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Tung, Nadine

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1422-3734

Mayo Clinic

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Citations 44

Pathologic Complete Response (pCR) Rate and Predictors of Response to Taxane, Trastuzumab, and Pertuzumab in HER2‑Positive Breast Cancer: Secondary Analyses of EA1181/CompassHER2 pCR
Tung, Nadine , DeMichele, Angela , Winer, Eric P. , Wright, Jean L. , Recht, Abram , Weiss, Anna C., Tjoe, Judy A., Feldman, Sheldon M. , Smith, Mary Lou , O’Sullivan, Ciara C. , Sardesai, Sagar D., Irvin, W. J., Battelli, Chiara, Krie, Amy, D’Abreo, Nina , Shah, Payal D. , DeMichele, Angela , Prat, Aleix , Winer, Eric , Wright, Jean L , Recht, Abram , Rocque, Gabrielle , O'Sullivan, Ciara Catherine , Tang, Shou-Ching , Modi, Shanu , Bagegni, Nusayba , Krie, Amy K , Telli, Melinda L , Borges, Virginia F , D'Abreo, Nina , Shah, Payal D , Villagrasa, Patricia , Badve, Sunil S , Partridge, Ann H , Miller, Kathy D , Carey, Lisa A , Wolff, Antonio C , Tung, Nadine , Zhao, Fengmin , Weiss, Anna , Tjoe, Judy A., Rocque, Gabrielle B. , Sardesai, Sagar , Modi, Shanu , Irvin, William , Unni, Nisha G , George, Mridula Annette , Telli, Melinda L. , Borges, Virginia F. , Badve, Sunil , Partridge, Ann H. , Miller, Kathy D. , Carey, Lisa A. , Wolff, Antonio C.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | August 20, 2026 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco-25-02255 Get It

PURPOSE EA1181 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04266249 ) is a single-arm trial evaluating neoadjuvant taxane, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab (THP) in patients with clinical stage II/IIIa human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive breast cancer. This report focuses on the secondary end points of pathologic complete response (pCR) rates and associated factors. The primary end point—3-year recurrence-free survival among patients achieving a pCR (ypT0/Tis, ypN0)—will be reported when data mature. METHODS Patients received four cycles of trastuzumab and pertuzumab (HP) with either once per week paclitaxel (12 weeks) or docetaxel (every 3 weeks for four cycles), followed by surgery. Clinicopathologic characteristics were assessed in all patients. The HER2DX pCR score was determined using diagnostic biopsy samples in a representative subset. Logistic regression models identified factors associated with pCR. RESULTS A total of 2,175 patients were enrolled (781 HER2+/estrogen receptor‑negative [ER–]; 1,394 HER2+/ER+). Of 2,141 patients who initiated THP, the overall pCR rate was 43.8%: 63.7% in HER2+/ER– and 32.4% in HER2+/ER+ tumors. Higher pCR rates were observed in tumors that were ER-negative or low ER expressing, progesterone receptor-negative or low expressing, HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) 3+, and in patients treated with once per week paclitaxel. T3 disease was associated with a lower pCR rate in HER2+/ER– tumors; otherwise, tumor (T) and nodal (N) stage did not significantly affect pCR. Among 569 patients assessed for HER2DX pCR scores, a high score was independently associated with higher pCR rates, after adjustment for clinicopathologic variables. CONCLUSION Neoadjuvant THP achieved pCR in nearly two-thirds of patients with HER2+/ER– and one third with HER2+/ER+ breast cancer. Low hormone receptor expression, HER2 IHC 3+ status, once per week paclitaxel use, and a high HER2DX pCR score were independent predictors of pCR. These findings should help optimize risk stratification and treatment personalization for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.
EA1181: Accuracy of pre-surgery MRI to predict pathologic complete response after taxane, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab (THP) in HER2-positive breast cancer.
Tung, NM, Zhao, Fengmin, Partridge, Savannah C., Wright, Jean, Recht, Abram, Weiss, Anna, Tjoe, Judy A., Feldman, Sheldon M. , Smith, Mary Lou , O'Sullivan, Ciara Catherine, Sardesai, Sagar D., Winer, Eric P., Partridge, Ann H., Carey, L, DeMichele, Angela, Tung, Nadine , Zhao, Fengmin , Partridge, Savannah C , Recht, Abram , Weiss, Anna, Tjoe, Judy A., Rocque, Gabrielle B. , O’Sullivan, Ciara C. , Sardesai, Sagar , Badve, Sunil , Winer, Eric P. , Miller, Kathy D. , Partridge, Ann H. , Carey, Lisa A. , Rahbar, Habib , DeMichele, Angela , Wolff, Antonio C.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 603-603

