Real-World Germline BRCA Testing, Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitor Utilization, and Survival Outcomes in Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2–Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer
JCO Precision Oncology | July 16, 2025 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: 9 | Pages: No page available
PURPOSE Testing for germline BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 mutations (gBRCAm) is recommended for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HER2–) breast cancer (BC) to guide treatment selection with poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPis). However, real-world data on germline BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 (gBRCA) testing and PARPi treatment patterns in metastatic BC (mBC) are limited. METHODS Deidentified patient data from adults diagnosed with HER2– mBC between 2014 and 2022 were captured from electronic health records in the US Flatiron Health database. gBRCA testing patterns and prevalence were examined by tumor subtype (hormone receptor–positive [HR+]/triple-negative) and disease stage at diagnosis. Demographic and clinical characteristics were described by receipt of gBRCA testing and PARPi. PARPi treatment patterns were assessed, and real-word overall survival (OS) was estimated in patients with gBRCAm diagnosed with mBC after January 1, 2018. RESULTS Of the 15,006 total patients, 4,654 (31.0%) received a gBRCA test. gBRCA testing rates mostly increased from 2014 to 2022 and were lower in patients with HR+ than triple-negative tumors. Of the patients who underwent gBRCA testing, 337 (7.2%) had gBRCAm. From 2018 to 2022, PARPi was initiated in 94 (45.6%) of 206 patients with gBRCAm. With a median follow-up of 22.8 months across patients with available first-line treatment start dates, real-world OS was numerically longer among 94 patients with gBRCAm who received PARPi (32.3 months [95% CI, 22.7 to 47.4]) than among 99 patients who did not (21.9 months [95% CI, 18.4 to not reached]). CONCLUSION Although gBRCA testing increased over time, testing and PARPi utilization rates remained suboptimal in potentially eligible patients with HER2– mBC. Exploratory analysis showed numerically longer OS in patients who received PARPi. Wider and timelier gBRCA testing is warranted to inform potentially optimal treatment decisions.
AXALAP: Phase Ib study of axatilimab in combination with olaparib in
BRCA1/2
and
PALB2
-associated metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer (BC).
Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available
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 .
Comparing
BRCA1/2
copy number loss assessment in circulating tumor DNA to tissue in advanced solid cancers.
Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available
e14545 Background: Next generation sequencing (NGS) identifies genomic alterations in DNA obtained from tissue biopsies and/or blood [circulating tumor (ct)DNA]. We anticipate a lower rate of copy number loss (CNL) in ctDNA compared to tissue, as lower ctDNA tumor fraction may limit the ability to detect a deletion. However, we observed several instances of a CNL in ctDNA that was not identified in a tissue specimen, prompting this systematic evaluation of an institutional dataset. We focused on BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants (PVs) given their therapeutic implications and coverage across testing platforms. Methods: Using an IRB-approved protocol, we evaluated an institutional repository of NGS results performed across the Mayo Clinic Enterprise. We focused on patients (pts) who had both tissue and blood NGS testing performed. We further narrowed this cohort to those with a BRCA1/2 PVs, somatic and/or germline, as determined by testing performed at Guardant Health, Tempus, or Foundation Medicine. We abstracted information about each variant, including type of alteration classification and functional impact. Demographic information, cancer characteristics, and germline testing information was collected. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare alteration frequencies in ctDNA vs tissue using GraphPad Prism v 10.1. Results: From Dec 2015-Sept 2024, we identified 158 unique pts with BRCA1/2 PV who had NGS results for both tissue and ctDNA. The median age at first reporting BRCA1/2 variant was 67 years (range: 29-98 years). 