Citations

The treatment landscape of invasive early-stage and metastatic breast cancer is evolving constantly. These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on recent updates included in the most recent version (version 5.2025) of the NCCN Guidelines for Breast Cancer specific to workup, locoregional therapy, surveillance, and systemic neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy recommendations for invasive, nonmetastatic breast cancer.

Importance The Breast Cancer Index (BCI) previously identified premenopausal patients with tumors in which the ratio of expression of HOXB13 relative to IL17BR (hereafter, BCI [H/I]–low tumors) as likely to derive greatest benefit from ovarian function suppression (OFS)–containing adjuvant therapy in the Suppression of Ovarian Function Trial (SOFT) trial. Objectives To assess BCI as a predictive biomarker of benefit from exemestane plus OFS vs tamoxifen plus OFS and to validate BCI as a prognostic biomarker for premenopausal patients. Design, Setting, and Participants This prognostic study used a prospective-retrospective translational design within the Tamoxifen and Exemestane (TEXT) and SOFT trials (enrolled November 2003 to April 2011). Blinded BCI testing in all available tumor samples was completed in March 2024. Premenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer randomized to tamoxifen plus OFS or exemestane plus OFS who had BCI assessed were included. Analysis occurred from March to August 2024. Exposure 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen plus OFS or exemestane plus OFS. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcomes were breast cancer-free interval (BCFI) for predictive analyses and distant recurrence-free interval (DRFI) for prognostic analyses after a median follow-up of 13 years in the TEXT cohort. Secondary objectives examined the predictive performance of BCI (H/I) in the combined TEXT and SOFT cohort overall and in prespecified clinical subgroups. Results Of 1782 patients in the TEXT study, 1034 (58.0%) had BCI (H/I)–low tumors; 915 (51.3%) of patients had N0 disease and 1077 (60.4%) were younger than 45 years. Patients with BCI (H/I)–low tumors had a 6.6% absolute benefit in 12-year BCFI (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.44-0.85) for exemestane plus OFS vs tamoxifen plus OFS, while those with BCI (H/I)–high tumors had a 6.3% absolute benefit (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.57-1.07; P for interaction = .29). Results were consistent in the combined TEXT plus SOFT cohort (2896 patients) and adjusting for clinicopathological variables. Clinical subgroup analyses consistently showed benefit of exemestane plus OFS vs tamoxifen plus OFS for BCI (H/I)–low tumors, and more variable relative treatment effects among BCI (H/I)–high tumors, including by age. Post hoc exploratory time-varying estimates suggested the treatment × BCI associations may differ in years 0 to 5 vs greater than 5 years. BCI and BCI N+ as continuous indices were prognostic for distant recurrence in N0 (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.11-1.44; P < .001) and N1 (HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.21-2.05; P < .001) cancers. The 12-year DRFI was 96.3%, 90.3%, and 84.9% for BCI low-, intermediate-, and high-risk N0 cancers, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance In this study of premenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer, BCI (H/I) status did not clearly predict greater benefit of adjuvant exemestane plus OFS vs tamoxifen plus OFS for women with BCI (H/I)–low tumors than for those with BCI (H/I)–high tumors; BCI continuous indices were reconfirmed as prognostic for premenopausal women. These findings support prior results of SOFT, which compared tamoxifen-alone vs OFS with either exemestane or tamoxifen, indicating premenopausal patients with BCI (H/I)–low tumors may benefit from more intensive endocrine therapy.

