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Trapani, Dario

0000-0003-1672-9560

Mayo Clinic

European Institute of Oncology

Citations 7

Abstract PS2-08-14: Chemokine signatures improve PD-L1-based prediction of pembrolizumab response in triple-negative breast cancer
Deshmukh, S. Kumar, Wu, S., Xiu, Joanne , Sledge, G. W., Trapani, D., Leone, J., Chumsri, S., Lustberg, M. B., Hong, C., Yao, S., Ernstoff, M., Paulos, C. M., Lesinski, G. B., Madabhushi, A., Badve, S., Kalinsky, K., Kalinski, P., Gandhi, Shipra , Trapani, Dario , Leone, J. P. , Chumsri, S., Lustberg, Maryam , Hong, Chi‐Chen , Takabe, Kazuaki , Opyrchal, Mateusz , Chalasani, Pavani , Paulos, Chrystal M. , Lesinski, Gregory B , Badve, Sunil , Kalinsky, K. M.

Clinical Cancer Research | February 20, 2026 | Volume: 32 | Issue: 4_Supplement | Pages: PS2-08-14-PS2-08-14

10.1158/1557-3265.sabcs25-ps2-08-14 Get It

Abstract Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive yet immunogenic subtype of breast cancer (BC) and the only one with FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) - pembrolizumab. Currently, PD-L1 (22C3) is the companion biomarker for predicting pembrolizumab benefit, but its utility is limited by spatial/temporal heterogeneity, assay variability, and modest correlation with treatment response. Chemokines such as CXCL9, CXCL10, and CCL5 recruit CD8+ T cells into the tumor microenvironment and have been associated with improved response to ICI, but their predictive value alongside PD-L1 remains unclear. Here, we examined the relationship between these chemokines, PD-L1, and pembrolizumab efficacy in TNBC. Methods: We analyzed 3662 TNBC tumors profiled by NGS (592, NextSeq; WES/WTS, NovaSeq; Caris Life Sciences). Immune cells were estimated using WTS deconvolution (Quantiseq). PD-L1 positivity was defined as >10% CPS (PharmDx 22C3). CXCL9/CXCL10/CCL5-high (H) and -low (L) TNBC were classified by RNA expression above or below 50th percentile. Real-world median overall survival (mOS) was derived from insurance claims and calculated from start of pembrolizumab to last contact using Kaplan-Meier. Statistical significance was assessed by chi-square and Mann-Whitney U with multiple comparison adjustments (q<0.05). Results: TNBC expressed higher levels of CXCL9, CXCL10, and CCL5 (N = 3662, median TPM: 5.3, 14.8, and 15.1) compared to HER2+ (N = 1344; 4.8, 10.1, 10.6) and HR+HER2- BC (N = 6097; 2.7, 6.6, 9.4), all q<0.05. Moderate correlations were observed between PD-L1 CPS and each chemokine (r = 0.41, p<.01). PD-L1-positive tumors had better mOS (24.3 months (m) vs 18.6 m, HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.6-0.92, p=0.007) compared to PD-L1-negative TNBC post-pembrolizumab. Among PD-L1-negative tumors, those with CXCL9-H had better mOS (26.9 m vs 15.8 m for CXCL9-L, HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.45-0.82, p=0.001) post-pembrolizumab. Among PD-L1-positive tumors, CXCL10-H and CCL5-H was associated with improved mOS (CXCL10-H: 25.7 m vs. 20.7 m for CXC10-L, p = 0.03; CCL5-H: 26.7 vs. 18.5 m for CCL5-L, p = 0.03) post-pembrolizumab. PD-L1 negative CXCL9-H, PD-L1 positive CXCL10-H and PD-L1 positive CCL5-H groups showed higher infiltration of CD8+ T cell, B cells, M1/M2 macrophages, Tregs. They also exhibited higher T cell inflamed score, IFNy score and MAPK activation score vs. CXCL9-L, CXCL10-L and CCL5-L groups (Table). Conclusions: In TNBC, a chemokine signature comprising CXCL9, CXCL10 and CCL5 refines PD-L1 based prediction of pembrolizumab benefit. Specifically, high CXCL10 or CCL5 expression in PD-L1-positive tumors, and high CXCL9 expression in PD-L1-negative tumors, were associated with improved survival post pembrolizumab and immune-rich microenvironment. These findings support the use of chemokine profiling to complement PD-L1 and enhance patient selection for ICI therapy in TNBC. Citation Format: S. Gandhi, S. Deshmukh, S. Wu, J. Xiu, G. Sledge Jr., D. Trapani, J. Leone, S. Chumsri, M. Lustberg, C. Hong, S. Yao, K. Takabe, M. Ernstoff, M. Opyrchal, P. Chalasani, C. Paulos, G. Lesinski, A. Madabhushi, S. Badve, K. Kalinsky, P. Kalinski. Chemokine signatures improve PD-L1-based prediction of pembrolizumab response in triple-negative breast cancer [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 PS2-08-14.
Abstract PS4-01-13: Comparative efficacy of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) in male versus female breast cancer across the spectrum of HER2 expression
Trapani, D., Deshmukh, S. Kumar, Wu, S. K., Xiu, J., Lin, N. U., Curigliano, G., Spanheimer, P. M., Chumsri, S., Graff, S. L., Lustberg, M., Sledge, G. W., Tolaney, S. M., Leone, J. P. , Trapani, Dario , Wu, S., Xiu, Joanne, Curigliano, Giuseppe , Gandhi, Shipra , Graff, Stephanie L. , Lustberg, Maryam , Tolaney, Sara M.