48% of pts were female, and the most common cancer type sites were lung (23%), colorectal (20%), and pancreaticobiliary (20%). We identified 198 unique pathogenic genomic alterations; 71 in BRCA1 & 127 in BRCA2 . Most common alteration was an SNV or indel (127/198), followed by CNL (n = 63), splice site variants (n = 5), fusions (n = 2), and rearrangements (n = 1). Of the 126 SNV or indels, 50 (39.7%) were identified in both ctDNA and tissue, 40 (31.7%) were detected in blood only, 36 (28.6%) identified only in tissue (p < 0.0001). Amongst the 63 CNL, only 3 (4.8%) were identified in both ctDNA and tissue; 41(65.1%) were only identified in ctDNA, and 19 (30.2%) in tissue only (p < 0.0001). In the 19 tissue-only CNL tests, 12/19 noted one or more additional pathogenic SNV/Indel in BRCA1/2. In the 41 ctDNA-only CNL tests, 1/41 noted one or more additional pathogenic SNV/Indel in BRCA 1/2 . Germline testing was available in 41/63 pts with copy number loss. 3/41 deletions were identified in germline (2 in ctDNA, 1 in tissue). Conclusions: We observed a low degree of concordance in CNL between tissue and ctDNA for BRCA1/2 . CNL detection in ctDNA that could not be confirmed in germline or with a second alteration warrants further attention. In particular, clinicians should be cautioned when interpreting ctDNA reports noting BRCA1/2 CNL without clarity if this represents biallelic loss or a synchronous loss of function.
Estrogen receptor expression in residual breast cancer following neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 529-529
529 Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is commonly administered to patients (pts) with estrogen receptor alpha (ER) negative (immunohistochemistry [IHC] 0%) and ER-low (IHC 1-10%) breast cancer (BC). For pts without pathological complete response (pCR), ER expression may differ between baseline and residual BC following NAC. We previously demonstrated adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) omission in ER-low early-stage BC was associated with significantly worse overall survival (OS); however, this effect was restricted to pts with residual BC following NAC and those with higher baseline ER levels (IHC 6-10%) (Choong et al., ASCO 2024). Here, we assessed how often ER was expressed in residual invasive BC for pts treated with NAC for ER-negative and ER-low BC. Methods: Weidentified pts with pre-treatment (tx) ER-negative and ER-low (regardless of HER2 expression) stage I-III BC treated with NAC who underwent BC surgery at Mayo Clinic Rochester between 2009 and 2023. ER IHC was performed in a CAP/CLIA laboratory. We evaluated ER expression in residual invasive BC for pts without pCR. The percent of pts with a post-tx change in ER status was estimated and reported with 95% Wilson confidence intervals. Results: 955 pts (838 [88%] pre-tx ER-negative; 117 [12%] pre-tx ER-low) met inclusion criteria, of whom 69% had HER2-negative and 31% HER2-positive BC. The median age at diagnosis was 52 (range: 24-86). 496 (52%) had residual BC. Residual BC was more common in HER2-negative versus (vs) positive tumors (56% vs 42%, p < 0.001) but did not differ significantly by ER status (ER-negative 51% vs ER-low 57%, p = 0.22). Of those with residual BC, 277/496 (56%) had ER re-testing. Rates of ER re-testing did not vary for pre-tx ER-negative vs -low (57% vs 51%, p = 0.37) but were significantly lower for HER2-positive vs HER2-negative tumors (39% vs 62%, p < 0.001). Among those with post-tx testing, 31/277 (11%, 95% CI: 8-15%) had an increase in ER expression from pretreatment levels (defined as ER IHC < 1% to either 1-10% or > 10%; or ER IHC 1-10% to > 10%). In these 31 pts, the original NAC was for either TNBC (21/31; 68%) or HER2+ BC (10/31; 32%). In pts with pre-tx ER-negative BC, 27/243 (11%, 95% CI: 8-16%) had ER expression in the residual BC including 14/243 (6%, 95% CI: 3-9%) with ER > 10% and 13/243 (5%, 95% CI: 3-9%) with ER 1-10%. For pts with baseline ER-low BC, 4/34 (12%, 95% CI: 5-27%) had ER > 10% in the residual BC. Among the 31 pts where ER increased following NAC, 21/31 (68%) received adjuvant ET, including 17/18 if ER was > 10% in the residual disease and 4/13 in those with ER 1-10%. Conclusions: In pts treated with NAC for ER-negative or ER-low BC not achieving pCR, we identified higher ER expression in the residual breast cancer in > 10% of pts. Given that omission of ET in ER-low BC with residual cancer following NAC is associated with worse survival, repeat biomarker testing should be considered in those without pCR, and ET individualized according to ER expression.
