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Connolly, Roisín M.

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0056-1070

Mayo Clinic

University College Cork

Citations 18

EA1211: interim FDG-PET/CT for predicting response of HER2-positive breast cancer to neoadjuvant therapy (DIRECT trial)
Hennessy, Maeve, Gatsonis, Constantine, Jacene, Heather A. , Connolly, Roisín M. , Burnette, Brian L., Stringer-Reasor, Erica , Taurone, Alexander, O’Sullivan, Ciara C. , Le‐Petross, Huong T. , Sepulveda, Karla A., Mankoff, David A. , O'Sullivan, Ciara C, Mankoff, David A , Romanoff, Justin , Stearns, Vered , Fowler, Amy M. , Tang, Shou-Ching , DeMichele, Angela , Wolff, Antonio C.

Future Oncology | October 6, 2025 | Volume: 21 | Issue: 26 | Pages: 3377-3384

10.1080/14796694.2025.2567840 Get It

Multiplex Spatial Proteomic Analysis of HER2–Positive Breast Tumors Reveals Unique Molecular and Immunologic Features Associated With Treatment Response
Hennessy, Maeve , Cimino‐Mathews, Ashley , Carter, Jodi M. , Kachergus, Jennifer M., Ma, Yaohua , Leal, Jeffrey P. , Sólnes, Lilja B. , Denbow, Rita , Abramson, Vandana G. , Carey, Lisa A. , Rimawi, Mothaffar F. , Specht, Jennifer M. , Storniolo, Anna Maria , Valero, Vicente , Krop, Ian E. , Perez, Edith A. , Huang, Chiung‐Yu , Thompson, E. Aubrey, Connolly, Roisín M. , Hennessy, Maeve A , Rimawi, Mothaffar , Specht, Jennifer , Vaklavas, Christos , Winer, Eric , Krop, Ian E , Wolff, Antonio C , Wahl, Richard L , Huang, Chiung-Yu , Stearns, Vered , Connolly, Roisin M , Abramson, Vandana G , Carey, Lisa A , Carter, Jodi , Ma, Yaohua , Winer, Eric P. , Wolff, Antonio C. , Wahl, Richard L. , Stearns, Vered , Thompson, E. Aubrey

JCO Precision Oncology | April 3, 2025 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: 9 | Pages: No page available

10.1200/po-24-00546 Get It

PURPOSE Predictive biomarkers to better tailor therapy for patients with early-stage human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer are a priority. We hypothesized that HER2 and immune-based biomarkers would be predictive of pathologic complete response (pCR) to preoperative trastuzumab/pertuzumab (HP). MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with stage II/III, estrogen receptor (ER)-negative, HER2-positive breast cancer received neoadjuvant HP in the TBCRC026 clinical trial. The pCR after receiving HP alone was 22% (18/83). Tumor biopsies were performed at baseline. Secondary correlative objectives were to determine the relationship between HER2-based biomarkers and immune processes with pCR. NanoString code sets BC360 and IO360 were used to compare differential gene expression in baseline tumors that underwent pCR versus no pCR. NanoString GeoMx digital spatial profiling was used to assess immune protein abundance in intraepithelial and stromal segments. Stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and Ki67 were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS Intraepithelial HER2 protein abundance was significantly associated with pCR ( P = .001). Low HER2 abundance tumors were primarily basal-like, and essentially all (19/20) failed to achieve pCR. High HER2 abundance tumors that achieved pCR (14/51) exhibited a high degree of immune cell activity, whereas high HER2 abundance tumors that failed to achieve pCR tumors (37/51) were enriched for M-phase processes and epidermal growth factor receptor signaling. Baseline Ki67 was significantly higher in nonresponders ( P = .04). CONCLUSION ER-negative, HER2-positive breast cancer has unique molecular and immunologic features that may predict pCR after neoadjuvant HP. Validation of these potential biomarkers and composite biomarker analyses may guide design of future clinical trials.
Interim FDG-PET/CT for predicting response of HER2-positive breast cancer to neoadjuvant therapy: ECOG-ACRIN EA1211/DIRECT trial.
Hennessy, Maeve, Gatsonis, Constantine, Jacene, Heather A. , Connolly, Roisín M. , Burnette, Brian L., Stringer-Reasor, Erica , Taurone, Alexander, O’Sullivan, Ciara C. , Le‐Petross, Huong T. , Sepulveda, Karla A., Romanoff, Justin , Lawhn-Heath, Courtney A. , Stearns, Vered , Fowler, Amy M. , Tang, Shou-Ching , DeMichele, Angela , Mankoff, David A. , Wolff, Antonio C.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 29, 2024 | Volume: 42 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: TPS614-TPS614

