Purpose
In breast cancer (BC) patients without pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant therapy, residual disease drives recurrence. The HER2 spectrum now includes HER2-low and HER2-ultralow. HER2-low tumors are eligible for HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), while T-DXd is approved for HR-positive HER2-ultralow metastatic BC after endocrine therapy. Evolution patterns of HER2-ultralow versus HER2-null from residual to metastatic disease remain unclear.
Materials and Methods
We retrospectively studied 488 non-pCR patients with refined HER2 classification; 92 with HER2-0 residual disease formed the analytic cohort for HER2-ultralow/HER2-null comparison. HER2 status was tested in paired residual and metastatic lesions. Logistic regression was used to identify factors linked to HER2 evolution.
Results
In the 92‑patient HER2‑0 analytic cohort, HER2-ultralow (46.7% of HER2-0) converted more frequently to HER2-low than HER2-null (51.2% vs 30.6%, p=0.045). This difference remained statistically significant in the multivariable logistic regression model. In the full 517-patient contextual cohort, HER2 expression gain in recurrent/metastatic lesions was independently associated with poorer post-recurrence survival (PRS) (adjusted HR=1.74, p=0.009). In the 488-patient primary cohort, conversion from HER2-0 to HER2-low was also associated with poorer PRS (adjusted HR=2.18, p<0.001). The broader HER2 expression evolution in the full 517‑patient cohort and the primary 488‑patient refined HER2 cohort was consistent with the core finding from the 92‑patient HER2‑0 analytic cohort and supported its biological plausibility.
Conclusion
HER2-ultralow shows distinct evolution and high HER2-low conversion potential, affecting ADC eligibility. Routine HER2-0 subclassification and metastatic HER2 reassessment appear clinically useful and warrant prospective validation.
Major advances in the management of HER2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) have been achieved through treatment intensification with novel HER2-targeted agents and combination strategies, resulting in substantial survival gains. However, indefinite exposure to systemic therapy imposes cumulative toxicity, financial strain, and quality-of-life burdens. In contrast, the concept of treatment de-escalation, aimed at maintaining disease control with less intensive therapy, has only recently emerged as a complementary paradigm.
This review highlights two evolving avenues of treatment de-escalation. First, in hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/ HER2+ disease, randomized trials have demonstrated that combining HER2 blockade with endocrine therapy and CDK4/6 inhibitors can overcome endocrine resistance, offering a chemotherapy-sparing approach with outcomes comparable to chemotherapy or antibody-drug conjugates. Second, in long-term responders, retrospective analyses and ongoing prospective trials are evaluating whether discontinuation of prolonged maintenance HER2 therapy can safely reduce treatment burden while preserving disease control, with the added potential for effective rechallenge upon relapse.
Together, these developments suggest that treatment de-escalation represents a rational and necessary treatment strategy. Future progress will depend on biomarker-driven patient selection and prospective validation. Redefining success in HER2+ MBC to include not only survival but also quality of life and sustainability represents an important step toward patient-centered cancer care.
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) has evolved from a poor prognostic factor to one of the most impactful predictive biomarkers in oncology. The introduction of trastuzumab established HER2 as a binary determinant of therapy, with HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) becoming the treatment-guiding diagnostic assay. However, the emergence of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), particularly trastuzumab deruxtecan, has challenged this paradigm by demonstrating activity in tumors with low and even ultralow HER2 expression. This review outlines the evolution of HER2 testing, from its historical discovery and early assay variability to the ADC era, where categories such as HER2-low and HER2-ultralow have emerged. We highlight key challenges: poor reproducibility at the lower end of IHC scoring, instability of HER2 status across timepoints and between primary and metastatic tumors, and no consistent biological distinction between low, ultralow, and null. Efforts to improve reliability—including structured training, high-sensitivity assays, RNA-based methods, and artificial intelligence-assisted pathology—are summarized. Finally, we reconsider the therapeutic implications of ADCs, with the question of whether the benefit parallels HER2 expression or extends into HER2-null disease. HER2 exemplifies how biomarker interpretation evolves with drug development. As new ADCs target additional antigens, pathologists must balance trial-driven categories with biologic reproducibility to ensure diagnostics remain aligned with therapeutic advances.