Clinical Cancer Research | February 17, 2026 | Volume: 32 | Issue: 4_Supplement | Pages: PS4-01-13-PS4-01-13

10.1158/1557-3265.sabcs25-ps4-01-13 Get It

Abstract Background: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are increasingly used in the treatment of breast cancer due to their superior efficacy compared to conventional chemotherapy. The management of male breast cancer is largely extrapolated from clinical data in females and evidence regarding the efficacy of ADCs in men remains limited. This study aimed to compare survival outcomes between male and female breast cancer patients treated with ADCs across the spectrum of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression. Methods: We included total of 2,954 (Male: 34, Female: 2,920 breast cancer samples) from patients who underwent treatment with ADCs. We excluded patients with triple-negative breast cancer status due to the rarity of this subtype in males and the worse prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer, so that the cohorts would be more homogeneous without overrepresentation of triple-negative breast cancer in females. We categorized patients by HER2 status as: HER2-null (if there was 0% stain on HER2 IHC), HER2-ultra low (if HER2 IHC was 0 but with stain 1-10%), HER2-low (if HER2 IHC was 1+ or 2+ with a negative chromogenic in situ hybridization [CISH] assay), and HER2-positive (if HER2 IHC was 3+ or 2+ with a positive CISH assay). Real-world median overall survival was derived from insurance claims and calculated from the start of first ADC with either trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) or trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) or sacituzumab govitecan (SG) to last contact using Kaplan-Meier. Statistical significance was assessed using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U. Results: The distribution of sex by HER2 expression group was: HER2-null: 8 males vs 612 females; HER2-ultra low 6 males vs 467 females; HER2-low 11 males vs 903 females; HER2-positive 9 males vs 938 females. Median survival from treatment initiation with either T-DXd or SG in the HER2-null cohort was 21.31 months in males vs 15.72 months in females (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.33 - 2.01, p=0.67); in the HER2-ultra low cohort was 17.73 months in males vs 14.47 months in females (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.26 - 2.63, p=0.76); in the HER2-low cohort was 11.08 months in males vs 18.62 months in females (HR 1.53, 95% CI 0.63 - 3.7; p=0.34). In the HER2-positive cohort, 5/9 males (55.5%) and 544/938 females (58%) were treated with T-DXd. Median survival from treatment initiation with either T-DXd or T-DM1 in the HER2-positive cohort was 36.55 months in males vs 46.52 months in females (HR 1.77, 95% CI 0.84 - 3.74, p=0.12). Conclusions: In this study, survival appears to be comparable between males and females with breast cancer across the spectrum of HER2 expression when both are treated with ADCs, although the survival in the HER2-positive cohort appears numerically lower in males, consistent with data on HER2-positive MaBC. An important limitation is the small sample size of the male breast cancer cohorts, and the lack of a categorization of HER2 in HR+ vs HR-, for the small MaBC sample size. However, to our knowledge this is the first analysis evaluating outcomes of men treated with ADCs across the spectrum of HER2 expression. Citation Format: D. Trapani, S. Deshmukh, S. Wu, J. Xiu, N. Lin, G. Curigliano, P. Spanheimer, S. Gandhi, S. Chumsri, S. Graff, M. Lustberg, G. Sledge Jr, S. Tolaney, J. Leone. Comparative efficacy of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) in male versus female breast cancer across the spectrum of HER2 expression [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 PS4-01-13.
Chemokines as predictive biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).
Gandhi, Shipra , Deshmukh, Sachin Kumar , Wu, Sharon , Xiu, Joanne , Lesinski, Gregory B., Paulos, Chrystal M. , Czerniecki, Brian J. , Chumsri, Saranya , Leone, José Pablo , Kaliński, Paweł , Lesinski, Gregory B , Chalasani, Pavani , Yao, Song , Ernstoff, Marc S. , Trapani, Dario , Lustberg, Maryam B. , Sledge, George W. , Kalinsky, Kevin M.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 1106-1106