10.1200/jco.2024.42.16_suppl.tps614 Get It

TPS614 Background: Strategies to optimize treatment decision-making in early stage HER2-positive breast cancer are a priority. Recent studies suggest that early metabolic changes on FDG-PET/CT predict response to HER2-directed therapy. The TBCRC026 trial showed that participants not obtaining a 40% reduction in SULmax by cycle 1 day 15 (C1D15) following neoadjuvant trastuzumab/pertuzumab (HP) were unlikely to obtain pCR [negative predictive value (NPV) 91%]. This trial aims to validate FDG-PET/CT as a neoadjuvant interim (niFDG-PET/CT) imaging integral biomarker in patients treated with standard HER2-directed regimens (NCT05710328). Methods: Trial design: EA1211/DIRECT is a multicenter, single-arm, primary imaging phase 2 study enrolling patients with stage II/III HER2-positive breast cancer. Patients undergo standard skull base-thigh FDG-PET/CT at baseline and C1D15 and receive standard of care pertuzumab-based neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery. Eligibility: Age ≥18 years, ECOG performance status 0-2, stage IIa-IIIc, untreated HER2-positive breast cancer with known hormone receptor status, suitable to undergo FDG-PET/CT imaging and neoadjuvant therapy. Statistical methods: ΔSULmaxD15 will be computed as: (D15 SULmax – baseline SULmax)/baseline SULmax. The primary objective is to estimate the NPV of niFDG-PET/CT for pCR using ΔSULmaxD15 of the primary breast cancer at a threshold of 40%. NPV is defined as the probability that pCR will not be achieved by participants with ΔSULmaxD15 <40%. Secondary endpoints include evaluating sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of ΔSULmaxD15 of the primary breast cancer at a threshold of 40% and ability of the niFDG-PET/CT biomarker to predict 3-year event free survival (EFS). Sample size: We expect that 50% of patients will not reach the ΔSULmax threshold of 40% and a pCR rate of 40-60%. The proposed sample size is 210 participants, adjusted to 235 to account for missing data in 10% of cases. Computation of exact, two-sided 95% confidence intervals (CI) for NPV determined the lower limit of the CI is at least 80% when the true NPV is at least 88%. The lower limit is 84% when the true NPV has the value of 91%, which was estimated in the TBCRC026 study. Current status: EA1211/DIRECT was activated in May 2023 across the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) and is anticipated to complete in March 2025. Those interested in the clinical trial can email ea1211team@ecog-acrin.org. The EA1211/DIRECT trial is the first step in implementing a Response-Guided Treatment Strategy by validating the ΔSULmax threshold of 40% as the optimum cut point across standard of care HER2-directed neoadjuvant regimens. If EA1211/DIRECT meets its objectives, the results will be used to design clinical utility studies, thus hoping to change practice. Clinical trial information: NCT05710328 .
RNA-Seq based gene expression profiling of baseline and on-treatment breast tumors to predict response to HER2-directed therapy, without chemotherapy (TBCRC026).
Hennessy, Maeve, Huang, Chiung Yu, Cimino‐Mathews, Ashley , Denbow, Rita , Rimawi, Mothaffar F. , Storniolo, Anna Maria , Valero, Vicente , Vaklavas, Chris, Krop, Ian E. , Thompson, E. Aubrey , Connolly, Roisín M. , Rimawi, Mothaffar , Fernández-Martínez, Aranzazu , Abramson, Vandana G. , Specht, Jennifer M. , Vaklavas, Christos , Winer, Eric P. , Wolff, Antonio C. , Wahl, Richard L. , Stearns, Vered , Perou, Charles M. , Carey, Lisa A.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 29, 2024 | Volume: 42 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 530-530