Clinical characteristics of young-onset breast cancer and the role of germline pathogenic variants.
Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 10582-10582
10582 Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in young women, with an increasing incidence over the past two decades. This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of young-onset breast cancers among patients aged ≤50 and compare tumor characteristics by germline mutation carrier status. Methods: Patients with breast cancer diagnosis ≤50 years old and evaluated across the Mayo Clinic enterprise between 2000 and 2024 were identified through the prospective Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Study and the institutional tumor registry. Demographics, tumor characteristics, and clinical outcomes were obtained and described using summary statistics. Germline pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant (PV) carrier status for 5 established breast cancer predisposition genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, CHEK2 and PALB2) was available in a subset of unselected patients who consented to participation in sequencing studies at Mayo Clinic. Clinical characteristics were compared between PV carriers in each gene and non-carriers utilizing Chi-square test. All tests were two-sided and p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 8,462 patients (8435 women, 27 men) with breast cancer diagnosis at age ≤50 in the study, the median age of diagnosis of breast cancer was 44 years (range 18 – 49). At diagnosis, 84% had invasive disease, 43% of the tumors were high-grade, 15.8% had triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), more than two-thirds (67.5%) presented with stage I or II breast cancer, and 3.7% had bilateral breast cancer. Among the 2,527 patients who consented to germline sequencing, 10.1% were found to be carriers of PVs; these included BRCA1 (3.3%), BRCA2 (2.7%), CHEK2 (2.3%), ATM (1.3%), and PALB2 (0.6%). Compared to non-carriers, a significant enrichment (p<0.05) of invasive breast cancer (92.6% vs. 83.3%) and high grade tumors (61.7% vs. 31.4%) were noted in BRCA1 PV carriers, and of bilateral breast cancer (13.4% vs. 3.8%) and high grade tumors (46.4% vs. 31.4%) in BRCA2 PV carriers. After exclusion of in-situ disease, proportion of TNBC was observed to be significantly higher in BRCA1 (61.3%), BRCA2 (15.5%) and PALB2 (30.7%) PV carriers compared to non-carriers (11.2%), whereas >90% of ATM or CHEK2 PV carriers had ER+ breast cancer and none had TNBC. A significant difference in stage at presentation was not observed by germline PV carrier status. Conclusions: The high frequency (>10%) of PVs in young-onset breast cancer underscores the importance for genetic testing in this population. The observed differences in breast cancer phenotypes based on germline PV carrier status among young-women may have significant implications for clinical outcomes and needs to be further explored.
Germline pathogenic variants in cancer predisposition genes and overall survival of women with breast cancer.
Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 10510-10510
10510 Background: The impact of germline pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants (PVs) in cancer predisposition genes on overall survival (OS) after breast cancer diagnosis is not well defined. In particular, unbiased OS estimates from population-based studies accounting for clinical subtypes of breast cancer (based on ER, PR, and HER2 status) and for genes other than BRCA1/2 are lacking. Methods: The study included 25,168 prospectively followed women with locoregional invasive breast cancer within the population-based CARRIERS study. Germline sequencing using a custom multigene amplicon-based panel was performed to identify PVs. OS was compared between germline PV carriers in ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2 and PALB2 and non-carriers (negative for germline PVs in 13 known breast cancer predisposition genes) for each clinical subtype of breast cancer from the time of breast cancer diagnosis to death or last follow up in a multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis adjusting for age at diagnosis, race/ethnicity, histology, TNM stage, type of surgery, use of adjuvant radiation, chemotherapy and endocrine agents. Results: Among 25,168 women with breast cancer, germline PVs in one of the five breast cancer predisposition genes were detected in 5.8% of the women [ ATM : 0.8%, BRCA1 : 1.3%, BRCA2: 1.6%, CHEK2 : 1.5%, and PALB2 : 0.6%]. Among women with ER+ breast cancer, compared to non-carriers, a significantly worse OS was noted for BRCA1 (Hazard Ratio (HR): 1.8, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.1 – 3.0, p=0.02) and BRCA2 (HR: 1.8, 95%CI: 1.4 – 2.4, p<0.001), but not for ATM (HR: 1.2, 95%CI: 0.8 – 1.7, p=0.40) or CHEK2 (HR:1.0, 95%CI: 0.8 – 1.3, p=1.0) PV carriers. Worse OS was noted in PALB2 PV carriers with ER+ breast cancer (HR:1.5, 95%CI: 0.9 – 2.2, p=0.09), although it did not reach statistical significance. Similar HR estimates for OS as with ER+ breast cancer were observed in women with ER+/HER2- breast cancer for BRCA1 , BRCA2 and PALB2 PV carriers, but only BRCA2 results were statistically significant. Among women with ER-negative breast cancer, compared to non-carriers, a significant difference in OS was not observed for PV carriers in ATM (HR:0.8, 95%CI: 0.4 – 1.8, p=0.63), BRCA1 (HR:1.2, 95%CI: 0.8 – 1.7, p=0.35), BRCA2 (HR: 0.8, 95%CI: 0.5 – 1.2, p=0.29), CHEK2 (HR: 0.7, 95%CI: 0.3 – 1.4), or PALB2 (HR: 0.9, 95%CI: 0.5 -1.7, p=0.78). Conclusions: The suggestive differences in OS by ER status of the tumor in BRCA1 and BRCA2 PV carriers warrant further investigation of underlying tumor biology and assessment of endocrine sensitivity of breast cancer in germline PV carriers.
Clinical impact of integrating polygenic risk scores with breast cancer risk assessment models: Results from the prospective multisite GENRE-2 clinical trial.
Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 10544-10544
10544 Background: Incorporation of Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) can refine traditional breast cancer risk assessment models to provide precise estimates of breast cancer risk. However, the impact of such an integrated model on clinical decision-making related to breast cancer surveillance and preventive strategies is not fully understood. Methods: The GENRE-2 is a prospective single-arm multisite clinical trial (NCT04474834) incorporating PRS into standard breast cancer risk assessment models to determine the impact of PRS on clinical decisions on breast cancer prevention and surveillance. Women at high risk of breast cancer due to NCI-BCRAT 5-year risk of ≥ 3%, or IBIS (Tyrer-Cuzik) 10-year breast cancer risk of ≥5%, biopsy-proven high-risk breast lesion, or a pathogenic variant (PV) in ATM , BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2 or PALB2 , were enrolled from five sites in the United States. All women were invited to complete surveys on their breast surveillance and cancer prevention decisions based on pre-PRS standard risk models and post-PRS risk estimation, and further annual surveys are planned for 10 years. Results: Among 902 women enrolled in the study, 605 (median age: 52 years) received PRS results and completed a survey to date. Of those who received PRS results,195 (32.2%) were PV carriers. Among non-carriers, the median 10-year and lifetime pre-PRS IBIS-based risk was 10.0% and 28.7%, respectively. Among PV carriers, the CanRisk-based 10-year and lifetime pre-PRS risk estimates were 6.3% and 25.2% for ATM , 22.3% and 77.6% for BRCA1 , 18.5% and 77.7% for BRCA2 , 7.1% and 25.7% for CHEK2 , and 16.8% and 38.0% for PALB2 PV carriers, respectively. After the incorporation of PRS, the lifetime risk of breast cancer increased by at least 10% in 31% of non-carriers and 7.7% of PV carriers and decreased by at least 10% in 10.7% of non-carriers and 7.7% of PV carriers. The proportion of non-carriers with lifetime risk < 20% or > 40% changed from 17.3% and 22.0%, respectively, in the pre-PRS evaluation to 24.4% and 32.9%, in the post-PRS evaluation. A higher lifetime post-PRS score was associated with intent to take preventive action (surgery or endocrine agents). In non-carriers, the proportion of women with a lifetime risk < 20% with intent to take preventive action was 11%, compared to 36.8% of those with a lifetime risk > 40% (p < 0.001). Similarly, in PV carriers, the proportion of women with lifetime risk < 20% with intent to take preventive action was 20.8% compared to 41.1% of those with lifetime risk > 40% (p = 0.015). Conclusions: The GENRE-2 trial demonstrates that the incorporation of PRS into breast cancer risk assessment models in high-risk women is feasible and leads to clinically meaningful changes in breast cancer risk estimates and decision-making regarding preventive strategies. Evaluation of the implementation of breast cancer risk management strategies in study participants is ongoing and will be reported. Clinical trial information: NCT04474834 .