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.1106 Get It

1106 Background: TNBC, although an aggressive breast cancer (BC) subtype, is highly immunogenic and the only BC subtype where the ICI pembrolizumab is approved. However, predictive biomarkers for pembrolizumab benefit are limited. The chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10 attract CD8 + T cells into the tumor microenvironment (TME) and are associated with chemotherapy benefit, but little is known about their role in prediciting pembrolizumab benefit in TNBC. We investigated the association of CXCL9 , CXCL10 and their cognate receptor CXCR3 with TME and ICI efficacy. Methods: 3,038 TNBC samples were analyzed via NGS (592-gene panel, NextSeq; WES/WTS, NovaSeq; Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ). Tumor mutational burden (TMB) totaled somatic mutations per tumor (high > 10 mt/MB). Immune cell fractions were estimated using WTS deconvolution (Quantiseq). CXCL9 / CXCL10 / CXCR3 -high (H) and -low (L) tumors were classified by RNA expression above or below the 50th percentile. Real-world overall survival (OS) was derived from insurance claims and calculated from start of pembrolizumab to last contact using Kaplan-Meier. Statistical significance was assessed using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U with multiple comparison adjustments (q < .05). Results: TNBC expressed higher levels of CXCL9 and CXCL10 (median (TPM): 5.3 and 14.7) compared to N = 1,082 HER2+ (4.8 and 10.3, p < 0.05) and N = 4,918 HR+HER2- (2.7 and 7, q < .05) BC. CXCR3 expression was higher in TNBC compared to HR+HER2- (1.9 vs 1.7, q < .05), but no difference when compared to HER2+ (1.9 vs 2, q = 0.97) BC. CXCL9 / CXCL10 / CXCR3 -H TNBC had higher median OS post pembrolizumab [ CXCL9 -H vs -L: 26.5 vs 15.7 months (mo), HR: 0.65 (95% CI 0.5-0.84); CXCL10 -H vs -L: 26.0 vs 20.6 mo, HR 0.74 (0.57-0.95); CXCR3 -H vs -L: 32.6 vs 18.3 mo, HR 0.68 (0.52-0.88), all p < 0.05 ]. CXCL9 -H, CXCL10 -H and CXCR3 -H had higher PD-L1 positivity (22C3), TMB high, higher T cell inflamed score, TP53 mutations, elevated B and CD8 + T cells infiltration, but not neutrophils, and higher expression of immune checkpoint genes (Table). Conclusions: High CXCL9 / CXCL10 / CXCR3 expression is associated with longer survival in patients with TNBC post pembrolizumab, and characterized by an immune-enriched TME. Further investigation is needed to evaluate this chemokine axis in TNBC and its potential as a therapeutic target to enhance ICI efficacy. TME characteristics by CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCR3 expression. CXCL9 CXCL10 CXCR3 High Low q-value High Low q-value High Low q-value PD-L1 % 54 14 <.05 54 14.7 <.05 49 19 <.05 TMB high % 14.3 8 <.05 12.6 9.7 <.05 12.4 9.8 <.05 B cell (median %) 4.4 3.5 <.05 4.3 3.6 <.05 5 3.4 <.05 CD8+T cell (median %) 1.2 0 <.05 1 0 <.05 1.3 0 <.05 Neutrophil (median %) 4.2 4.5 <.05 4.2 4.4 <.05 4.2 4.3 0.2 T cell inflamed score 100 -84 <.05 98 -84 <.05 108 -100 <.05 CTLA4 (median TPM) 3.2 0.7 <.05 3 0.8 <.05 3.4 0.7 <.05 LAG3 (median TPM) 6.6 2.1 <.05 6.9 2 <.05 6.8 2 <.05 TP53 mutation % 88 81 <.05 90.5 78.6 <.05 86 83 0.08
Multiomic profiling of LRRC15 in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).
Deshmukh, Sachin Kumar , Wu, Sharon , Xiu, Joanne , Lopes, Gilberto , Valdes, Frances, King, Traci, Hurley, Judith , Salazar, Ana Silvia, Sucre, Santiago , Advani, Pooja , Coelho, Priscila Barreto, Morgenstern‐Kaplan, Dan , George, Sophia , Trapani, Dario , Jayachandran, Priya , Lustberg, Maryam B. , Sledge, George W.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 1098-1098