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.603 Get It

603 Background: Accurate prediction of pathologic complete response (pCR) after preoperative therapy for HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer can help triage patients to immediate surgery vs additional preoperative therapy. Pre-surgery (i.e., after neoadjuvant therapy) imaging studies may help estimate the likelihood of pCR. In EA1181, patients (pts) with stage II-IIIA HER2+ breast cancer received four cycles of preoperative taxane, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab (THP×4). Pre-surgery imaging was required, though the specific imaging modality was not mandated. Here, we report the accuracy of pre-surgery breast MRI to predict pCR (ypT0/Tis, ypN0). Methods: Among 2,141 pts treated with THPx4, 1,378 had pre-surgery breast MRI and were representative of the overall cohort, although T3 tumors were more common (16% vs 9%). MRI reports were available for 1,351 pts; all reports were centrally reviewed and classified as radiologic complete response (rCR; no residual tumor enhancement and normalization of lymph nodes, if applicable) or radiologic residual disease (rRD). Reports with indeterminate radiologic response were independently reviewed by two study radiologists blinded to pathology outcomes. Among pts with rCR who had pathologic residual disease (pRD), we also assessed the extent of residual disease by residual cancer burden (RCB) score. Among pts with rRD who had a pCR, we determined the proportion who only had residual ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Results: See Table. Conclusions: After neoadjuvant therapy, preoperative MRI accurately predicted pCR in 86% of patients with HER2+/ER− disease and may help identify patients who can proceed directly to surgery. MRI is insufficient to predict pCR for pts with HER2+/ER+ disease, as only 55% with complete response on MRI had a pCR at surgery. A pre-surgery MRI that indicated residual disease was accurate in 80% of pts with HER2+/ER+ disease, but in only 45% of pts with HER2+/ER- cancer. Accurately predicting residual disease after THPx4 allows for consideration of additional therapy that may increase the chance of pCR. Combining imaging like MRI with other biomarkers, such as tissue-based markers or circulating tumor DNA, may improve prediction of pCR and facilitate personalization of treatment decisions in HER2+ breast cancer. All pts with pre-surgery MRI (n=1351)pCR rate overall in this cohort = 47% MRI result Pathology pCR pRD rCR 70.6% (341/483) 29.4%(142/483) 78% had RCB1 rRD 34%(295/868) 21% of 295 had DCIS only 66.01% (573/868) ER- (n=589)*Overall pCR rate in ER- subset = 68% MRI result Pathology pCR pRD rCR 86.1% (205/238) 13.9% (33/238) 85% had RCB1 rRD 55.3% (194/351) 19% of 194 had only DCIS 44.7% (157/351) ER+ (n= 762)*Overall pCR rate in ER+ subset = 31% MRI result Pathology pCR pRD rCR 55.5% (136/245) 44.5% (109/245) 76% had RCB1 rRD 19.5% (101/517) 26% of 101 had only DCIS 80.5% (416/517)
Abstract 7903: MiR-362-3p enhances platinum response in breast cancer
Liu, Zhaoji, Ke, Shizhong, Li, Xiaohui, Wu, C., Uyemura, Madison M., Sardella, Barbara, Massicott, Erica S., Wang, Lin, Aronson, Emily K., Karagkouni, Dimitra, Kalavros, Nikolaos , Bogsan, Cristina S, Zhou, Lihan, Cheng, He, Garber, J. E., Schnitt, Stuart J. , Tung, Nadine M., Wulf, G. M., Heng, Yujing J., Ke, Shizhong, Li, Xiaohui, Wang, Lin , Aronson, Emily K., Karagkouni, Dimitra , Vlachos, Ioannis S. , Batalini, Felipe , Bogsan, Cristina Stewart Bittencourt , Cheong, Jit Kong , Cheng, He, Munson, Phillip B. , Mayer, Erica L. , Tung, Nadine , Kasinski, Andrea L. , Slack, Frank John , Wulf, Gerburg M. , Heng, Yujing J.

Cancer Research | April 3, 2026 | Volume: 86 | Issue: 7_Supplement | Pages: 7903-7903

