Dempsey, Naomi

Abstract Introduction: Metaplastic breast cancer (MpBC) is a rare and histologically diverse subtype of breast cancer (BC) that is frequently triple negative (TN) and exhibits poor responsiveness to chemotherapy (CT). Our group previously reported a low pathologic complete response (pCR) rate among patients (pts) with MpBC treated with neoadjuvant CT in the pre-immunotherapy (IO) era. The standard neoadjuvant approach for pts with stage 2-3 TNBC has evolved with the results of the KEYNOTE-522 (KN522) trial, which demonstrated improved pCR rates, event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) with the addition of pembrolizumab to CT. However, pts with MpBC were not well-represented in KN522, and their response to IO remains poorly characterized. In this study, we examine the pCR rate with the addition of IO to neoadjuvant CT in pts with TN MpBC. Methods: Pts diagnosed with MpBC and treated at Miami Cancer Institute between 2017-2024 were retrospectively identified by COTA real-world Analytics® platform following IRB approval. Eligible pts had stage 2-3 ER-negative (defined as ER < 10%), PR-negative, HER2-negative MpBC, received neoadjuvant systemic therapy, and subsequently underwent definitive surgery. Demographic, clinical, treatment and outcome data were extracted from the electronic health record. pCR was defined as the absence of residual invasive cancer in the breast and axillary lymph nodes at the time of surgery. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate median disease-free survival (mDFS) and median OS (mOS). Comparison between treatment groups for pCR were performed using Fisher’s exact test. No multivariable or survival modeling was performed due to limited statistical power in this small cohort. All p values were two-sided. Results: A total of 27 pts were included in the analysis; 16 pts received CT (in the pre-IO era) with 19.2 months (m) median follow up and 11 pts received CT + IO with 15.5m median follow up. Spindle cell histology was reported in 18.5% of tumors, non-spindle cell in 59.3% and 22.2% were not further specified. Most patients (81.5%) had clinical stage 2 disease, 18.5% had stage 3; median tumor size was 3.2 cm. Anthracycline-based CT was administered to 81.5% of pts, and the remainder received non-anthracycline regimens. pCR was achieved in none of the 16 pts (0.0%) who received CT alone and in 3 of 11 pts (27.3%) who received CT + IO (p=0.046). Among the 3 pts who achieved pCR, 2 had non-spindle cell histology and 1 unspecified. All 3 pCR pts had stage 2 disease, received IO and anthracycline, and experienced immune-related adverse events. mDFS was 23.9m in the CT group and 14.6 m in the CT + IO group (p = 0.641), though follow-up duration differed between groups. Among all pts, mDFS was 15.3 m in those who did not achieve pCR and was not reached in those that did (p = 0.226). mOS was not reached in the CT group and was 20.7m in the CT + IO group (p = 0.192). Conclusion: In this small, retrospective real-world analysis of pts with early-stage TN MpBC, the addition of IO to neoadjuvant CT was associated with a higher pCR rate compared to CT alone. Although the observed pCR rate of 27.3% with CT+IO is lower than that reported in KN522 for unselected TNBC, this likely reflects the small sample size and the inherently CT-resistant biology of MpBC. None of the pts in the CT alone group achieved pCR, suggesting that IO may help to overcome CT resistance in MpBC. Differences in mDFS and mOS were not statistically significant, possibly due to limited follow up and sample size. Despite these limitations, our findings highlight the importance of incorporating IO into treatment for MpBC. Future multicenter analyses are ongoing to validate these results in a larger, more diverse population and to further explore the role of histologic subtypes and immune biomarkers in predicting response. Citation Format: N. Dempsey, L. Hodgson, A. Sandoval-Leon, L. Carcas, M. Ahluwalia, C. Wang, H. Kim, P. Advani, R. Mahtani. Pathologic complete response rates in early-stage triple negative metaplastic breast cancer in the neoadjuvant immunotherapy era: a retrospective review [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 PS4-10-07.