Abstract Purpose :Tamoxifen undergoes bioactivation to its active metabolite (Z)-endoxifen, which blocks estrogen-dependent breast tumor growth at high potency. We tested the feasibility and safety of supplementing standard tamoxifen therapy with low-dose (Z)-endoxifen in patients with breast cancer with compromised tamoxifen bioactivation. Patients and Methods :We conducted a prospective, interventional, three group randomized trial including 235 patients with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer who received standard tamoxifen therapy (20 mg/day). Patients were stratified by CYP2D6 genotype (n = 78), defining poor, intermediate, and normal metabolizers, or by baseline (Z)-endoxifen plasma concentration (n = 78), defining ≤15, 15 to 25, and ≥25 nmol/L. Co-treatment with (Z)-endoxifen 3 and 1.5 mg/day or placebo was performed, respectively. A control group (n = 79) received placebo regardless of metabolizer phenotype. The primary endpoint was the number of patients with (Z)-endoxifen levels >32 nmol/L after 6 weeks of treatment. Adverse events were continuously monitored. Results: A higher proportion of patients in both intervention groups achieved target concentrations >32 nmol/L compared with control (P < 0.0001). At 3 mg (Z)-endoxifen supplementation, 92.3% of CYP2D6 poor metabolizer patients and all patients with baseline (Z)-endoxifen ≤15 nmol/L achieved the target concentration. At 1.5 mg (Z)-endoxifen supplementation, 88% of CYP2D6 intermediate metabolizer patients and 95% of patients with 15 to 25 nmol/L baseline (Z)-endoxifen levels achieved the target concentration. Similar proportions of patients receiving (Z)-endoxifen (6/80, 7.5%) or placebo (8/155, 5.2%) experienced grade 3 adverse events. Conclusions: Adding low-dose (Z)-endoxifen to standard tamoxifen is safe and provides a new approach to personalized antiestrogen treatment for patients with low endoxifen plasma levels.

Abstract Despite therapeutic advances, ovarian cancer (OC) recurrence remains common and outcomes for advanced disease are poor, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic targets. To this end, we identified CTPS1 as a highly expressed and essential gene for the survival of many OC cell lines, including models resistant to chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors. CTPS1 is one of two enzymes, alongside CTPS2, responsible for the de novo synthesis of cytidine triphosphate (CTP), a critical nucleotide required for DNA and phospholipid biosynthesis. We discovered that CTPS1 is the predominant isoform expressed in OC cells, with significantly higher levels of expression in advanced and resistant disease compared to normal tissue, benign lesions and treatment naïve cancers. Intriguingly, 25% of all OC samples were found to completely lack CTPS2 protein expression suggesting their near complete reliance on CTPS1 for survival. Using CTPS1 siRNAs and genetically engineered OC cells with a degradation tag (dTAG) fused to the C-terminus of endogenous CTPS1 alleles, we showed that CTPS1 knockdown or proteasomal degradation induces an S-phase cell cycle arrest followed by apoptosis. Leveraging a first-in-class, highly selective, and orally bioavailable CTPS1 inhibitor (STP938) developed by Step Pharma, we identified nanomolar-range IC50 values across a panel of over 20 OC cell lines and validated its anti-neoplastic activity in ex vivo patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. STP938 synergized with standard-of-care chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors, even in resistant models, further supporting its clinical potential. To elucidate STP938’s mechanism of action, we performed multi-omic profiling (bulk RNAseq, phospho- and total proteomics) on sensitive and isogenic resistant OC lines, as well as single-cell RNAseq of an OC PDX tumor following in vivo treatment with vehicle or STP938, revealed dysregulation of DNA replication, cell cycle, and metabolic pathways. As expected, STP938 rapidly depleted CTP levels, which remain suppressed for 72 hours, suggesting insufficient salvage pathway compensation which ultimately compromised cancer cell viability. As CTP is also a direct precursor for activated intermediates in phospholipid biosynthesis. Mass-spectrometry based lipidomics and metabolomics were employed to interrogate the impact of STP938 in these processes where numerous changes were found. To uncover mechanisms of resistance to STP938 and reveal therapeutic vulnerabilities, we conducted genome-wide CRISPR knockout screens in multiple treatment naïve and STP938 resistant models and analysis of results are ongoing. In collaboration with Step Pharma, a Phase 1a/b clinical trial of STP938 is currently enrolling patients with advanced solid tumors, including an expansion cohort for CTPS2 null OC patients (NCT06297525). These laboratory discoveries and ongoing clinical efforts aim to enable broader uptake of this novel therapeutic approach to improve long-term outcomes in patients with CTPS1-dependent disease. Citation Format: Xiyin Wang, Michael J. Emch, Lauren A. Voll, Rebecca Epp, Esther P. Rodman, Noa Odell, Nicole A. Pearson, Xiaonan Hou, Matthew P. Goetz, Scott H. Kaufmann, S. John Weroha, Philip Beer, John R. Hawse. Exploiting CTPS1 dependency for the treatment of ovarian cancerPR005: Exploiting CTPS1 dependency for the treatment of ovarian cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Advances in Ovarian Cancer Research; 2025 Sep 19-21; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(18_Suppl):Abstract nr PR005.