10.1158/1538-7445.am2026-7903 Get It

Abstract The INFORM trial (NCT01670500) was a randomized, two-arm Phase II neoadjuvant study comparing the efficacy of a platinum-based regimen (cisplatin) versus an anthracycline (AC)-based regimen in participants with germline BRCA1/2 mutations and early-stage, HER2-negative breast cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as promising non-invasive biomarkers for disease detection and treatment monitoring. The initial aim of this study was to evaluate whether pretreatment plasma miRNA profiles were associated with treatment outcomes in the INFORM trial cohort. Pretreatment plasma samples from 97 INFORM participants (n=53 cisplatin and n=44 AC) were screened for 352 miRNAs commonly implicated in cancer using the qPCR-based ID3EALTM Cancer Panel. Twenty out of 53 participants achieved residual cancer burden (RCB) score of 0 or 1 with cisplatin and 20/44 with AC. Higher plasma miR-362-3p expression was associated with a favorable response to cisplatin (1.7-fold; p<0.01), but not to AC. MiR-362-3p expression in paired pretreatment tumor biopsies (n=79) did not significantly correlate with plasma expression and was not associated with RCB 0/1 (p>0.05). In TCGA, miR-362-3p expression was higher in breast tumors than in adjacent normal tissue, and higher in triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) compared with hormone receptor-positive tumors (both FDR<0.001), independent of BRCA mutation or Single Base Substitution Signature 3 (SBS3) status. The miR-362-3p findings in INFORM did not replicate in a sister trial, TBCRC 030 (NCT01982448; 11 out of 46 cisplatin-treated patients achieved RCB 0/1, p=0.46). These results suggest that while miR-362-3p is unsuitable as a circulating biomarker for cisplatin response, it may play an important biological role in mediating cisplatin sensitivity in TNBCs, independent of BRCA1/2 mutations. Functional studies demonstrated that miR-362-3p is expressed and secreted by TNBC cell lines, operates as a tumor suppressor, and generally correlates with cisplatin sensitivity. Overexpression of miR-362-3p rendered MDA-MB-231 and CAL-51 cells cisplatin sensitive, while knockdown induced resistance in MDA-MB-436 cells. Ongoing studies are testing whether these effects translate in xenograft models. In silico and functional assays identified BCLAF1, a DNA damage response (DDR) regulator, as a direct target of miR-362-3p. Overexpression of miR-362-3p suppresses BCLAF1 mRNA and protein levels. Our findings demonstrate that miR-362-3p enhances cisplatin responsiveness by targeting BCLAF1. A miR-362-3p-based therapeutic may be useful as a co-agent to enhance tumor responses to platinum-based chemotherapy. Citation Format: Zhaoji Liu, Shizhong Ke, Xiaohui Li, Catherine Wu, Madison M. Uyemura, Brian R. Sardella, Erica S. Massicott, Lin Wang, Emily K. Aronson, Dimitra Karagkouni, Nikolas Kalavros, Ioannis S. Vlachos, Felipe Batalini, Cristina S. Bogsan, Jit Kong Cheong, Lihan Zhou, He Cheng, Phillip Munson, Erica L. Mayer, Judy E. Garber, Stuart J. Schnitt, Nadine M. Tung, Andrea L. Kasinski, Frank J. Slack, Gerburg M. Wulf, Yujing J. Heng. MiR-362-3p enhances platinum response in breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 7903.
The miR-362-3p/ BCLAF1 axis regulates cisplatin sensitivity and metastatic progression in triple-negative breast cancer
Liu, Zhaoji, Wu, Catherine, Uyemura, Madison M., Sardella, Barbara, Aronson, Emily K, Ke, Shizhong, Massicott, Erica S., Li, Xiaohui, Wang, Lin, Karagkouni, Dimitra, Kalavros, Nikolaos , Bogsan, Cristina S, Zhou, Lihan, Cheng, He, Garber, Judy E, Schnitt, Stuart J. , Tung, Nadine M, Heng, Yujing J., Heng, Yujing J. , Wu, C., Aronson, Emily K., Ke, Shizhong, Li, Xiaohui, Wang, Lin , Karagkouni, Dimitra , Vlachos, Ioannis S. , Batalini, Felipe , Bogsan, Cristina Stewart Bittencourt , Cheong, Jit Kong , Munson, Phillip B. , Mayer, Erica L. , Garber, Judy E. , Tung, Nadine , Kasinski, Andrea L. , Slack, Frank John , Wulf, Gerburg M.

No container title available | March 11, 2026 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.64898/2026.03.09.26347941 Get It