10.1200/jco.2024.42.16_suppl.530 Get It

530 Background: Robust biomarkers are needed to personalize treatment in early stage HER2-positive breast cancer. The TBCRC026 trial (n=83) demonstrated that early metabolic changes on FDG-PET/CT [>40% decline in SULmax at day 15 post treatment initiation (C1D15); C1D15 SULmax] were associated with response to neoadjuvant trastuzumab/pertuzumab (HP), without chemotherapy, in an ER-negative, HER2-positive cohort (NCT01937117). We investigated the association of RNA sequencing (RNAseq)-based gene expression signatures (GES) at baseline and on-treatment (C1D15), with early metabolic change on PET/CT and clinical outcomes. Methods: RNAseq (664 GES) was performed on baseline (n=56) and C1D15 (n=31) tumor biopsies (25 paired samples available). Association with pCR following HP (secondary), PET/CT parameters and survival (exploratory) was studied. Gene expression changes between baseline and C1D15 samples were tested by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Association between GES and PET/CT parameters and GES with pCR were evaluated using logistic regression models. Cox regressions were performed to study the association between PET/CT SULmax at C1D15 and a B cell signature and relapse-free survival (RFS). The likelihood ratio test was used to compare the prognostic ability of two nested Cox models. Results: Both RNAseq and clinical outcomes were available in 53/83 patients. HER2-enriched (HER2-E) intrinsic subtype comprised 71% (40/56) of cases at baseline and 61% (19/31) at D15; basal subtype for 27% (15/56) and 39% (12/31), respectively. pCR rate was 19% (10/53) with all but one exhibiting HER2-E subtype. One basal-like sample underwent pCR, with downregulation of HER2 amplicon and IgG signatures slightly more prominent. Gene expression changes from baseline to C1D15 were analyzed; ERBB2was downregulated after HP (p = 0.007), B cell signatures, CD4, CD8, natural killer cells and Treg cells were significantly upregulated at C1D15. GES associated with 40% decline in SULmax at C1D15 included ERBB2 amplicon genes ( ERBB2, GRB7) and correlation to the HER2-E subtype, whereas basal-like signatures were significantly associated with lack of response on PET at C1D15. Univariate logistic regression analysis suggested that FOS-JUN, fibroblast and B cell GES at baseline were significantly associated with pCR (p=<0.05). Finally, the addition of a B cell signature improved the prognostic value of C1D15 SULmax on PET/CT for RFS (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In this unique cohort with ER-negative, HER2-positive breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant HP without chemotherapy, HER2-E tumors and those with increased immune signaling were more likely to respond to HER2-directed therapy. Combining C1D15 SULmax on PET/CT and a B cell signature provided improved prognostic information and should be further explored as candidate biomarkers in this setting. Clinical trial information: NCT01937117 .
Abstract PO1-01-01: ECOG-ACRIN EA1211: Interim FDG-PET/CT for predicting response of HER2-positive breast cancer to neoadjuvant therapy (DIRECT Trial)
Jacene, Heather A. , Gatsonis, Constantine, Connolly, Roisín M. , Burnette, Brian L., Stringer-Reasor, Erica , Hennessy, Maeve, Taurone, Alexander, O’Sullivan, Ciara C. , Le‐Petross, Huong T. , Sepulveda, Karla A., Mankoff, David A. , Mankoff, David A , Romanoff, Justin , Lawhn-Heath, Courtney A. , Stearns, Vered , Fowler, Amy M. , Tang, Shou-Ching , DeMichele, Angela , Wolff, Antonio C.