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Mechanisms of Resistance and Synergy: The Role of Tumor Microenvironment in HER2-Low Breast Cancer Therapy Youssef Basem, Alamer Ata, Abanoub Sherif, Shaimaa Abdel-Ghany, Borros Arneth, Hussein Sabit Pharmaceuticals.2026; 19(4): 541. CrossRef
Low Expression of a Circular Transcript of the Apoptosis Regulator Gene BOK Is Associated with Unfavorable Prognosis in Breast Cancer Vaia K. Stafyla, Spyridon Christodoulou, Nikolaos Michalopoulos, Efthimios Poulios, Panagiotis Kokoropoulos, Christos K. Kontos, Nikolaos Arkadopoulos Biomedicines.2026; 14(5): 1118. CrossRef
Purpose
Early recurrence reflects aggressive disease and poor prognosis, with patterns varying across breast cancer subtypes. Early recurrence is a major challenge in luminal HER2-negative high proliferative breast cancer, yet reliable biomarkers remain limited. Identifying biomarkers associated with early recurrence is therefore of significant interest.
Materials and Methods
Forty-two patients with stage I–III luminal HER2-negative, high-proliferative breast cancer were enrolled in the VGHTPE cohort and underwent targeted next-generation sequencing using the ACTOnco Comprehensive Cancer Panel. Findings were validated in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and METABRIC datasets, and in vitro experiments were conducted to assess cell aggressiveness.
Results
We examined 42 patients, including 15 who experienced recurrence within five years and 27 who did not. Next-generation sequencing revealed that the most prevalent alterations in this luminal HER2-negative, high-proliferative breast cancer cohort were mutations in PIK3CA and TP53, and amplifications/gains in MCL1, MYC, and KLF6. Patients with recurrence within five years exhibited a higher frequency of ITGB2 gain compared with non-recurrent patients. Validation in the TCGA and METABRIC cohorts confirmed the prognostic significance of ITGB2 gain in ER+/HER2– breast cancers. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis indicated that high ITGB2 expression was enriched in KRAS and EMT pathways. In vitro experiments further demonstrated that ITGB2 knockdown led to inactivation of Akt and ERK signaling and suppression of cell aggressiveness in ER+/HER2– breast cancer cells.
Conclusion ITGB2 gain represents an unfavorable prognostic marker for early recurrence in luminal HER2-negative high proliferative breast cancer, with potential therapeutic implications.
Purpose This study aimed to investigate alteration of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer and its impact on clinical outcomes of patients, focusing on HER2-low status.
Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed clinicopathological data of 1,063 breast cancer patients who underwent NAC between 2013 and 2020. Using paired samples of 670 patients with residual disease after NAC, we analyzed HER2 discordance rates between pre- and post-NAC samples, relationships between HER2 discordance and clinicopathological characteristics of tumors, and clinical outcomes of the patients.
Results Pre-NAC HER2-low status was associated with a lower pathological complete response rate and higher residual cancer burden class compared with HER2-zero and HER2-positive status. However, in subgroup analysis by hormone receptor (HR) status, no statistical differences were found in chemo-responsiveness between them. Following NAC, the overall HER2 discordance rate was 21.2% (κ=0.676), and the most common type of alteration was zero-to-low (11.5%) conversion, followed by low-to-positive (3.6%) conversion. HER2 discordance was significantly associated with lower HER2 levels and HR positivity before NAC, as well as lymphovascular invasion, higher ypT category, and axillary node metastasis in residual disease after NAC. In survival analyses, HER2 discordance was found to be an independent prognostic factor for poor disease-free survival of the patients, particularly within the HR-positive subgroup.
Conclusion Given the prognostic implications of HER2 discordance which primarily involves zero-to-low conversion and the therapeutic benefits of newly developed antibody-drug conjugates in HER2-low breast cancers, HER2 status should be re-evaluated in surgical resection specimens following NAC.
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HER2-Low Breast Cancer: Biological Framework and Determinants of HER2 Instability Alina-Mihaela Gurau, Daniela Mihalache, Catalin-Bogdan Satala, Ana Maria Rață, Laura-Florentina Rebegea Medicina.2026; 62(2): 304. CrossRef
So Hyeon Kim, Yoonjung Park, Ahrum Min, Hye Yeon Park, Yu-Jin Kim, Sujin Ham, Jiwon Koh, Seongyeong Kim, Dae-Won Lee, Han Suk Ryu, Jin-Soo Kim, Kyung-Hun Lee, Seock-Ah Im
Cancer Res Treat. 2026;58(2):407-422. Published online August 4, 2025
Purpose
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is amplified or overexpressed in various malignancies, including breast and gastric cancers, and is associated with poor prognosis. Although HER2-targeted therapies, such as trastuzumab, improve outcomes in HER2-positive tumors, resistance often develops, and HER2-low tumors remain largely untargeted. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd; DS-8201a) is a HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate with potent activity in HER2-positive and HER2-low tumors. This study evaluates its antitumor mechanisms and efficacy in HER2-positive, HER2-low, and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)–associated models.