Abstract Platinum-based chemotherapy remains a cornerstone of treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), yet the molecular determinants governing platinum response remain poorly defined. By leveraging the randomized Phase II INFORM trial, which compared neoadjuvant cisplatin to anthracycline-based therapy in BRCA1/2 -mutant breast cancer—we identified miR-362-3p as a specific regulator of cisplatin sensitivity. Higher plasma miR-362-3p expression was exclusively associated with favorable clinical outcome in the cisplatin arm, with no association observed in the AC arm, decoupling platinum-specific vulnerability from general chemotherapy response. We used gain- and loss-of-function TNBC models to establish that miR-362-3p functions as a potent sensitizer to cisplatin in vitro and in vivo . Integrated TCGA analysis and experimental validation identified BCLAF1, a key regulator of DNA damage response, as a direct repression target of miR-362-3p. We uncovered a novel role for the miR-362-3p/ BCLAF1 axis in overcoming platinum resistance in TNBC.
Risk of Breast Cancer After Ovarian Cancer in Women With a Pathogenic/Likely Pathogenic Variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2
Apostol, Adriana Ionelia , Gronwald, J., Cybulski, C., Kim, Raymond H. , Møller, P., Karlan, B., Bordeleau, Louise , Schrader, Intan , Cajal, Teresa Ramón y , Pal, Tuya, Eisen, Andrea, Singer, Christian F., Couch, Fergus J., Zakalik, Dana , Metcalfe, Kelly , Olopade, Olufunmilayo, Tung, Nadine, Fruscio, R, Foulkes, William D., Sun, P., Lubinski, J., Narod, Steven A., Sweet, Kevin , Elser, Christine , Panchal, Seema, Wiesner, Georgia L. , Armel, Susan, Steele, Linda, Serfas, Kim, Cullinane, Carey A., Reilly, Robert E., Mercer, L J, Dungan, Jeffrey R., Cohen, Stephanie, Neuhausen, Susan, Sun, Sophie, Blum, Joanne L., Stempa, Klaudia , Graham, Tracy Ann, Seca, Marta , Marchette, Martina Delle , Dell'Oro, Cristina, Alfonso, Rosa Moreno, Lopez, Consol, Cusco, Francesco, Karlan, Beth Y. , Schrader, Kasmintan A. , Eisen, Andrea , Apostol, Adriana I , Cybulski, Cezary , Karlan, Beth Y , Ramón Y Cajal, Teresa , Singer, Christian F , Couch, Fergus J. , Olopade, Olufunmilayo I , Tung, Nadine , Fruscio, Robert , Foulkes, William D , Aeilts, Amber M , Lubinski, Jan , Narod, Steven A , Kotsopoulos, Joanne , Metcalfe, Kelly A , Eisen, Andrea , Bordeleau, Louise , Kim, Raymond H , Cybulski, Cezary , Møller, Pål , Pal, Tuya , Singer, Christian F. , Couch, Fergus J. , Olopade, Olufunmilayo I. , Tung, Nadine , Foulkes, William D. , Aeilts, Amber M. , Lubiński, Jan , Narod, Steven A. , Kotsopoulos, Joanne , Steele, Linda, Saal, Howard M. , Rayson, Daniel , Mercer, Leanne, Cohen, Stephanie, Neuhausen, Susan L, Senter, Leigha , Blum, Joanne Lorraine , Negri, Serena , Dell’Oro, Cristina, Inzoli, Alessandra , Alfonso, Rosa

Journal of Clinical Oncology | February 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 883-892

10.1200/jco-25-01648 Get It

PURPOSE BRCA carriers face high risks of developing both breast and ovarian/fallopian tube cancers (hereafter referred to as ovarian ). Among BRCA carriers with ovarian cancer, it is not clear whether the risk of breast cancer is sufficiently high that risk-reducing mastectomy should be offered. This study aimed to assess the risk of breast cancer BRCA carriers after a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. METHODS We included women with a pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2 , a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, and no other cancer history and no risk-reducing bilateral mastectomy. Women were followed for incident breast cancer from the date of ovarian cancer diagnosis or the date of baseline questionnaire, whichever came last. The 5-, 10-, and 15-year cumulative risks of breast cancer were compared for women with ovarian cancer and an age-matched set of control women without ovarian cancer. RESULTS A total of 960 participants with ovarian cancer were identified (814 BRCA1 and 146 BRCA2 carriers). After a mean follow-up of 4.9 years, 41 women (4.3%) developed breast cancer, at a mean age at diagnosis of 57.5 years (range, 39-74). Actuarial cumulative breast cancer risks after ovarian cancer were 4.4%, 8.9%, and 11.5% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Only three breast cancer–related deaths occurred. Among 741 age-matched BRCA carriers without ovarian cancer, actuarial cumulative risks of breast cancer were 20.9%, 38.6%, and 47.2% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. The hazard ratio for breast cancer, after an ovarian cancer diagnosis, compared with no ovarian cancer, was 0.18 ([95% CI, 0.12 to 0.27]; P < .0001). CONCLUSION After ovarian cancer, BRCA carriers have a relatively low risk of breast cancer. Risk-reducing mastectomy should not be recommended routinely, but might be considered for long-term survivors. Magnetic resonance imaging surveillance and/or mammography is a realistic alternative.
Abstract RF5-02: Tbcrc 056: a phase 2 study of neoadjuvant niraparib with dostarlimab for patients with BRCA- or PALB2-mutated breast cancer: results from the TNBC cohorts
Mayer, E. L., Leon-Ferre, R. A., Rozenblit, M., Santa-Maria, C. A., Isakoff, S., Specht, J. M., Tung, NM, Abramson, V., Desrosiers, Jennifer, Schubert, Adrian , Koca, Beyza , Tolaney, S. M., Winer, E. P., Krop, I. E., Wolff, A. C., Shapiro, G. I., Tayob, Nabihah, Guerriero, J. L., Graham, Noah , Leon‐Ferre, Roberto A. , Rozenblit, M., Santa-Maria, C.A., Specht, Jennifer M. , Tung, Nadine , Abramson, V., Schubert, A., Tolaney, Sara M. , Winer, E. P., Krop, I. E., Wolff, A.