Cancer Research | May 2, 2024 | Volume: 84 | Issue: 9_Supplement | Pages: PO1-01-01-PO1-01-01

10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs23-po1-01-01 Get It

Abstract Background: Strategies to optimize treatment decision-making in early stage HER2-positive breast cancer are a current priority for the oncology and patient advocacy community. Recent studies suggest that early metabolic changes on FDG-PET/CT (imaging biomarker) predict response to HER2-directed therapy. The TBCRC026 trial showed that participants not obtaining a 40% reduction in SULmax by cycle 1 day 15 (C1D15) following neoadjuvant trastuzumab/pertuzumab (HP) were unlikely to obtain pCR [negative predictive value (NPV) 91%]. The ECOG-ACRIN EA1211/DIRECT trial aims to validate FDG-PET/CT as a neoadjuvant interim (niFDG-PET/CT) imaging integral biomarker in patients treated with standard HER2-directed regimens (NCT05710328). Design: EA1211/DIRECT is a multicenter, single-arm, primary imaging phase 2 study enrolling patients with stage II/III HER2-positive breast cancer. Patients undergo standard skull base-thigh FDG-PET/CT at baseline and C1D15 and receive standard of care pertuzumab-based neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery. Eligibility: Age ≥18 years, ECOG performance status 0-2, stage IIa-IIIc, untreated HER2-positive breast cancer with known hormone receptor status, suitable to undergo FDG-PET/CT imaging and neoadjuvant therapy. Methods: ΔSULmaxD15 will be computed as: (D15 SULmax – baseline SULmax)/baseline SULmax. The primary objective is to estimate the NPV of niFDG-PET/CT for pCR using ΔSULmaxD15 of the primary breast cancer at a threshold of 40%, in patients treated with neoadjuvant HER2-directed therapy. NPV is defined as the probability that pCR will not be achieved by participants with ΔSULmaxD15 &lt; 40%. Secondary endpoints include evaluating the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of ΔSULmaxD15 of the primary breast cancer at a threshold of 40% and the ability of the niFDG-PET/CT biomarker to predict 3-year event free survival (EFS). Sample Size: We expect that 50% of patients will not reach the ΔSULmax threshold of 40% and a pCR rate of 40-60%. The proposed sample size is 210 participants, adjusted to 235 to account for missing data in 10% of cases. Computation of exact, two-sided 95% confidence intervals (CI) for NPV determined the lower limit of the CI is at least 80% when the true NPV is at least 88%. The lower limit is 84% when the true NPV has the value of 91%, which was estimated in the TBCRC026 study. Current Status: EA1211/DIRECT was activated in May 2023 across the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN), and accrual is anticipated to complete in March 2025. Those interested in the clinical trial can email ea1211team@ecog-acrin.org. Conclusion: The EA1211/DIRECT trial is the first step in implementing a Response-Guided Treatment Strategy by validating the ΔSULmax threshold of 40% as the optimum cut point across standard of care HER2-directed neoadjuvant regimens. If EA1211/DIRECT meets its objectives, the results will be used to design clinical utility studies, and thus hoping to change practice. Citation Format: Heather Jacene, Constantine Gatsonis, Roisin Connolly, Brian Burnette, Erica Stringer-Reasor, Maeve Hennessy, Justin Romanoff, Alexander Taurone, Ciara O'Sullivan, H. T. Carisa Le-Petross, Courtney Lawhn Heath, Vered Stearns, Amy Fowler, Shou-Ching Tang, Karla A Sepulveda, Angela DeMichele, David Mankoff, Antonio Wolff. ECOG-ACRIN EA1211: Interim FDG-PET/CT for predicting response of HER2-positive breast cancer to neoadjuvant therapy (DIRECT Trial) [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 PO1-01-01.
A Phase I Study of a Combination of Liposomal Irinotecan and Veliparib in Solid Tumors
LaRose, Meredith, Connolly, Roisín M. , O’Sullivan, Ciara C. , Velcheti, Vamsidhar , Vilimas, Rasa , Gano, Katherine, Bates, Susan E. , Thomas, Anish , Bates, Susan E , Pommier, Yves G.

