210 patients, of whom 109 (52%) patients received trastuzumab and 101 (48%) lapatinib at three different time points. Results: Twenty-two percent of patients had elevated baseline sHER2 levels (>15 ng ml−1). A decrease of sHER2 levels (>20%) in the trastuzumab and lapatinib-treated group during NT was seen in 44% and 24% of the patients, an increase of sHER2 levels (>20%) was seen in 6% and 41% of patients, respectively. Higher pre-chemotherapy sHER2 levels were associated with higher pathological complete remission (pCR) rates in the entire study cohort (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.02–3.2, P=0.043). A decline of sHER2 levels (>20%) during NT was a predictor for pCR in the lapatinib-treated patient group (OR: 11.7, 95% CI 1.3–110, P=0.031). Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrate that sHER2 levels change differently during NT depending on the anti-HER2 treatment strategy. Elevated baseline sHER2 levels (>15 ng ml−1) and a decrease of sHER2 levels (>20%) early after therapy initiation are both relevant criteria to predict response to lapatinib-based treatment.