Clinical Cancer Research | February 17, 2026 | Volume: 32 | Issue: 4_Supplement | Pages: RF5-02-RF5-02

10.1158/1557-3265.sabcs25-rf5-02 Get It

Abstract Background PARP inhibitors (PARPi) are active in patients (pts) with germline BRCA1/2 or PALB2 mutated (gBRCA1/2; gPALB2m) breast cancer (BC). Preclinical data suggest PARPi leads to intratumoral activation of the proinflammatory cGAS/STING pathway, recruiting CD8+ T cells, and sensitizing gBRCAm cancers to immune-targeted therapy. Prolonged preoperative treatment with PARPi monotherapy has demonstrated notable pathologic complete response (pCR) rates. The randomized phase II TBCRC 056 study evaluates the PARPi niraparib (N) with the anti-PD-1 antibody dostarlimab (D) as neoadjuvant treatment of gBRCAm or gPALB2mHER2-negative BC, with cohorts for both triple negative BC (TNBC, Arms A and B) and estrogen receptor positive (ER+) BC (Arm C). Results from Arms A and B are being presented. Methods Eligible pts (gBRCA1/2m/gPALB2m BC, T &gt;1.0 cm, ER- (&lt;10%), HER2-) were randomized to either Arm A: upfront combination N 200 mg orally QD and D 500 mg IV every 3 weeks (wks) for 18 wks (1 cycle = 3 wks), or Arm B: N monotherapy for 3 wks, followed by combination N plus D for 15 wks, with baseline (BL) and wk 3 tumor biopsies. After 18 wks, pts either underwent surgery or received additional preoperative systemic therapy (per MD choice) after an end of treatment biopsy if residual disease present. The primary study objectives are to evaluate pCR in Arms A and B combined, as well as change in stromal tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (sTILs) from BL to 3 wks in each Arm separately; 46 pts and a target pCR rate of 50% provides 85% power to reject the null hypothesis of pCR &lt; 30%. Results A total of 46 pts with TNBC enrolled to Arms A and B (38 gBRCA1m (82.6%), 8 gBRCA2m (17.4%), 0 gPALB2m). Median age was 39.3 years (range 24.8-72.8); 84.8% self-reported White, 6.5% Black, 4.3% Asian, and 8.7% Hispanic. Clinical stage distribution was 37.0% stage I, 45.7% stage II, and 17.4% stage III; most had ER- BC (42 ER &lt;1%, and 4 ER 1-10%). Among all pts, 38 (82.6%) completed the target number of cycles of D, with mean cycles received 5.1. Five pts discontinued D early (3 inadequate response/progression, 2 unacceptable AE: LFTs, rash). A total of 38 pts (82.6%) completed 6 cycles of N, with mean cycles received 5.7. Seven pts discontinued N early (3 inadequate response/progression, 4 unacceptable AE: LFTs, anemia, rash (2)). Most common AEs (&gt; grade 2) with D+N were anemia (26.1%), fatigue (21.7%), hypertension (15.2%), hypothyroidism (15.2%), and neutropenia (15.2%). Most common Grade &gt;3 AEs with D+N were anemia (17%) and neutropenia (6.5%). Among all pts, 23 (50%) had a pCR at surgery (90% CI 37.1% - 62.9%), 12 (26.1%) had residual disease (4 RCB-I, 5 RCB-II, 2 RCB-III, 1 RCB not calculable), and 11 (23.9%) crossed over to additional preoperative therapy. The pCR rate exceeded the protocol efficacy criterion of &gt;43%, a significant increase over null hypothesis. pCR rates were the same on Arms A (50%, 90% CI 31.1% - 68.9%) and B (50%, 90% CI 31.9% - 68.1%). Among 15 pts on Arm A with evaluable sTILs at BL and 3 wks, mean sTILs at BL was 16% (range 1% - 40%), and at 3 wks was 27.4% (range 0.5% - 60%), for an average increase of 11.4% (p=0.009). Among 22 pts on Arm B with evaluable sTILs at BL and 3 wks, mean sTILs at BL was 19.5% (range 1% - 75%), and at 3 wks was 42.1% (range 1% - 85%), for an average increase of 22.7% (p=0.0003). Among all pts, BL sTILs (continuous) were significantly higher among those who achieved pCR than those who did not (median 15% vs. 5%, p=0.03). There was no relationship between pCR and BL PD-L1 score, or pCR and ER-0 vs. ER-low. Conclusions In pts with gBRCAm early TNBC, 18 wks of targeted therapy using PARPi and anti-PD1 agents, with or without 3-week PARPi lead-in, resulted in a pCR rate of 50%, and a statistically significant increase in sTILs from BL to 3 wks. Further ongoing correlative work may identify best candidates for this non-chemotherapy-based approach. Citation Format: E. L. Mayer, N. Graham, R. A. Leon-Ferre, M. Rozenblit, C. A. Santa-Maria, S. Isakoff, J. Specht, N. Tung, V. Abramson, J. Desrosiers, A. Schubert, B. Koca, S. M. Tolaney, E. P. Winer, I. E. Krop, A. C. Wolff, G. I. Shapiro, N. Tayob, J. L. Guerriero. Tbcrc 056: a phase 2 study of neoadjuvant niraparib with dostarlimab for patients with BRCA- or PALB2-mutated breast cancer: results from the TNBC cohorts [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr RF5-02.
Abstract GS1-04: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and pathologic complete response (pCR) in stage II/III HER2+ breast cancer treated with taxane, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab (THP): secondary results from the ECOG-ACRIN EA1181/CompassHER2 pCR trial
Badve, S. S., Zhao, F., Tung, NM, O'Sullivan, C. C., Prat, A., Winer, E. P., Wright, J. L., Recht, A., Weiss, A. C., Tjoe, J. A., Feldman, S. M., Rocque, G. B., Smith, M., Unni, N., Sardesai, S., Modi, S., Irvin, W. J., Villagrassa, P., Battelli, Chiara, Krie, A. K., Bagegni, N. A., George, M. A., Telli, M. L., Borges, V. F., D’Abreo, Nina , Shah, P. D., Miller, K. D., Partridge, A. H., Carey, L. A., DeMichele, A. M., Wolff, A. C., ECOG-ACRIN, Badve, Sunil , Tung, Nadine , Gökmen‐Polar, Yesim , O’Sullivan, Ciara C. , Prat, Aleix , Wright, J. L., Recht, A., Weiss, A. C., Rocque, Gabrielle B. , Unni, N., Sardesai, Sagar , Tang, Shou-Ching , Irvin, William , Bagegni, Nusayba , Telli, M.L., Partridge, Ann H. , Carey, L., DeMichele, Angela , Wolff, Antonio C