The Oncologist | April 3, 2023 | Volume: 28 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 460-e298

10.1093/oncolo/oyad023 Get It

Abstract Background Multiple preclinical studies have shown cytotoxic synergy involving combinations of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and topoisomerase 1 (TOP1) inhibitors, but such combinations have proven too toxic in clinical trials. Liposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) achieved similar intratumoral exposure with better antitumor activity than the conventional TOP1 inhibitor irinotecan in preclinical models. Tumor targeted delivery of TOP1 inhibitor using nal-IRI and an intermittent schedule of administration of PARP inhibitor may provide a tolerable combination. Methods A phase I study was performed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of escalating doses of nal-IRI and the PARP inhibitor veliparib in patients with solid tumors resistant to standard treatments. Nal-IRI was administered on days 1 and 15 and veliparib on days 5-12 and 19-25 in 28-day cycles. Results Eighteen patients were enrolled across 3 dose levels. Five patients encountered dose–limiting toxicities, including grade 3 diarrhea lasting more than 72 h in 3 patients and 1 patient each with grade 4 diarrhea and grade 3 hyponatremia. The most common grade 3 or 4 toxicities included diarrhea (50% of patients), nausea (16.6%), anorexia, and vomiting (11.1% each) (Table 1). There was no difference in frequencies of adverse events based on UGT1A1*28 status or prior opioid use (Table 1). Conclusion The clinical trial was terminated due to high frequency of unacceptable gastrointestinal toxicities, which precluded dose escalation of veliparib in combination with nal-IRI (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02631733).
Exploring homologous recombination deficiency thresholds for predicting response to platinum-based treatment in triple negative breast cancer.
Timms, Kirsten M. , Lenz, Lauren , Kaklamani, Virginia , Jankowitz, Rachel C. , Marcom, P. Kelly, Gradishar, William J. , Vinayak, Shaveta , Storniolo, Anna Maria , Connolly, Roisín M. , Richardson, Andrea L. , Cogan, Elizabeth S. , Mayer, Erica L. , Stearns, Vered , Abramson, Vandana G. , Falkson, Carla I. , Tung, Nadine , Ford, James M. , Boughey, Judy C. , Goetz, Matthew P. , Telli, Melinda L.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 6, 2022 | Volume: 40 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 525-525

10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.525 Get It

525 Background: Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) status can be used to identify patients who are eligible for treatment with DNA damaging agents. Using a 3-biomarker Genomic Instability Score (GIS) threshold of ≥42, studies have previously examined the association between HRD status and outcomes in patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, evidence suggests that a GIS threshold of ≥33 may be more appropriate. Here, we conducted an exploratory analysis evaluating the ability of ≥33 and ≥42 GIS thresholds to predict response to platinum-based treatment in patients with TNBC. Methods: Patients across 5 cohorts (TBCRC0301, TBCRC0082, NCT013725793, PrECOG 01054, combined cisplatin cohort4) were included in this analysis if they had a primary TNBC diagnosis, received neoadjuvant platinum-based treatment, had a valid GIS, and had known pathologic complete response (pCR) status. GIS was determined by a combination of loss of heterozygosity, telomeric-allelic imbalance, and large-scale state transitions.4,5 BRCA mutation status was defined by loss of function resulting from a pathogenic variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV), were calculated by comparing binary threshold status and binary pCR status. Results: A total of 204 tumors (158 BRCAwt; 33 BRCAm; 13 unknown) were included; pCR to platinum-based treatment occurred in 55 cases (39 BRCAwt; 14 BRCAm; 2 unknown). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were comparable between the ≥33 and ≥42 GIS thresholds, with the ≥33 threshold producing higher sensitivity values. This was true when thresholds were applied to all samples and to BRCAwt samples only (Table). Among patients who achieved pCR in response to platinum-based treatment, 5.5% of patients in the full cohort and 7.7% of those in the BRCAwt cohort had a GIS between 33-41. Conclusions: To ensure that the majority of patients likely to benefit from treatment are identified, a GIS of ≥33 may be the most appropriate threshold to predict response to platinum-based treatment in patients with TNBC; however, a prospective trial will be needed to confirm these findings. Additional studies will be important to determine whether this threshold may be appropriate to determine eligibility for other DNA-damaging agents such as PARP inhibitors. 1. Ann Oncol. 2020;31(11):1518-25 2. J Nucl Med. 2015;56(1):31-7. 3. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2015;151(3):629-38. 4. Clin Cancer Res. 2016;22(15):3764-73. 5. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2014;16(6):1-9. [Table: see text]
Abstract P5-13-09: Identifying homologous recombination deficiency in breast cancer: Genomic instability score thresholds differ in breast cancer subtypes
Timms, Kirsten M. , Lenz, Lauren , Neff, Chris, Solimeno, Cara, Flake, Darl D. , Richardson, Andrea L. , Storniolo, Anna Maria , Gutin, Alexander , Connolly, Roisín M. , Lanchbury, Jerry S. , Boughey, Judy C. , Goetz, Matthew P. , Stearns, Vered