Materials and Methods
Effects of T-DXd were assessed in cancer cell lines with diverse HER2 expression and HRD status. In vivo efficacy was evaluated using a xenograft model derived from HER2-low SNU-601 gastric cancer cells.
Results
T-DXd reduced HER2 phosphorylation and downstream signaling (AKT, ERK) in HER2-positive cells. It induced DNA damage accumulation, as evidenced by increased γH2AX and p-Chk1 expression, and triggered apoptosis through cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and caspase-3 activation, confirmed by annexin V staining. Similar effects were observed in HER2-low cells, with greater sensitivity in HRD cells. In xenografts, T-DXd reduced tumor volume by up to 80% at 4 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg. Histological analyses showed decreased Ki-67 and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, T-DXd induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and nuclear anaplasia, suggesting disruption of chromosomal stability as a potential antitumor mechanism. No significant toxicity, including body weight loss, was observed.
Conclusion
These findings highlight T-DXd’s effectiveness in HER2-low and HRD tumors, supporting its broader clinical application, including strategies targeting DNA damage repair pathways.
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Redefining HER2 in Breast Cancer: From Conventional Positivity to Low and Ultralow in the New Era of Antibody-Drug Conjugates Jiwon Koh, Seock-Ah Im Cancer Research and Treatment.2026; 58(1): 15. CrossRef
Case Report: Complete metabolic responses to trastuzumab–deruxtecan in HER2-altered solid tumors: two illustrative cases Coline Le Meur, Pierre-Yves Le Roux, Pierre Alemany, Frédéric Chauvelot, Olivier Pradier, Clémence Niel, Alex Bellange, Christos Chouaid, Christophe Massard, Karim Amrane Frontiers in Immunology.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Seung Ah Lee, Ki Jo Kim, Do Youn Woen, Su Min Lee, Kawon Oh, Cho Eun Lee, Woong Ki Park, Ji Won Yoo, Dong Seung Shin, Jai Min Ryu, Se Kyung Lee, Byung Joo Chae, Jonghan Yu, Seok Won Kim, Seok Jin Nam, Ji-Yeon Kim, Yeon Hee Park, Eun Young Ko, Eun Sook Ko, Jeong Eon Lee
Received February 24, 2025 Accepted July 6, 2025 Published online July 8, 2025
Purpose This study aims to investigate the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and predictors of brain metastases in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive advanced breast cancer patients who achieved pathological complete response (pCR) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). This research seeks to inform surveillance strategies and optimize management for high-risk subgroups.
Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis of 1,757 patients (2008-2022) classified them into pCR (n=914) and non-pCR (n=843) groups post-NAC. Collected data included demographics, clinical features, and metastasis parameters. Survival outcomes and brain metastasis predictors were assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves, Cox models, and logistic regression.
Results Among pCR patients, brain metastases accounted for 54.2% of distant metastases, significantly affecting overall survival (p < 0.001). Median distant metastasis-free survival was shorter for brain metastases (13.4 months) compared to extracranial metastases (31.1 months) in the pCR group (p=0.005). Positive supraclavicular node (SCN) fine needle aspiration (FNA) and clinical N3 (cN3) category were the strongest predictors of brain metastases (SCN FNA: odds ratio [OR], 12.9; p < 0.001; cN3: OR, 12.1; p < 0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that positive SCN FNA and cN3 category were strong predictors of reduced distant metastasis-free survival (SCN FNA: hazard ratio, 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3 to 3.6; p < 0.001; cN3: hazard ratio, 11.3; 95% CI, 4.9 to 33.0; p < 0.001).
Conclusion This study highlights the challenges of brain metastases in HER2-positive pCR patients, emphasizing the need for tailored therapeutic strategies and enhanced surveillance. High lymph node burden prior to NAC is a significant factor in risk assessment. Therefore, it may be advisable to recommend post-surgery surveillance for high-risk patients.
Purpose
Dual anti–human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) drugs have become the standard regimen for neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NST) to HER2-positive breast cancer patients. However, the efficacy varies greatly among patients with different HER2 protein expression levels.