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.1098 Get It

1098 Background: Leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 15 ( LRRC15) has emerged as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for various cancers due to its high expression in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and role in tumor progression. High LRRC15 expression is associated with poor prognosis in TNBC. This study aims to define the multiomic profile of LRRC15 in TNBC. Methods: 3,038 TNBC samples were analyzed via Next-Generation Sequencing (592, NextSeq; Whole Exome Sequencing, NovaSeq) and Whole Transcriptome Sequencing (NovaSeq; Caris Life Sciences, AZ). Immune cell fractions were estimated using WTS deconvolution (Quantiseq). Stromal cell abundance in the tumor microenvironment (TME) was estimated from RNA expression profiles using MCP Counter. LRRC15 -high (H) and -low (L) tumors were classified by RNA expression above or below the 25th percentile. Real-world overall survival (OS) and treatment-related survival were derived from insurance claims and calculated from tissue collection or treatment initiation to last contact using Kaplan-Meier. Statistical significance was assessed using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests with multiple comparison adjustments (q < .05). Results: LRRC15 -H TNBC tumors had higher frequency of PIK3CA (25.9% vs 16.8), PIK3R1 (6.2% vs 1.6%), PTEN (11.3% vs 5.8%), but lower frequency of RB1 (7.8% vs 12.1%) and KMT2D (2% vs 4.4%) compared to LRRC15 -L, all q < 0.05. LRRC15 -H had higher PD-L1 positivity (32.3% vs 24.5%, q < 0.05). Analysis of immune cells showed LRRC15 -H TNBC had higher infiltration of B cells (4.2% vs 3.5%), M1 macrophages (4.3% vs 2%), M2 macrophages (4% vs 2.5%), Tregs (1.9% vs 1.1%), neutrophils (4.9% vs 3.9%), CD8 + T cells (0.4% vs 0.1%), but lower dendritic cells (2.5% vs 3%), all q < 0.05. LRRC15 -H tumors had greater abundance of CAFs (575.6 vs 93.78, 6.14 fold change (FC)) and endothelial cells (7.3 vs 3.7, 1.97 FC), all q < 0.05. LRRC15 -H had higher T-cell inflamed score (71.5 vs -77) and IFNg score (-0.14 vs -1.72), all q < 0.05. LRRC15 -H tumors had higher expression of immune checkpoint genes ( CD274, PDCD1, PDCD1LG2, CTLA4, LAG3, HAVCR2, FOXP3, IDO1, TNFSF14, TIGIT, BTLA, CEACAM1, CD47, CD80, CD86, CD160, CD274 ; FC 1.2-2.5, q < 0.05). LRRC15 -H was associated with better OS (mOS: 24.7 vs 13.6 months; HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.53-0.7, p < 0.001). Post-pembrolizumab survival was longer for LRRC15 -H patients (mOS: 27.2 vs 19.4 months; HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.42-0.89, p = 0.01). Conclusions: LRRC15 -H TNBC exhibited better outcomes with pembrolizumab, likely due to higher immune cell fractions and increased CAFs. These findings highlight TNBC heterogeneity and position LRRC15 as a potential biomarker for tumor stratification, a possible adverse prognostic biomarker and a positive predictive biomarker. Ongoing phase I trials targeting LRRC15 show promise. Combining LRRC15 -targeted therapies with immunotherapy may improve TNBC outcomes, warranting further validation in breast cancer models.
Abstract PS13-09: Molecular and immunological landscape of sex-based differences in breast cancer: a distinct disease in men
Deshmukh, Sachin Kumar , Wu, Sharon , Xiu, Joanne , Walker, Phil, Advani, Pooja , Nabhan, Chadi , Tolaney, Sara M. , Leone, José Pablo , Trapani, Dario , Lin, Nancy U. , Curigliano, Giuseppe , Graff, Stephanie L. , Sledge, George W.