1015 Background: T-DXd is an antibody-drug conjugate approved for advanced HER2+/low/ultra-low breast cancer and multiple other solid tumors. T-DXd carries a rare but serious risk of ILD (incidence 12-15%), requiring frequent imaging and symptom evaluation. For > grade (G) 2 ILD, guidelines recommend permanent drug discontinuation. For asymptomatic G1 ILD, drug is held with the option for rechallenge (RC) if imaging findings resolve. Limited data exist on outcomes of RC after ILD in diverse real-world patients (pts). Methods: In this multi-center retrospective study, we analyzed pts with T-DXd related ILD treated from 2017-2024. Pts with ILD were identified via chart/ICD code review. Adjudication of T-DXd related ILD was based on treating providers’ assessment and graded via CTCAE v5. We collected pt demographics, T-DXd and steroid dosing, imaging results, and outcomes after RC. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon rank sum and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: Four centers treated 712 pts with T-DXd, with a 9.1% rate of any grade ILD (n=65). One other center reported only RC data in 18 pts with ILD. In total, 47 pts were RC; 38 after G1 ILD (81%), 9 after G2. Median (med) time to initial ILD was 145 days (d) after 1st dose (interquartile range [IQR] 78-205). Demographics for pts RC are shown in the table. Among 50 pts with G1 ILD, including pts not RC, 28/50 (56%) received steroids for a med of 36d (IQR 27-79). Radiographic improvement was seen at a med of 24d (IQR 19-63) for pts treated with steroids vs 82d (IQR 48-94) without (p<0.01); and a med of 35d (IQR 22-82) for pts RC vs 81d (IQR 68-105) for pts not RC (p=0.01). Among pts with G1 ILD, 38/50 (76%) were RC at a med of 42d (IQR 36-57) from last dose; 23/38 (61%) were dose reduced. After RC, pts remained on T-DXd for a med of 215d (IQR 60-334); 10/38 (26%) developed recurrent ILD (7-G1, 2-G2, 1-G3) at a med of 211d (IQR 47-273) from RC. No statistically significant differences were seen between ILD onset, time to RC, or demographics for pts with recurrent ILD vs not. Of the 9 pts RC after G2 ILD, T-DXd was continued for a med of 129d (IQR 49-171); 2/9 (22%) developed recurrent ILD (1-G2, 1-G3). No G5 toxicity was seen with RC. Conclusions: In this multi-center study, high RC rates were seen after G1 ILD with long duration of clinical benefit. Pts treated with steroids had faster radiographic ILD improvement, highlighting the importance of early steroid use. Among pts RC after G1 ILD, recurrent ILD rates were low, with the majority G1 and no G5 events. Notably, 9 pts with G2 ILD were RC, with a similar rate of recurrent ILD; this must be interpreted cautiously. Our large cohort data further supports the safety of T-DXd RC in diverse real-world settings. RC Pt Characteristics (n=47) n (%) or Median (IQR) Cancer typeBreastGIGyn 43 (91)3 (6)1 (2) Age (yrs) 57 (52-68) Prior # therapy lines in the advanced/metastatic setting 3 (1-5) Renal impairment (CrCl < 60 mL/min) 8 (17)

1083 Background: T-DXd and SG are both FDA-approved treatments for patients (pts) with HER2-low MBC, but little data exists on the sequential use of these ADCs. Methods: In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, we identified pts with HER2-low MBC treated sequentially with both T-DXd and SG in either order, with or without intervening therapies (IntTx), at 5 academic centers between 2020-2023. We previously reported real-world progression free survival (rwPFS) and real-world overall survival (rwOS) by HR-status and ADC sequence order. Here we provide updated rwPFS and rwOS data, as well as new subgroup analyses by age, sites of disease, and use of IntTx between ADCs for HR- and HR+ disease. Results: 84 pts with HER2-low MBC treated with both T-DXd and SG were included, including 56 pts with HR+/HER2-low MBC (66.7%) and 28 pts with HR-/HER2-low MBC (33.3%). Prior to the start of ADC1, median age was 58 yrs and 22 pts were >65 yrs (26.2%), 65 pts (77.4%) had visceral disease, and 14 pts (16.7%) had central nervous system (CNS) disease. 36 pts (42.9%) had an IntTx between ADCs. Table 1 shows updated rwPFS and rwOS data by HR-status and ADC sequence order. For pts with HR+ and HR- MBC, there was no difference in ADC1 rwPFS or ADC2 rwPFS by age ≤65 vs. >65 yr or by presence vs. absence of visceral disease. For pts with HR- MBC, ADC1 rwPFS and rwOS was shorter for pts with CNS disease vs. pts without CNS disease (rwPFS 5.4 mo (n=6) vs. 8.5 mo (n=22), p=0.03; rwOS 11.6 mo vs. 21.1 mo, p<0.01 respectively). For pts with HR+ and HR- MBC, there was no difference in ADC2 rwPFS with or without receipt of IntTx. There was no difference in time to treatment failure for first IntTx vs. ADC2 if no InTx was given. Conclusions: This is one of the largest multicenter cohorts of pts treated with sequential ADCs for HER2-low MBC. Median rwPFS was longer for ADC1 than ADC2 in all subgroups, regardless of HR-status, ADC sequence order, age ≤65 or >65 yr, presence of visceral disease, or use of IntTx. Among pts with HR-/HER2-low MBC, pts with CNS disease had shorter ADC1 rwPFS and rwOS than pts without CNS disease. [Table: see text]