Cancer Research | March 8, 2022 | Volume: 82 | Issue: 4_Supplement | Pages: P5-13-09-P5-13-09

10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs21-p5-13-09 Get It

Abstract Background: Patients with homologous recombin ation (HR) deficient tumors may benefit from treatment with DNA damaging agents. Markers of genomic instability can be used to identify HR deficiency, including a 3-biomarker Genomic Instability Score (GIS). For patients with ovarian cancer (OC), the FDA-approved GIS threshold for identifying HR deficiency is 42, set as the 5th percentile for BRCA deficient tumors. Recently, a lower 1st percentile cutoff of 33 was explored in OC; this threshold was significantly associated with improved outcome after platinum-based treatment.1,2 Determining an optimal GIS threshold for different types of tumors is crucial, as the GIS distribution may vary between different cancers and even between different cancer subtypes. We propose GIS thresholds for breast cancer separately for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, using the exploratory threshold of 33 for OC as a comparator. Methods: GISs in BRCA deficient tumors were determined for patients newly diagnosed with varying stages of OC, TNBC, or ER+ breast cancer across 5 cohorts (Timms et al,3 TCGA,4 Abkevich et al,5 TBCRC008,6 the OlympiaD trial7). GIS was determined as a combination of loss of heterozygosity, telomeric-allelic imbalance, and large-scale state transitions. BRCA deficiency was defined by loss of function resulting from a pathogenic variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2 or by methylation of the BRCA1 promoter region, with loss of heterozygosity in the affected gene. GIS distributions in different cancer types and subtypes were compared using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. A normal distribution was fit to GISs in BRCA deficient ER+ breast tumors. The 1st percentile of the fitted distribution was chosen as the threshold. Results: A total of 561 OC tumors (190 BRCA deficient), 99 TNBC tumors (44 BRCA deficient), and 406 ER+ breast tumors (76 BRCA deficient) were included across the 5 cohorts. When score distributions were evaluated for BRCA deficient tumors, the GIS distribution within ER+ breast cancer was significantly different than for OC (p=9.6x10-5) and TNBC (p=3.2x10-4). This indicates that different GIS thresholds are appropriate for breast cancer subtypes and that the GIS threshold developed for OC is not appropriate for ER+ breast cancer. The 1st percentile of a normal distribution fit in BRCA deficient ER+ breast cancer tumors yields a threshold of 24. Using this threshold, 45.1% (183/406; 75 BRCA deficient, 108 BRCA intact) of ER+ breast tumors were HR deficient. In contrast, the GIS distribution for TNBC was not significantly different than for OC (p=0.77). Using the exploratory threshold of 33, 63.6% (63/99; 44 BRCA deficient, 19 BRCA intact) of TNBC tumors were HR deficient. Conclusions: When compared to OC, the distribution of GIS in BRCA deficient tumors was different for ER+ breast cancer, but not for TNBC. These findings are consistent with the fact that OC and TNBC are known to have similar molecular signatures.8 Exploratory thresholds of 24 for ER+ breast cancer, and 33 for TNBC and OC could be examined to determine if these cutoffs are associated with a benefit from treatment with DNA targeting agents. Clinical validity and utility of these more inclusive 1% thresholds would require demonstration of correlation with clinical outcomes. The threshold difference observed between these cancer subtypes also suggests that cancer or cancer subtype specific thresholds may be needed as evaluations of HR deficiency expands beyond OC to identify candidates for PARP inhibitors. References: 1 Mol Cancer Res. 2018;16(7):1103-11. 2 Cancers. 2021;13(5):946. 3 Br J Cancer. 2012;107(10):1776-82. 4 Nature. 2012;490(7418):61-70. 5 Breast Cancer Res. 2014;16(145):1-9. 6 J Nucl Med. 2015;56(1):31-7. 7 NEJM. 2017;377(17):1700. 8 Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(5):759. Citation Format: Kirsten M Timms, Lauren Lenz, Chris Neff, Cara Solimeno, Darl Flake, Judy C Boughey, Matthew P Goetz, Andrea Richardson, Anna Maria Storniolo, Alexander Gutin, Roisin M Connolly, Vered Stearns, Jerry S Lanchbury. Identifying homologous recombination deficiency in breast cancer: Genomic instability score thresholds differ in breast cancer subtypes [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 P5-13-09.
Updated Results of TBCRC026: Phase II Trial Correlating Standardized Uptake Value With Pathological Complete Response to Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab in Breast Cancer
Connolly, Roisín M. , Leal, Jeffrey P. , Sólnes, Lilja B. , Huang, Chiung‐Yu , Carpenter, Ashley , Gaffney, Katy, Abramson, Vandana G. , Carey, Lisa A. , Liu, Minetta C. , Rimawi, Mothaffar F. , Specht, Jennifer M. , Storniolo, Anna Maria , Valero, Vicente , Krop, Ian E. , Camp, Melissa , Miller, Robert S. , Cimino‐Mathews, Ashley , Stearns, Vered , Abramson, Vandana G , Rimawi, Mothaffar , Specht, Jennifer , Vaklavas, Christos , Krop, Ian E , Winer, Eric , Miller, Robert S , Wolff, Antonio C , Cimino-Mathews, Ashley , Park, Ben Ho , Wahl, Richard L , Stearns, Vered , Carey, Lisa A , Huang, Chiung-Yu , Gaffney, Katy, Winer, Eric P. , Wolff, Antonio C. , Wahl, Richard L.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 17, 2021 | Volume: 39 | Issue: 20 | Pages: 2247-2256