Cancer Research | May 2, 2024 | Volume: 84 | Issue: 9_Supplement | Pages: PS13-09-PS13-09

10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs23-ps13-09 Get It

Abstract Background: Breast cancer (BC) in males represents a rare clinical entity, accounting about 1% of all breast malignancies diagnosed every year. Emerging evidence suggest that a gender medicine approach is critical in the research and treatment of cancer, based on the possibility that sex hormones, molecular differences, immune system, and other factors might play a crucial role in disease management. Here, we characterized molecular and immune differences between male BC (MaBC) and female BC (FeBC) across BC subtypes. Methods: 10,728 BC samples (male, n=137; female, n=10591) were analysed by next-generation sequencing (592, NextSeq; WES, NovaSeq), Whole Transcriptome Sequencing (WTS; NovaSeq) (Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ). Tumor mutational burden (TMB) totaled somatic mutations per tumor (high ≥10 mt/MB). Microsatellite-instability (MSI) was tested by IHC and NGS. Immune cell fractions were calculated by deconvolution of WTS: Quantiseq. Real world treatment-associated survival was extracted from insurance claims and calculated from sample collection to last contact using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Statistical significance was determined using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U test with p-values adjusted for multiple comparisons (q &lt; 0.05). Results: MaBC represented higher HR+/HER2+ (6.61% vs 4.76%), HR+/HER2- (80.17% vs 60.66%) and lower HR-/HER2+ (1.65% vs 3.5%), TNBC (11.57% vs 31.08%) molecular subtypes compared to FeBC. Compared to HR+/HER2+ FeBC, MaBC had higher frequency of CHEK2, RAD51B, TSC1 mutation (Table 1) and RARα (100% vs 13.61%), DAXX (10% vs 0.16%) copy number alteration (all p &lt; 0.05). HR+/HER2- MaBC had higher frequency of BRCA2, FOXA1, CREBBP, FLCN mutation (Table 1), and FGF3 (21.62% vs 14.31%), MRE11 (1.75% vs 0.23%), MEN1 (1.75% vs 0.13%) copy number alteration, but lower frequency of TP53, CHD1, ESR1 and AKT1 mutation (Table 1) (all p &lt; 0.05). HR-/HER2+ MaBC had higher frequency of BRCA1 (p &lt; 0.05) mutation (Table 1). Male TNBC had higher frequency of CDKN2A, KMT2D, STK11, ASXL1, MYC, NF2, PPM1D, WT1, EPHA2, AMER1, ARHGAP35 mutation (Table 1) and BCL6 (4.35% vs 0.05%) copy number alteration, but lower frequency of TP53 mutation (all p &lt; 0.05) (Table 1). MaBC had higher AR protein expression (82.5% vs 60%) but lower frequency of fusion variant-AR (0.7% vs 3.9%) (all p &lt; 0.05) compared to FeBC. There was no difference in TMB high (7.1% vs 8.4%, p = 0.5) and dMMR/MSI-H (1.8% vs 0.8%, p = 0.1). Analysis of inferred immune cell infiltrates showed that MaBC had increased immune cell infiltration of B cells (5.8% vs 5.3%) and M2 Mφ (4.9% vs 4.3%), but decreased infiltration of DC (2% vs 2.6%) (all p &lt; 0.05). MaBC had increased expression of MHC class II gene HLA-DQB2 (FC: 1.3), but decreased expression of immune-related genes CD274 (FC: 1.2), IDO (FC: 1.4), IL1A (FC: 1.3) and IL12A (FC: 1.5) (all p &lt; 0.05). Correlative analyses with survival will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: These data indicate that MaBC has a differential mutational frequency, copy number alteration, immune gene expression and immune cell infiltration and overall survival compared to their FeBC counterparts. A better understanding of these sex-based differences with additional research may help inform disease outcomes, provide a rationale for tailored therapeutic approaches and design future treatments. Table 1. Mutation frequency in male and female breast cancer Citation Format: Dario Trapani, Sachin Deshmukh, Sharon Wu, Joanne Xiu, Phil Walker, Pooja Advani, Nancy Lin, Giuseppe Curigliano, Stephanie Graff, Chadi Nabhan, George Sledge Jr, Sara Tolaney, Jose Leone. Molecular and immunological landscape of sex-based differences in breast cancer: a distinct disease in men [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 PS13-09.
Abstract PO4-24-02: Comprehensive Characterization of BCL2 Family Genes in Metaplastic Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Advani, Pooja , Deshmukh, Sachin Kumar , Wu, Sharon , Xiu, Joanne , Radovich, Milan , Torres, Evanthia T. Roussos , Chanan‐Khan, Asher , Andring, Jacob T. , Farrell, Alex Patrick , Sledge, George W. , Trapani, Dario , Graff, Stephanie L.