Breast Cancer Risk Modification in Women with Pathogenic Variants in
BRCA1
,
BRCA2
,
ATM
,
C
Cancer Research Communications | April 29, 2025 | Volume: 5 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 783-791
Abstract There are limited prospective data on whether established risk factors modify breast cancer risk in women with pathogenic variants (PV) in BRCA1/2 and virtually no risk modification data for ATM, CHEK2, or PALB2. We conducted a nested case–control study in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), randomly selecting women with and without breast cancer for DNA sequencing. We evaluated breast cancer odds associated with obesity, family cancer history, smoking, alcohol, parity, breastfeeding, oophorectomy, tubal ligation, neighborhood socioeconomic status, and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) with estrogen and progestin or estrogen only in PV carriers and noncarriers. In exploratory analyses, we grouped genes by established predisposition for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive (ATM and CHEK2) or ER-negative (BRCA1 and PALB2) disease. Multivariable models with interaction terms were used to assess differential risk modification by PVs. Among 12,957 WHI participants, 287 carried PVs. Breastfeeding was modestly associated with reduced risk for PALB2 [OR = 0.08; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.00–0.92; P value = 0.042]. With one-sided 95% CI, power was sufficient to exclude OR ≥2.0 with obesity for ATM and BRCA2; smoking and alcohol for CHEK2; no breastfeeding for ATM; no oophorectomy for BRCA2 and CHEK2; no tubal ligation for CHEK2; and neighborhood socioeconomic status for all genes. Estrogen + progestin MHT was modestly associated with increased risk for ER-positive PVs (OR = 7.31; 95% CI, 1.14–64.20; P = 0.036). PVs did not modify risk (interaction P ≥ 0.05). BRCA1/2, ATM, CHEK2, and PALB2 PV carriers do not have breast cancer OR ≥2.0 with many established risk factors. However, MHT warrants additional study in PV carriers. Significance: There is limited information on whether established risk factors increase breast cancer risk from PVs. In the WHI, PV carriers had no substantial (≥2-fold) increase with most risk factors, except potentially MHT in ATM or CHEK2 carriers. The results may inform counseling and research on MHT.