Clinical Cancer Research | February 17, 2026 | Volume: 32 | Issue: 4_Supplement | Pages: GS1-04-GS1-04

10.1158/1557-3265.sabcs25-gs1-04 Get It

Abstract Background: The association of TILs with pathologic complete response (pCR) and survival in HER2+ breast cancer is not well established with several prior studies showing inconsistent results. In this secondary analysis of EA1181, we evaluated the association between stromal TILs (sTILs) and pCR rates. Methods: EA1181 (NCT04266249) enrolled patients (pts) with anatomic clinical stage II/III HER2+ breast cancer who preoperatively received 4 cycles of trastuzumab and pertuzumab with 12 weeks of paclitaxel or docetaxel q3w x 4 (THP), followed by surgery. sTILs density was assessed on full-face hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained tumor biopsy sections. sTILs scores were analyzed per protocol as a continuous variable (every 10% increment) and as a categorical variable (&lt;10% vs 10-60% vs &gt;60% as per Denkert et al, 2018), and also with an exploratory 30% cutoff commonly used in TNBC. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between sTILs and pCR, adjusting for available baseline factors. The associations between sTILs (by category) and clinicopathologic characteristics were examined using Fishers’ exact test. Results: Among 2141 pts with HER2+ BC treated on EA1181, H&E slides were available for 1328 (62%). The study population evaluated for sTILs was comparable to the overall population. pCR rates were 44.5% overall, 64% for HER2+/ER- and 33% for HER2+/ER+ disease. sTILs distribution was: 623 (47%) &lt;10%, 698 (52%) 10-60%, and 7 (0.5%) &gt;60%, which led us to merge the latter two groups (705 [53%] had ≥10% sTILs). In univariable and multivariable analyses, increasing sTILs (as a continuous variable) were associated with increasing pCR rates in both HER2+/ER+ and HER2+/ER- disease (p&lt;0.001; Table). sTILs analyzed as a categorical variable (&lt;10% vs ≥10%) were significantly associated with pCR for all patients (combined) and for those with HER2+/ER+ disease. In exploratory analysis using a cutoff of &lt;30% vs ≥30% sTILs, an association with pCR was also seen in univariable analysis for both HER2+/ER+ disease (p&lt;0.001) and HER2+/ER- disease (p=0.045), though in multivariable analysis with clinical factors, sTILs &gt;30% remained a significant predictor for pCR only in HER2+/ER+ disease. Additional exploratory analysis with other molecular biomarkers, intrinsic subtypes, and immune signatures will be presented. Conclusion: sTILs were associated with pCR after THP, further supporting the important role of immune mechanisms in HER2+ breast cancer, and highlighting a potentially robust predictive tool to assess pathologic response. Baseline sTILs could potentially inform the preoperative design of future trials of therapy optimalization. Association of baseline sTILs with recurrence free survival in EA1181 will be reported in the future. Citation Format: S. S. Badve, F. Zhao, N. Tung, Y. Gokmen-Polar, C. C. O'Sullivan, A. Prat, E. P. Winer, J. L. Wright, A. Recht, A. C. Weiss, J. A. Tjoe, S. M. Feldman, G. B. Rocque, M. Smith, N. Unni, S. Sardesai, S. Tang, S. Modi, W. J. Irvin, P. Villagrassa, C. Battelli, A. K. Krie, N. Bagegni, M. A. George, M. L. Telli, V. F. Borges, N. D’Abreo, P. Shah, K. D. Miller, A. H. Partridge, L. A. Carey, A. M. DeMichele, A. C. Wolff, ECOG-ACRIN.Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and pathologic complete response (pCR) in stage II/III HER2+ breast cancer treated with taxane, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab (THP): secondary results from the ECOG-ACRIN EA1181/CompassHER2 pCR trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr GS1-04.