Cancer Research | May 2, 2024 | Volume: 84 | Issue: 9_Supplement | Pages: PO4-24-02-PO4-24-02

10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs23-po4-24-02 Get It

Abstract Background: Metaplastic Breast Cancer (MBC) is rare (0.2-5%), aggressive form of BC characterized by chemotherapy resistance and has worse outcomes in comparison to other BC subtypes. Resistance to chemotherapeutic agents is related to defects in intact intrinsic apoptosis pathway and the BCL2 family of proteins are the central regulators of this pathway. Majority of MBC have triple-negative receptor status and have no standard therapeutic approach and validated prognostic markers. Here, we examine the association of BCL2 family pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes expression with metaplastic TNBC (MTNBC) patient survival. Methods: 13,036 BC samples (MTNBC, n=102; metaplastic non-TNBC, n=20) were analyzed by next-generation sequencing (592, NextSeq; WES, NovaSeq), Whole Transcriptome Sequencing (WTS; NovaSeq) (Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ). A total of 10 pro-apoptotic (BAX, BAK1, BID, BAD, BIK, BCL2L11, BMF, HRK, PMAIP1, BBC3) and 6 anti-apoptotic (BCL2, BCL2L1, BCL2L2, MCL1, BCL2A1, BCL2L10) BCL2 family genes were analyzed. MTNBC with PMAIP1-high(H) and -low(L) expression was classified by top and bottom quartile, respectively. Pathway enrichment was determined by GSEA (Broad Inst). Real world overall survival (OS) was extracted from insurance claims and calculated from tissue collection to last contact using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Statistical significance was determined using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U test with p-values adjusted for multiple comparisons (q &lt; 0.05). Results: MTNBC had enrichment of apoptosis (NES: 1.4, FDR: 0.05), glycolysis (NES: 1.48, FDR: 0.03), PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling (NES: 1.43, FDR: 0.05), P53 (NES: 1.51, FDR: 0.06), NOTCH signaling (NES: 1.39, FDR: 0.05), TGFβ signaling (NES: 1.41, FDR: 0.05), WNTβ catenin signaling (NES: 1.41, FDR: 0.05) and IL2/STAT5 signaling (NES: 1.33, FDR: 0.09) pathways compared to metaplastic non-TNBC. MTNBC had higher expression of BCL2 pro-apoptotic genes BAX (Fold Change (FC): 1.6), BAK1 (FC: 1.3), BID (FC: 2), BAD (FC: 1.6), BCL2L11 (FC: 2.5) and BBC3 (FC: 1.5), and anti-apoptotic genes BCL2L1 (FC: 1.6) and BCL2L2 (FC: 