Materials and Methods
A total of 575 HER2-positive breast cancer patients from multiple centers throughout China from 2013 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. We compared clinicopathological features in different HER2 immunohistochemistry classes (HER2 2+/in situ hybridization [ISH] + or HER2 3+), and their difference in response to NST and survival with single or dual anti-HER2 drugs. Drug sensitivity assays were used to evaluate different efficacy of anti-HER2 drugs in vitro.
Results
Compared to HER2 3+ subgroup, the HER2 2+/ISH+ group had a higher proportion of hormone receptor–positive status (48.7% vs. 76.1%, p < 0.001), more HER2 protein loss after NST, lower pathological complete response (pCR) rate (46.07% vs. 16.24%, p < 0.001), and tended to have worse disease-free survival (DFS). In HER2 2+/ISH+ patients, treated with pertuzumab and trastuzumab in combination had no significant improvement in pCR (19.12% vs. 12.24%, p=0.287) and DFS (p=0.908) than using alone. Drug sensitivity assay showed poor efficacy with dual anti-HER2 drugs in HER2 2+/ISH+ cell lines; however, fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan drugs had a satisfactory effect.
Conclusion
Owing to the differences in clinicopathological features and treatment efficacy, we considered the HER2 2+/ISH+ group to be a distinct subtype and defined it as the HER2-moderate–positive subgroup. In this subgroup, dual anti-HER2 drugs did not exert significant improvement in pCR and DFS. Therefore, treatment optimization is warranted, with antibody-drug conjugate drugs as potential options.
Yeokyeong Shin, Soo-Young Lee, Hyehyun Jeong, Jin-Hee Ahn, Kyung Hae Jung, Sung-Bae Kim, Hee Jeong Kim, Jong Won Lee, Byung Ho Son, BeomSeok Ko, Ji Sun Kim, Il Yong Chung, Hee Jin Lee, Gyungyub Gong, Sae Byul Lee, Jae Ho Jeong
Cancer Res Treat. 2026;58(1):151-158. Published online March 5, 2025
Purpose Although human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positivity is prevalent in microinvasive breast cancer (MIBC), data focused on HER2-positive MIBC are limited. We investigated the clinical course and long-term outcomes of HER2-positive MIBC and evaluated the role of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Materials and Methods The study included patients with curatively resected pT1mi pN0 HER2-positive breast cancer between January 2000 and January 2020. Treatments and survival outcomes, including invasive breast cancer-free survival (IBCFS), distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.
Results The analysis included 799 female patients. The median age was 51 years (range, 23 to 79 years), and 51.6% (n=412) were premenopausal. Multifocality was confirmed in 17.3% (n=138), and estrogen receptor (ER) positivity in 29.8% (n=238). Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 17.5% (n=140), with doxifluridine in 96.4% of cases. One patient (0.1%) received trastuzumab. With a median follow-up of 119.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 114.0 to 127.0), the 8-year IBCFS, DRFS, and OS were 91.2% (95% CI, 89.1 to 93.3), 97.5% (95% CI, 96.4 to 98.7), and 98.8% (95% CI, 98.0 to 99.6), respectively. No significant differences were observed between patients with and without adjuvant chemotherapy. The lack of differences in IBCFS by chemotherapy was consistent across subgroups, including pre-/postmenopausal patients, grade 1-2/3 tumors, and ER-negative disease.
Conclusion A clinically meaningful proportion of HER2-positive MIBC patients experience IBCFS events with long-term follow-up. Adjuvant chemotherapy did not improve survival, potentially due to the use of an outdated, ineffective regimen. The role of modern adjuvant regimens, particularly those incorporating HER2-targeted therapy, warrants further exploration.
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Microinvasive carcinoma of the breast Rachel Han, Edi Brogi Human Pathology.2025; 162: 105856. CrossRef
Purpose Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) inhibition represents a therapeutic approach with proven clinical efficacy in gastric cancer. However, resistance against HER2-directed therapeutics highlights the need for alternative approaches or drug combinations. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) display a broad spectrum of antitumor properties, which may include effects on receptor tyrosine kinases.
Materials and Methods We analyzed the effects of the class I HDACi entinostat in a panel of HER2-amplified and non-amplified gastric adenocarcinoma cells in 2D cell culture as well as in tumor slice models ex vivo and in patient-derived xenografts in vivo. Effects on protein expression/signal transduction were evaluated by immunoblotting and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
Results HDAC inhibition reduced HER2 protein expression independently of initial HER2 expression levels. This was associated with the upregulation of the HER2-inhibiting microRNA miR-205. The downregulation of HER2 resulted in reduced AKT phosphorylation, apoptosis induction and antiproliferative effects, with particularly high efficiency in HER2-amplified gastric cancer cells. Inhibiting HER2 by a specific kinase inhibitor in gastric cancer cells with low basal HER2 expression led to HER2 upregulation. This was reversed by entinostat treatment and provided the basis for synergistic cell inhibition upon double treatment.