10.1200/jco.21.00280 Get It

PURPOSE Predictive biomarkers to identify patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive breast cancer who may benefit from targeted therapy alone are required. We hypothesized that early measurements of tumor maximum standardized uptake value corrected for lean body mass (SULmax) on 18 F-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) would predict pathologic complete response (pCR) to pertuzumab and trastuzumab (PT). PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with stage II or III, estrogen receptor–negative, HER2-positive breast cancer received four cycles of neoadjuvant PT. 18 F-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography was performed at baseline and 15 days after PT initiation (C1D15). Eighty evaluable patients were required to test the null hypothesis that the area under the curve of percent change in SULmax by C1D15 predicting pCR is ≤ 0.65, with a one-sided type I error rate of 10%. RESULTS Eighty-eight women were enrolled (83 evaluable), and 85% (75 of 88) completed all four cycles of PT. pCR after PT alone was 22%. Receiver operator characteristic analysis of percent change in SULmax by C1D15 yielded an area under the curve of 0.72 (80% CI, 0.64 to 0.80; one-sided P = .12), which did not reject the null hypothesis. However, between patients who obtained pCR and who did not, a significant difference in median percent reduction in SULmax by C1D15 was observed (63.8% v 41.8%; P = .004) and SULmax reduction ≥ 40% was more prevalent (83% v 52%; P = .03; positive predictive value, 31%). Participants not obtaining a 40% reduction in SULmax by C1D15 were unlikely to obtain pCR (negative predictive value, 91%). CONCLUSION Although the primary objective was not met, early changes in SULmax predict response to PT in estrogen receptor–negative and HER2-positive breast cancer. Once optimized, this quantitative imaging strategy may facilitate tailoring of therapy in this setting.
Abstract PD14-09: Nci 10013 - A randomized phase 2 study of neoadjuvant carboplatin and paclitaxel, with or without atezolizumab in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)
Chen, Ina , Northfelt, Donald W. , Arora, Mili, Dees, Claire, Santa‐Maria, Cesar A. , Connolly, Roisín M. , Force, Jeremy , Moreno‐Aspitia, Alvaro , Larson, Sarah , Gillanders, William E. , Ademuyiwa, Foluso O. , Gao, Feng , Wesolowski, Robert , Brufsky, Adam , Santa-Maria, Cesar Augusto , Larson, Sarah, Sharon, Elad