1.3) (all p &lt; 0.05) compared to metaplastic non-TNBC. Higher PMAIP1 gene expression was associated with worse MTNBC patient survival (mOS: 14.3 month; HR: 0.37; 95% CI 0.19-1.41; p=0.002) (Table 1), but not in metaplastic non-TNBC (mOS: Inf; HR: 1.96; 95% CI 0.64-6.02; p=0.23). PMAIP1-H MTNBC had higher expression of immune checkpoint genes CD274 (FC: 2.8), PDCD1 (FC: 2.2), TIM3 (FC: 1.8), LAG3 (FC: 2.1) and IDO1 (FC: 5.7) (all p &lt; 0.05), compared to PMAIP1-L MTNBC. PMAIP1-H MTNBC had higher frequency of IHC-PD-L1 positivity (68.4% vs 14.3%, p &lt; 0.05). PMAIP1-H MTNBC had higher expression of stem cell related genes CD44 (FC: 1.7), ALDH1A2 (FC: 2.2), ALDH1A3 (FC: 2.6), SOX2 (FC: 5.21) and NANOG (FC: 2.13) (all p &lt; 0.05) compared to PMAIP1-L MTNBC. Conclusion: This is the first comprehensive analysis of expression and prognostic role of BCL2 family proteins in MBC. Our data suggest a strong association of higher expression of PMAIP1 with worse MTNBC patient survival, potentially attributed to higher immune checkpoint, stem cell-related genes expression, and higher frequency of PD-L1 positivity in PMAIP1-H tumors. These findings indicate PMAIP1 as a potential prognostic biomarker candidate in MTNBC but needs further validation in large prospective studies Table 1. Overall survival of metaplastic TNBC patient based on BCL2 family gene expression. Citation Format: Pooja Advani, Sachin Deshmukh, Sharon Wu, Jacob Andring, Joanne Xiu, Alex Farrell, Milan Radovich, George Sledge Jr, Dario Trapani, Evanthia Roussos Torres, Stephanie Graff, Asher Chanan-Khan. Comprehensive Characterization of BCL2 Family Genes in Metaplastic Triple Negative Breast Cancer [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 PO4-24-02.
Abstract PD7-03: Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium Trial 022: Neratinib and Trastuzumab-Emtansine for HER2+ Breast Cancer Brain Metastases (BCBM)
Ren, Siyang , Tayob, Nabihah , Gelman, Rebecca , Davis, Raechel , Pereslete, Alyssa , Attaya, Victoria , Cotter, Christine M., Chen, Wendy Y. , Santa-Maria, Cesar Augusto, Poznak, Catherine Van , Melisko, Michelle , O’Sullivan, Ciara C. , Ashai, Nadia , Rauf, Yasmeen , Nangia, Julie R. , Savoie, Jennifer, Burns, Robyn, Rimawi, Mothaffar F. , Krop, Ian E. , Rimawi, Mothaffar , Freedman, Rachel A. , Smith, Karen L. , Moy, Beverly , Brufsky, Adam , Trapani, Dario , Wolff, Antonio C. , Winer, Eric P. , Lin, Nancy U.