Conclusion We describe the downregulation of HER2 in gastric carcinoma cells upon HDACi treatment. Concomitantly, cells with high basal or treatment-induced HER2 expression showed most profound sensitivities towards HDACi. These findings may thus provide the basis for HDACi treatment as a therapeutic option particularly valuable in HER2-amplified gastric cancer and particularly useful in combination therapies with HER2 inhibitors.
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Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) are a novel class of therapeutics that structurally are composed by an antibody directed to a tumor epitope connected via a linker to a cytotoxic payload, and that have shown significant antitumor activity across a range of malignancies including lung cancer. In this article we review the pharmacology and design of ADCs, as well as we describe the results of different studies evaluating ADCs in lung cancer directed to several targets including HER2, HER3, TROP2, MET, CEACAM5 and DLL3.
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Purpose This Phase II trial was objected to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding fulvestrant to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)+/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)– locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). Additionally, the study aimed to investigate the association of 16α-18F-fluoro-17β-fluoroestradiol (18F-FES) positron emission tomography (PET)–computed tomography (CT) and metabolites with efficacy.
Materials and Methods Fulvestrant and EC-T regimen were given to ER+/HER2– LABC patients before surgery. At baseline, patients received 18F-FES PET-CT scan, and plasma samples were taken for liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included total pathologic complete response (tpCR) and safety.
Results Among the 36 patients enrolled, the ORR was 86.1%, the tpCR rate was 8.3%. The incidence of grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events was 22%. The decrease in ER value in sensitive patients was larger than that in non-sensitive patients, as was Ki-67 (p < 0.05). The maximum standardized uptake value, mean standardized uptake values, total lesion ER expression of 18F-FES PET-CT in sensitive patients were significantly higher than those in non-sensitive patients (p < 0.05). Moreover, these parameters were significantly correlated with Miller and Payne grade and the change in ER expression before and after treatment (p < 0.05). Thirteen differential expressed metabolites were identified, which were markedly enriched in 19 metabolic pathways.
Conclusion This regimen demonstrated acceptable toxicity and encouraging antitumor efficacy. 18F-FES PET-CT might serve as a tool to predict the effectiveness of this therapy. Altered metabolites or metabolic pathways might be associated with treatment response.
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Cancer Res Treat. 2024;56(4):1136-1145. Published online April 29, 2024
Purpose Varlitinib is a pan-human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) inhibitor targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and HER4. We present a phase Ib/II study of a combination of varlitinib and weekly paclitaxel as a second-line treatment for patients with EGFR/HER2 co-expressing advanced gastric cancer (AGC).
Materials and Methods Patients whose tumors with EGFR and HER2 overexpression by immunohistochemistry (≥ 1+) were enrolled. Varlitinib and paclitaxel were investigated every 4 weeks. After determining the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) in phase Ib, a phase II study was conducted to evaluate the antitumor activity.
Results RP2D was treated with a combination of varlitinib (300 mg twice daily) and paclitaxel. Among 27 patients treated with RP2D, the median progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were 3.3 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7 to 4.9) and 7.9 months (95% CI, 5.0 to 10.8), respectively, with a median follow-up of 15.7 months. Among 16 patients with measurable disease, the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate were 31% and 88%, respectively. Patients with strong HER2 expression (n=8) had a higher ORR and longer OS, whereas those with strong EGFR expression (n=3) had poorer outcomes. The most common adverse events (AEs) of any grade were neutropenia (52%), diarrhea (27%), aspartate aminotransferase/alanine transaminase elevation (22%), and nausea (19%). No treatment-related deaths or unexpected AEs resulting from treatment cessation were observed in patients with RP2D.
Conclusion A combination of varlitinib and paclitaxel displayed manageable toxicity and modest antitumor activity in patients with EGFR/HER2 co-expressing AGC who progressed after first-line chemotherapy.
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Purpose Notable effectiveness of trastuzumab deruxtecan in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–low advanced breast cancer (BC) has focused pathologists’ attention. We studied the incidence and clinicopathologic characteristics of HER2-low BC, and the effects of immunohistochemistry (IHC) associated factors on HER2 IHC results.