Menopausal hormone therapy and the risk of breast cancer in women with a pathogenic variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2
Kotsopoulos, Joanne , Seca, Marta , Gronwald, Jacek, Møller, Pål , Kim, Raymond H. , Singer, Christian F., Karlan, Beth Y. , Aeilts, Amber M. , Cajal, Teresa Ramón y , Eisen, Andrea , Bordeleau, Louise , Tung, Nadine, Neuhausen, Susan L., Zakalik, Dana , Olopade, Olufunmilayo, Metcalfe, Kelly , Sun, Ping, Narod, Steven A., Olopade, Olufunmilayo I. , Singer, Christian F. , Huzarski, Tomasz , Kim, Raymond H , Singer, Christian F , Karlan, Beth Y , Aeilts, Amber M , Ramón Y Cajal, Teresa , Eisen, Andrea , Bordeleau, Louise , Foulkes, William D , Tung, Nadine , Couch, Fergus J. , Neuhausen, Susan L. , Cybulski, Cezary , Olopade, Olufunmilayo I , Fruscio, Robert , Lubinski, Jan , Narod, Steven A , Metcalfe, Kelly A , Kotsopoulos, Joanne , Huzarski, Tomasz , Pal, Tuya , Foulkes, William D. , Tung, Nadine , Couch, Fergus J. , Cybulski, Cezary , Fruscio, Robert , Lubiński, Jan , Narod, Steven A.

JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute | December 13, 2025 | Volume: 118 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 856-864

10.1093/jnci/djaf363 Get It

Abstract Background Women with a pathogenic variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2 are at high risk of developing ovarian cancer, and it is often recommended that they undergo bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy at an early age, resulting in surgical menopause. Menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an effective way to mitigate the adverse outcomes of early menopause; however, the safety of menopausal HRT on breast cancer risk in this population has not been established. Methods We conducted a prospective matched analysis of HRT use following menopause and breast cancer risk in BRCA carriers. Women who initiated HRT were matched one-to-one with women who had not initiated menopausal HRT by gene, year of birth, and age at menopause, resulting in 676 matched pairs. Menopausal HRT use collected by questionnaire included formulation and mode of administration. Results After a mean of 5.6 years, there were 87 (12.9%) incident breast cancer cases in the 676 exposed women and 128 (18.9%) cases in the 676 unexposed women (P = .002). Compared with unexposed matched control individuals, women who used estrogen alone experienced a statistically significantly decreased risk of breast cancer (hazard ratio = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.24 to 0.57). No protective or adverse effect was associated with the use of estrogen plus progestogen (hazard ratio = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.54 to 1.63). Conclusions Our findings suggest no substantial increase in the risk of breast cancer in BRCA carriers with the use of HRT and that estrogen alone might be protective.
Endometriosis in Carriers of a Pathogenic Variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2: A Descriptive Analysis of a Large Multicentral BRCA Carrier Cohort
Mokhber, Aghaghia , Stewart, Bethany , Gronwald, Jacek , Cybulski, Cezary , Kim, Raymond H. , Karlan, Beth Y. , Bordeleau, Louise , Cajal, Teresa Ramón y , Pal, Tuya , Eisen, Andrea , Couch, Fergus J., Zakalik, Dana , Tung, Nadine, Fruscio, Robert , Sun, Ping, Lubiński, Jan , Narod, Steven A. , Stewart, Brynne , Gronwald, Jacek , Cybulski, Cezary , Kim, Raymond H , Karlan, Beth Y , Ramón Y Cajal, Teresa , Pal, Tuya , Eisen, Andrea , Fruscio, Robert , Lubinski, Jan , Narod, Steven A , Bordeleau, Louise , Terry, Kathryn L. , Couch, Fergus J. , Tung, Nadine , Foulkes, William D. , Aeilts, Amber M. , Sun, Ping , Kotsopoulos, Joanne