Cancer Research | March 2, 2023 | Volume: 83 | Issue: 5_Supplement | Pages: PD7-03-PD7-03

10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs22-pd7-03 Get It

Abstract PURPOSE: Treatment options for patients (pts) with HER2+ BCBM remain limited. We previously reported that neratinib monotherapy is associated with a volumetric central nervous system objective response rate (CNS ORR) of 8%, whereas the combination of neratinib and capecitabine resulted in a volumetric CNS ORR of 49% (in lapatinib-naïve pts). Preclinical data suggest that neratinib may overcome resistance to trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) and that the combination has potential CNS efficacy. Here, we report results of neratinib plus T-DM1 in pts with HER2+ BCBM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective, multicenter, phase II study, pts with measurable HER2+ BCBM received neratinib 160 mg orally once daily plus T-DM1 3.6 mg/kg IV every 21 days in three parallel-enrolling cohorts. Cohort 4A enrolled pts with previously untreated brain metastases. Cohort 4B enrolled pts with BCBM progressing after prior local CNS-directed therapy without prior exposure to T-DM1. Cohort 4C enrolled pts with BCBM progressing after prior local CNS-directed therapy who had previous exposure to T-DM1. Diarrhea prophylaxis with colestipol and loperamide was required during cycle 1. Cohorts 4A and 4B were single-stage with a planned enrollment of 20 patients; cohort 4C had a two-stage design, with a requirement for at least 1 of the first 9 pts to achieve a response in order to enroll a total of 24 patients. The primary endpoint was Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology-Brain Metastases (RANO BM) in each cohort separately. Correlative studies included patient-reported outcomes (PROs) for gastrointestinal toxicity. RESULTS: We enrolled 6, 17, and 21 patients to cohorts 4A, 4B, and 4C, during 11/07/2018 – 11/01/2021. Enrollment was stopped prematurely due to slow accrual. Across Cohorts 4A-4C, the median number of prior lines of chemotherapy prior to enrollment was 2 (range 1-10); 25% received prior lapatinib and no patients received prior tucatinib. In cohorts 4B and 4C (prior CNS-treated cohorts), 33% had prior CNS surgery and &gt;94% had prior CNS radiation. Among evaluable patients, CNS ORR in cohorts 4A (n=6), 4B (n=16), and 4C (n=21) was 50.0% (95% CI 18.8- 81.2%), 25.0% (95% CI 8.3-52.6%), and 38.1% (95% CI 19.0-61.3%), respectively. Median (range) number of cycles completed for 4A, 4B, and 4C was 4.5 (1-15), 4 (range 0-49+), and 6 (0-23); three patients on Cohort 4B remain on protocol therapy (cycles 14, 45, and 49). The overall survival at 12-months for cohorts 4A, 4B, and 4C was 83.3% (95% CI, 58.3-100%), 86.2% (95% CI 70-100%), and 83.3% (95% CI 67.6-100%). Diarrhea was the most common grade 3 toxicity (19.0–33.3% across cohorts); one grade 4 liver function event occurred in cohort 4B. Updated efficacy results will be reported at the meeting; PRO analyses are ongoing. CONCLUSION: Intracranial activity was observed for the combination of neratinib plus T-DM1 across all three enrolled cohorts, including those with prior T-DM1 exposure, suggesting synergistic effects of this treatment combination. Our data provide additional evidence for consideration of neratinib-based combinations in pts with HER2+ BCBM. Citation Format: Rachel Freedman, Siyang Ren, Nabihah Tayob, Rebecca Gelman, Karen L. Smith, Raechel Davis, Alyssa Pereslete, Victoria Attaya, Christine Cotter, Wendy Y. Chen, Cesar Augusto Santa-Maria, Catherine Van Poznak, Beverly Moy, Adam M. Brufsky, Michelle Melisko, Ciara C. O’Sullivan, Nadia Ashai, Yasmeen Rauf, Julie Nangia, Dario Trapani, Jennifer Savoie, Robyn Burns, Antonio C. Wolff, Eric Winer, Mothaffar Rimawi, Ian Krop, Nancy U. Lin. Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium Trial 022: Neratinib and Trastuzumab-Emtansine for HER2+ Breast Cancer Brain Metastases (BCBM) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr PD7-03.