Abstract Introduction: Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is a known adverse event associated with Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs), causing fibrosis of the lung. In the DESTINY-Breast 04, TROPICS-02, and ASCENT trials the rate of ILD/Pneumonitis was 12.1%, 0.4%, and 0% respectively. In these studies, the time to first cross-sectional imaging after initiation of ADC was 6 weeks. However, prior treatment with a topoisomerase-1 inhibitor ADC was not permitted in these studies, so the influence of sequential ADC treatments remains unknown. Here, we aimed to characterize the frequency and management of ILD in sequential use of ADCs in a multi-institution retrospective analysis. Methods: We identified patients (pts) with HR+/HER2-low and HR-/HER2-low MBC who had received both Trastuzumab-deruxtecan (T-DXd) and Sacituzumab govitecan (SG) monotherapy (in either order, with or without intervening therapies) who were treated at five academic centers between 2020-2023. Patients had received treatment with the ADC in either routine clinical treatment or as a prior participant on a clinical trial with ADC monotherapy. Information regarding ILD diagnosis, imaging, timing of onset, peak and resolution along with management information was collected and analyzed. Retrospective assessment of ILD toxicity was graded using CTCAE v5.0, based on available clinical and radiographic reports. Results: 10/60 pts who received ADC therapy in this multi-institutional cohort were diagnosed with ILD (all grades). No differences in age or BMI were observed in those who developed ILD versus those who did not, and 9/10 pts were White, 1 was Asian, with a median age of 59 years (47-79 years). Pertinent history in these pts included 3/10 had a prior smoking history, 8/10 had a prior cardiac or pulmonary comorbidity (including sleep apnea, lung cancer, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, thrombosis, or stroke). Prior to receiving their first ADC, 7/10 patients had metastatic disease to the lung. All 10 patients were diagnosed with ILD during treatment with T-DXd. 4 pts initially received T-DXd, then developed ILD and then upon recovery, subsequently received SG. The remaining 6 pts initially received SG (with no reports of ILD), and then received T-DXd and subsequently developed ILD. In the entire cohort, the median time from ADC initiation to first CT scan was 8 weeks (range 1-22 weeks). Within the cohort that developed ILD, the median time from initiation of T-DXd to first CT scan was also 8 weeks (range 6-13 weeks). The median time to diagnoses of ILD was 3 months after initiation of T-DXd (range 0.4-14.5 months). Dyspnea was the most common presenting symptom in 9/10 pts and at diagnosis of ILD, dyspnea was graded as III in 6/10 pts, II in 3/10 pts, and I in 1/10 pts. Diagnostic evaluation included CT chest (9/10), pulmonary consultation (8/10), pulmonary function testing (2/10), and bronchoscopy (1/10). 4/10 patients presented at their highest-grade toxicity at diagnosis. All patients stopped T-DXd treatment, 7 were hospitalized, 7 required supplemental oxygen, and 8 were prescribed steroids for treatment. Of those receiving steroids, the most common starting dose was prednisone 1 mg/kg and doses ranged from 0.5 mg/kg to 9mg/kg prednisone equivalents. No patient received a secondary immunosuppressive agent. The steroid treatment duration ranged from 1-4 months. None of the 10 pts underwent re-challenge with T-DXd and 3/10 developed grade V ILD (death). Conclusion: We observed a 16.6% incidence of all grade ILD (5% grade V ILD) with T-DXd and 0% with SG. In this small cohort study, we did not observe a clear increased risk for ILD with sequential treatment of ADCs. Practice patterns were consistent with recommended diagnostic evaluation and steroid management. Additional strategies are needed to characterize pts most at risk for developing ILD and to identify situations where re-challenge may be safe. Citation Format: Sarah Premji, Laura Huppert, Reshma Mahtani, Samantha Fisch, Naomi Dempsey, Angelina Raimonde-Taylor, Saya Jacob, Laura Quintal, Jo Chien, Michelle Melisko, Ana Sandoval-Leon, Lauren Carcas, Manmeet Ahluwalia, Natasha Harpalani, Jenna Hoppenworth, Dame Idossa, Ruta Rao, Hope Rugo, Karthik Giridhar. Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) in Sequential Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) use in patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC): A Multi-Institutional experience [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO4-12-06.