Background: Targeted therapies, such as endocrine agents, have significantly improved outcomes for patients with estrogen receptor alpha-positive (ERα+) breast cancer. Unfortunately, for patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which lack expression of ERα and HER2, there remains a dearth of targeted adjuvant agents. We discovered that estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) is expressed in approximately 20% of TNBC cases, and its activation has been shown to inhibit proliferation, invasion, and migration in preclinical models. However, it remains unclear whether ERβ-targeted therapies maintain efficacy following the development of chemoresistance. Methods: To address this question, we generated ERβ+ TNBC cell line models with acquired resistance to paclitaxel or doxorubicin. We then assessed their response to ERβ-targeted therapies and analyzed transcriptomic changes associated with chemoresistance and ERβ ligand treatment. Results: Chemotherapy-resistant ERβ+ TNBC cells retained sensitivity to ERβ-targeted therapies and, in some cases, exhibited enhanced responsiveness. ERβ expression did not compromise chemotherapy efficacy in treatment-naïve cells. Chemotherapy-resistant cells had a vastly altered transcriptome and surprisingly, a heavily reduced ERβ transcriptome, compared to sensitive cells despite the maintenance of ERβ-driven anti-neoplastic activity. Conclusions: These findings suggest that ERβ remains a relevant drug target in chemotherapy-refractory disease and has aided in the refinement of a minimal ERβ transcriptomic signature associated with response to ERβ-targeting agents, further informing the primary mechanisms through which ERβ elicits its tumor suppressive effects.

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.

1089 Background: T-DXd has become an important treatment option in mBC and other malignancies. Interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis (ILD) occurred in 10-14% of pts in the DESTINY-Breast trials (0-2% G5 ILD), and with potential lower incidence/severity in earlier line settings (Krop et al, ASCO 2023). We previously reported the Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN experience with T-DXd related ILD in mBC (Hoppenworth et al, ASCO 2024). Here, we expand the data to include patients treated at all locations of the Mayo Clinic Enterprise. Methods: We retrospectively identified pts with mBC who received ≥1 dose of T-DXd across the Mayo Clinic enterprise (Rochester, MN; Mayo Clinic Health System locations in MN/WI; Scottsdale, AZ; and Jacksonville, FL) between July 2022-December 2023. Demographic, mBC characteristics, and pulmonary clinical variables were abstracted from the clinical records. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Diagnosis of ILD was determined by treating clinicians, and severity was approximated to CTCAE V5 based on clinical documentation. Results: 252 pts with mBC received T-DXd during the study period. The majority were Caucasian (86%) and female (99%) with a median age of 63. 91 pts (36%) were current/formers smokers and 97 (39%) had prior pulmonary comorbidities. The majority had HER2 low (155, 62%) and HR positive (164, 65%) mBC. 35 (14%) developed any grade ILD [G1: 6 (17%), G2: 13 (37%), G3: 3 (8.6%), G4: 3 (8.6%), G5: 10 (29%)], with 15 (43%) presenting with ≥G3. 29 (83%) presented with at least 1 symptom (cough or SOB). Among those with previous pulmonary toxicity, 4 (33%) had previous pneumonitis in the ILD cohort. The median prior lines of all therapies (including endocrine therapy) were 5, with a median of 3 prior lines of chemotherapy in both the ILD (range 1-13) and non-ILD cohorts (range 1-13). Median onset to any grade ILD was 7 cycles. 20 pts (57%) received steroids for ILD. 14 (40%) had a bronchoscopy, all had a CT chest, 16 (46%) were hospitalized, 7 (20%) were intubated and 1 (3%) had a lung biopsy. Pts with G5 ILD had a median of 3 lines of chemo and a median of 8 cycles prior to onset of ILD, compared to 3 lines of chemo and a median of 7 cycles for those with G1-4 ILD. G5 pts were all Caucasian females, 5 were former smokers, 5 were non-smokers, 1 had a history of pneumonitis. T-DXd was rechallenged in 4 pts (G1-2 ILD) without ILD recurrence. Conclusions: In this retrospective case series,14% of pts treated with T-DXd experienced any grade ILD (4% G5) which is in alignment with the rate observed in the pivotal DESTINY-Breast trials, though with higher rates of G5 toxicity. Among those with ILD, increased lines of therapy were not associated with increased risk. Further research is needed to correlate risk.