Current Oncology | December 5, 2025 | Volume: 32 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 675

10.3390/curroncol32120675 Get It

Background: Endometriosis affects an estimated 10% of reproductive-aged women and is associated with increased ovarian cancer risk. While BRCA1/2 mutations are established risk factors for ovarian cancer, their association with endometriosis remains unclear. This study aimed to characterize the prevalence and clinical features of endometriosis within a large cohort of BRCA mutation carriers. Methods: A descriptive analysis was conducted using data from a multi-center longitudinal cohort of women with pathogenic BRCA variants. Reproductive history and related factors were collected through self-reported questionnaires and compared. Results: Among 16,950 BRCA carriers, the prevalence of endometriosis was 2.4%. Compared to BRCA carriers without endometriosis, those with endometriosis were more likely to carry a BRCA2 mutation, have post-secondary education, and experience earlier menarche. BRCA carriers with endometriosis had a lower ovarian cancer prevalence than those without (10% vs. 15%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This is the first study of this scale to report the prevalence of endometriosis among BRCA mutation carriers, which was lower than previously reported in the general population. The association between endometriosis and ovarian cancer does not appear to be generalizable to this population. Further prospective studies are warranted to clarify this association among BRCA mutation carriers.
AXALAP: Phase Ib study of axatilimab in combination with olaparib in BRCA1/2 and PALB2 -associated metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer (BC).
Hernandez, Adela Rodríguez, Buehler, Ryan, Augdahl, Grace, DeMeo, Michelle K. , Waks, Adrienne G. , Tolaney, Sara M. , Tayob, Nabihah , Guerriero, Jennifer L. , Lynce, Filipa , Yadav, Siddhartha , Rahman, Tasnim , Tung, Nadine , Garber, Judy E. , Shapiro, Geoffrey I.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.tps1143 Get It

TPS1143 Background: Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi) have revolutionized the treatment of patients (pts) with germline BRCA1/2 (gBRCA)-associated HER2-negative BC. However, resistance eventually occurs in almost all pts. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), a key component of the BC tumor microenvironment, are highly immunosuppressive and associated with poor clinical outcomes. In preclinical immunocompetent models of BRCA-associated BC, PARP inhibition induces suppressive CSF-1R+ TAMs, contributing to resistance, so that combining anti-CSF-1R therapy with PARPi significantly enhances progression free survival (PFS) compared to PARPi monotherapy (190d vs 92d). Axatilimab (SNDX-6352; Ab969.g2), a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody targeting CSF-1R, reduces TAMs, potentially slowing tumor growth and enhancing anti-tumor immunity. In the Phase I SNDX-6352-0502 study for advanced solid tumors, axatilimab showed tolerability at the highest dose (6 mg/kg), with biomarker modulation observed at doses as low as 1 mg/kg. Axatilimab is FDA-approved for chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). Methods: AXALAP (NCT06488378) is a non-randomized open-label, proof-of-concept phase 1 study designed to evaluate axatilimab 1mg/kg or 3mg/kg every 2 weeks in combination with olaparib 300 mg twice daily in pts with somatic or germline BRCA1/2 - and PALB2 -associated HER2-negative metastatic BC. Patients must be PARPi naïve, or have not progressed on prior PARPi, and have received up to 2 prior lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Pts will receive a two-week lead-in of olaparib monotherapy, followed by combined olaparib and axatilimab. Pts will undergo mandatory tumor biopsies pre-treatment, after the 2-week olaparib lead-in, and after 2 cycles of olaparib/axatilimab, with an optional biopsy at time-of-progression. Primary objectives are to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase 2 dose and to assess the safety and tolerability of axatilimab and olaparib. Secondary objectives include assessment of changes in CSF-1R+ CD163+ macrophage levels after olaparib monotherapy and after 2 cycles of combination treatment at the MTD; to determine the objective response rate and the median PFS of the combination per RECIST 1.1 criteria. The MTD will be determined by Bayesian Optimal Interval (BOIN) design. Pts will be treated in cohorts of 3 with a maximum of 10 at each dose. If the MTD is identified as 3mg/kg, we will complete enrollment of 10 pts at 1 mg/kg to assess biological effectiveness and clinical efficacy of the lower dose. We expect to treat up to 20 pts, who will receive study treatment until development of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. Enrollment began on 5/2024 at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the trial will also open at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Mayo Clinic-Rochester. Clinical trial information: NCT03604692 .