Abstract Introduction. T-DXd is FDA-approved for patients (pts) with hormone receptor positive (HR+) or HR- HER2-low (IHC 1+ or 2+, ISH-) MBC and SG is FDA-approved for pts with HR+/HER2- and triple negative MBC. However, several outstanding questions impact the use of these drugs in clinic, including: 1) what is the efficacy and safety of these agents in real-world populations with diverse pt characteristics not well represented in the pivotal phase III trials, and 2) what is the impact of sequential treatment with ADCs on the efficacy and safety of these agents. Methods. In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, we identified pts with HR+/HER2-low and HR-/HER2-low MBC who had received both T-DXd and SG monotherapy (in either order, with or without intervening therapies) treated at 5 academic centers between 2020-2023. Pts received treatment per standard of care or on a clinical trial with ADC monotherapy. We describe pt demographic and clinical characteristics, treatment history, key safety parameters, and response and survival data by HR+ status and ADC sequence order. Results. Sixty pts with MBC treated sequentially with T-DXd and SG were included in this analysis, including 45 pts with HR+/HER2-low MBC (75.0%) and 15 pts with HR-/HER2-low MBC (25.0%). Most pts were female (n=59; 98.3%), non-Hispanic (n=49, 81.7%), and white (n=43, 71.7%). Median age at start of ADC #1 was 56.6 years (range 23-82). Prior to treatment with ADC #1, most pts had visceral disease (n=45, 75.0%) and 16 (26.7%) had central nervous system metastases. Among pts with HR+/HER2-low MBC, median time from MBC diagnosis to treatment with ADC #1 was 49.0 months, with 4 median lines of prior therapy in the metastatic setting (2 endocrine, 2 chemo). Approximately half of the HR+ pts received T-DXd prior to SG (n=22, 48.9%; median 3.0 prior lines of therapy for MBC, range 1-9) while the other half received SG prior to T-DXd (n=23, 51.1%; median 4.5 prior lines of therapy for MBC, range 1-10). 44% (n=20) received an intervening therapy between ADCs. For HR+ pts who received T-DXd prior to SG, response and survival data is as follows for T-DXd and SG respectively: Overall response rate (ORR) [54.5% and 21.1%], time to next treatment (TTNT) [4.3 mo and 1.6 mo], and real-world overall survival (rwOS) [19.8 mo and 4.9 mo]. For HR+ pts who received SG prior to T-DXd, response and survival data is as follows for SG and T-DXd respectively: ORR [78.3% and 42.9%], TTNT [8.6 mo and 2.8 mo], and rwOS [22.3 mo and 7.3 mo]. Among pts with HR-/HER2-low MBC, median time from MBC diagnosis to treatment with ADC #1 was 8.2 months with 2 median lines of prior therapy in the metastatic setting (2 chemotherapy); 66.7% (n=10) received prior immunotherapy. Most HR- pts received SG prior to T-DXD (n=14, 93.3%) and 40.0% (n=6) received an intervening therapy between ADCs. For HR- pts who received SG prior to T-DXd, response and survival data is as follows for SG and T-DXd respectively: ORR [64.3% and 38.5%], TTNT [6.2 mo and 2.7 mo, and rwOS [15.7 mo and 6.5 mo]. In terms of key safety parameters during treatment with T-DXd, 13.3% of pts (8/60) required a dose reduction. 16.7% (10/60) were diagnosed with interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis of any grade including 3 pts with grade 3-4 ILD (5.0%) and 3 pts with grade 5 ILD (5.0%). During treatment with SG, 40.0% of pts (24/60) required a dose reduction. 83.3% (50/60) received growth factor support (24 pts primary prophylaxis; 26 pts secondary prophylaxis); 9 pts (15%) required treatment delay due to neutropenia. Conclusion. This study represents the largest multicenter series to date of pts treated with sequential ADCs for HR+/HER2-low or HR-/HER2-low. ORR was higher and TTNT was longer for ADC #1 than ADC #2 in all subgroups, regardless of HR+ status and ADC sequence order. An additional ~30 pts will be reported at time of final analysis. Future prospective studies are planned to further clarify the efficacy and safety of sequential ADC use and to identify biomarkers of response and resistance. Key demographic, clinical and treatment characteristics in pts with HR+ and HR- HER2-low MBC treated sequentially with T-DXd and SG (in either order, with or without intervening therapies) Abbreviations: T-DXd (trastuzumab deruxtecan), SG (sacituzumab govitecan), MBC (metastatic breast cancer), ADC (antibody drug conjugate), HR (hormone receptor), HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2), CNS (central nervous system), ET (endocrine therapy), ORR (overall response rate), TTNT (time to next treatment), rwOS (real world overall survival), CI (confidence interval) * Several pts on ADC #2 with ongoing treatment and first scan pending, hence smaller denominator for response assessment Citation Format: Laura Huppert, Reshma Mahtani, Samantha Fisch, Naomi Dempsey, Sarah Premji, Angelina Raimonde-Taylor, Saya Jacob, Laura Quintal, Jo Chien, Michelle Melisko, Ana Sandoval-Leon, Lauren Carcas, Manmeet Ahluwalia, Natasha Harpalani, Jenna Hoppenworth, Dame Idossa, Ruta Rao, Karthik Giridhar, Hope Rugo. Multicenter retrospective cohort study of the sequential use of the antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) and sacituzumab govitecan (SG) in patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer (MBC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PS08-04.