Abstract 7118: Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of ovarian cancer among South Asian women in United States
Cancer Research | April 21, 2025 | Volume: 85 | Issue: 8_Supplement_1 | Pages: 7118-7118
Abstract Background: Ovarian cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States. South Asians in the USA, including Asian Indians and Pakistani Americans (AIPA), are a rapidly growing yet under-researched group. This study aims to analyze the clinical features, survival rates, treatment, and outcomes of ovarian cancer among AIPA women in the United States. Methods: Adult women diagnosed with ovarian cancer between 2000 and 2023 within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry were identified utilizing ICD codes. The analysis focused on comparing clinical characteristics and outcomes between AIPA and Non-Hispanic White (NHW)women and excluded all women of other races/ethnicities or unknown race/ethnicity. Baseline characteristics, including age at diagnosis, disease stage, and treatment, were compared between AIPA and NHW women utilizing a chi-squared test for categorical variables and a t-test for continuous variables. The 5-year overall survival (OS) was estimated for each race/ethnicity by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the OS was further compared between AIPA and NHW in a cox-proportional hazard regression analysis adjusting for age at diagnosis, grade, histology, TNM stage, surgical debulking, completeness of debulking surgery, and receipt of chemotherapy. Similar comparisons of baseline characteristics and OS were also performed in the subset of women with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). Result: A total of 86, 485 women met the inclusion criteria, of which 1, 179 were AIPA and 85, 306 were NHW. AIPA had a significantly younger median age at diagnosis compared to NHW women in the overall population (57 vs. 65 years, p<0.001) and among 448 AIPA and 29, 677 NHW women with HGSOC (58 vs. 65 years, p<0.001). Approximately two-thirds of women in both groups presented with Stage III or IV ovarian cancer at diagnosis and had a serous subtype of ovarian cancer. Similarly, after the exclusion of unknown grade, high-grade tumors accounted for more than two-thirds (75 vs. 72%) of the ovarian cancer cases in both groups. AIPA were more likely to undergo debulking surgery (85 vs. 80%, p<0.001) and receive chemotherapy (77 vs. 72%, p<0.001) compared to NHW women. The unadjusted 5-year OS for AIPA and NHW women were 56% vs. 43% in the overall population, and 53% vs. 41% among women with HGSOC, respectively. In multivariate analysis of the entire study population, AIPA women had a significantly better OS than NHW women (HR: 0.86, 95%CI: 0.79 - 0.94, p<0.001). Among women with HGSOC, a similar trend of better OS was noted in multivariate analysis among AIPA women compared to NHW (HR: 0.88, 95%CI: 0.77 - 1.01, p=0.07), although this did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: The younger age at diagnosis, along with a generally better prognosis, among AIPA women compared to NHW women, suggests a possible enrichment of DNA-repair gene alterations among AIPA women. Citation Format: Aditi Karki, Sumeet Kumar Yadav, Muhammad Rafiqul Islam, Raja Pramanik, Ramila Shilpakar Dangol, Zeba Aziz, Sandhya Pruthi, Maryam Shahi, Jamie N. Bakkum-Gamez, Scott H. Kaufmann, Fergus J. Couch, Siddhartha Yadav. Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of ovarian cancer among South Asian women in United States [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 7118.
Interactions between genetic and epidemiological factors influencing mammographic density
American Journal of Epidemiology | March 30, 2025 | Volume: 195 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 1231-1241
Abstract Studies have identified genetic and epidemiologic factors associated with mammographic density (MD) phenotypes. However, MD-associated genetic variants only account for a small proportion of the total estimated heritability. Interrogating interactions between genetic and epidemiologic factors could potentially identify additional MD-associated loci, expand our understanding of the genetic basis of MD phenotypes, and clarify how epidemiologic factors modulate relationships between genetic variants and MD. We conducted six separate genome-wide, gene–environment (GxE) interaction analyses, applying 2 degrees of freedom (df) and 1df interaction tests, for each of three MD phenotypes (percent density, dense area (DA), and nondense area (NDA)). The six epidemiologic factors considered were height, ever parous, parity, ever menopausal hormone therapy, ever breastfeeding, and months of breastfeeding. We included European ancestry participants from multiple studies within the Markers of Density consortium and the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (n = 4895-16 218 depending on specific analyses). We identified 11 loci with genome-wide significant (P < 5 × 10−8) interaction tests including two novel common genetic signals interacting with parity (8p21.2) and ever breastfeeding (19p13.2) for NDA. Our results suggest that epidemiologic risk factors might influence relationships between common genetic variants and MD phenotypes at particular genomic loci.