e13551 Background: The landscape of cancer care is evolving rapidly. In 2023, there were 83 new FDA oncology approvals, and 145 interventional treatment (tx) studies opened across Mayo Clinic. We are exploring novel precision outreach approaches utilizing an LLM-integrated chatbot application to “ping” patients (pts) with specific clinical or genomic characteristics about newly available drugs or clinical trials. As novel outreach methods are considered, we surveyed a patient (pt) support group to understand communication preferences and awareness of adjuvant CDK4/6 inhibitors in tx of breast cancer (BC). Methods: On October 7, 2024, we administered a cross-sectional survey to 41 members of the Breast Cancer Support Network (BCSN) in Rochester, MN as a part of an IRB exempt quality improvement project. Leaders of the BCSN shared information to all participants, noting that the survey’s intent was to represent the pt voice and participation was voluntary. Anonymous survey data were collected with descriptive results reported. Results: 34/41 participants in the BCSN shared demographic information. The majority (83%) were > 50 years of age. 47% reported stage I BC, 12% stage II, 6% stage III, and 35% were unsure of their stage. Most participants (26/34, 76%) reported that their BC was hormone receptor positive (HR+), 2 HER-2 positive, and 6 unsure of their BC receptor status. 24/26 (92%) of pts with HR+ BC were taking or planning to start adjuvant endocrine therapy. 10/34 (29%) were aware that adjuvant CDK 4/6 inhibitors were approved. Of these 10 participants, 2 learned of it from online health resources, 6 from their clinician, 1 from social media, and 1 from a support group. The majority (66%) were unsure if they qualified for these drugs. Regarding receipt of information on new drug approvals/tx options, the highest ranked communication preference was to receive this information in person at an upcoming visit (ranked 1st by 50% of participants), followed by EHR-based message (28%), email (10%), phone call (6%), letter (4%), or an interactive chatbot (0%). Most respondents noted that communication from their healthcare provider was very important (30/37, 81%), with others stating that this was somewhat important (5/37, 14%) or neutral (2/37, 5%). Most noted that receiving information about tx options via video or visual aid before a visit would be very helpful (33/41, 80%). When asked about follow up after learning of a new drug approval, 17/32 (53%) of pts preferred an appointment, 9/32 (28%) a phone call, 3/32 (9%) a decision aid tool, and 3/32 (9%) a questionnaire to assess their understanding. Conclusions: Providing personalized, timely communication about new FDA approved tx options is important for BC survivors and critical for improving care delivery. While technological solutions could broaden awareness, this requires balancing pt preferences for direct communication with clinicians.

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.