Cancer Research | February 15, 2021 | Volume: 81 | Issue: 4_Supplement | Pages: PD14-09-PD14-09

10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs20-pd14-09 Get It

Abstract Background Inhibition of PD-L1 with atezolizumab combined with chemotherapy has shown acceptable safety and improved survival in patients with metastatic PD-L1 positive triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Patients with TNBC who do not achieve a pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy have a high risk of disease recurrence and death. This randomized, open-label, phase 2 trial evaluates neoadjuvant carboplatin and paclitaxel with or without atezolizumab in patients with previously untreated clinical stages II and III TNBC. Methods Women aged ≥18 years with clinical stage T2-T4c, any N, M0 primary tumor by AJCC 7th edition staging TNBC; ECOG PS 0-2; and no prior systemic therapy for the indexed breast cancer were eligible. Patients were randomized in a 1:2 ratio to carboplatin AUC5 q 3 weeks x 4 + paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 q week x 12 (Arm A), or carboplatin AUC5 q 3 weeks x 4 + paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 q week x 12 + atezolizumab 1200 mg q3 weeks x 4 (Arm B). Surgery was 3-6 weeks following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Adjuvant dose-dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide was administered q2 weeks with growth factor support to all patients as per routine care. pCR and tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) percentages are the co-primary endpoints. pCR-evaluable population includes all eligible women who have been randomized and received at least one dose of combination therapy, while the TIL-evaluable population includes all eligible women who have evaluable TIL percentage after one cycle of therapy. A sample size of 67 (22 in Arm A, and 45 in Arm B) provided 80% power at 1-sided alpha = 0.10 to detect a minimum of 15% difference in TIL and 29% improvement (40% vs. 69%) in pCR, respectively. Herein, we report pCR results in the per protocol modified intent-to-treat population (mITT), which includes all eligible patients who were randomized and received at least one dose of combination therapy. Results Sixty-seven patients were randomized between 8/2017 and 9/2019. Six patients randomized to Arm A withdrew consent; 2 of these received protocol therapy but are excluded from the mITT analyses as they are not evaluable because definitive pathology reports are not available. Median follow up is 6 months (range 0.3 - 12.6 months). Median age is 52 years (range 25 - 78). Forty-three (64.2%) were Caucasian and thirteen (19.4%) were African American. Twenty-five (37.3%) were pre-menopausal. 67.2% and 32.8% had stages II and III disease respectively. Nine (13.4%) had a germline mutation in either BRCA1 or BRCA2. In the mITT population, 3 of 16 patients achieved pCR in Arm A - 18.8% (95% CI 4.0%- 45.6%), versus 25 of 45 patients in Arm B - 55.6% (95% CI 40.0%-70.4%); p value 0.018. pCR in those with BRCA mutations was 50% and 80% in Arm A and Arm B, respectively. Treatment delays were observed in 9 patients (40.9%) in Arm A, and 20 (44.4%) in Arm B; dose reductions occurred in 4 patients (18.1%) in Arm A, and in 6 (13.3%) in Arm B. There were 4 SAEs in Arm A and 10 in Arm B. One patient in Arm B had grade 3 adrenal insufficiency. One patient in Arm B died from recurrent disease during the follow-up period. Conclusions: The addition of atezolizumab to neoadjuvant carboplatin and paclitaxel resulted in an increased pCR rate in patients with clinical stages II and III TNBC. However, the pCR in the control Arm A was lower than expected, possibly due to the absence of neoadjuvant anthracyclines. The high pCR rate observed in the experimental arm of this study is similar to that observed in other neoadjuvant trials utilizing anthracyclines, taxanes, and carboplatin in TNBC. Clinical trial information: NCT02883062. Citation Format: Foluso O Ademuyiwa, Feng Gao, Ina Chen, Donald W Northfelt, Robert Wesolowski, Mili Arora, Adam Brufsky, Claire Dees, Cesar A Santa-Maria, Roisin M Connolly, Jeremy Force, Alvaro Moreno-Aspitia, Sarah Larson, Elad Sharon, William Gillanders. Nci 10013 - A randomized phase 2 study of neoadjuvant carboplatin and paclitaxel, with or without atezolizumab in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD14-09.