Materials and Methods The Breast Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists conducted a nationwide study using real-world data on HER2 status generated between January 2022 and December 2022. Information on HER2 IHC protocols at each participating institution was also collected.
Results Total 11,416 patients from 25 institutions included in this study. Of these patients, 40.7% (range, 6.0% to 76.3%) were classified as HER2-zero, 41.7% (range, 10.5% to 69.1%) as HER2-low, and 17.5% (range, 6.7% to 34.0%) as HER2-positive. HER2-low tumors were associated with positive estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor statuses (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Antigen retrieval times (≥ 36 minutes vs. < 36 minutes) and antibody incubation times (≥ 12 minutes vs. < 12 minutes) affected on the frequency of HER2 IHC 1+ BC at institutions using the PATHWAY HER2 (4B5) IHC assay and BenchMark XT or Ultra staining instruments. Furthermore, discordant results between core needle biopsy and subsequent resection specimen HER2 statuses were observed in 24.1% (787/3,259) of the patients.
Conclusion The overall incidence of HER2-low BC in South Korea concurs with those reported in previously published studies. Significant inter-institutional differences in HER2 IHC protocols were observed, and it may have impact on HER2-low status. Thus, we recommend standardizing HER2 IHC conditions to ensure precise patient selection for targeted therapy.
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Purpose Exon 20 insertion mutations (E20ins) in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients has become more important with emergence of novel agents targeting E20ins.
Materials and Methods Advanced/Metastatic NSCLC patients with E20ins were included. EGFR E20ins was identified by two methods, next-generation sequencing (NGS) or real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), while HER2 E20ins was done by NGS only.
Results Between December 2013 and July 2021, E20ins were identified in 107 patients at Asan Medical Center; 67 EGFR E20ins and 40 HER2 E20ins. Out of 32 patients with EGFR E20ins who had tested both PCR and NGS, 17 were identified only through NGS and the other 15 through both tests, giving a discordance rate of 53.1%. There was no clinically significant difference in clinicopathologic features between EGFR and HER2 E20ins; both were observed more frequently in adenocarcinoma, female and never-smokers. Brain metastases were evident at diagnosis in 31.8% of EGFR E20ins and 27.5% of HER2 E20ins, respectively. Platinum-based doublets demonstrated objective response rates (ORR) of 13.3% with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 4.2 months for EGFR E20ins and 35.3% with 4.7 months for HER2 E20ins, respectively. In contrast, novel EGFR E20ins-targeted agents exhibited an ORR of 46.2% with a median PFS of 5.4 months, while HER2-targeted agents showed an ORR of 50% with that of 7.0 months.
Conclusion Identification of EGFR and HER2 E20ins is more important as their targeted therapies improved outcomes. Upfront NGS test as a comprehensive molecular approach is strongly warranted.
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Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, and its subtypes are characterized by hormone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression status. “HER2-low” tumors, which exhibit a low level of HER2 expression (immunohistochemistry 1+ or 2+ without gene amplification), were conventionally considered not amenable to anti-HER2 targeting agents based on the results of a phase III trial of trastuzumab. However, this perspective is being challenged by the emergence of novel anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugates, such as trastuzumab-deruxtecan. These innovative therapies have demonstrated remarkable efficacy against HER2-low breast cancer, shedding new light on a previously overlooked category of breast cancer. Such promising results highlight the need for in-depth investigations of the biology and prognostic implications of HER2-low tumors. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the current evidence surrounding this topic and highlight areas that warrant further exploration and research in the future.
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Purpose This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab biosimilar (HLX02) in combination with pertuzumab and chemotherapy in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) after progression of trastuzumab.
Materials and Methods In this prospective, single-arm, phase II study, patients with HER2-positive MBC after progression of trastuzumab received pertuzuamb, HLX02, and chemotherapy in Beijing Cancer Hospital from March 2020 to December 2022. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), and secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), and safety. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05188495).
Results A total of 45 patients were included in this study. Twelve patients (26.7%) were treated in second-line and 33 patients (73.3%) were in third-line and later setting. Eighty percent and 15.5% patients had previously received pyrotinib/lapatinib and T-DM1, respectively. With a median follow-up of 24.4 months (range, 1.2 to 43.9 months), the median PFS was 7.6 months (95% confidence interval, 4.3 to 10.9), OS was not reached, the ORR was 31.1%, and DCR was 91.1%. The treatment was well tolerated.
Conclusion The combination of trastuzumab biosimilar HLX02, pertuzumab, and chemotherapy exhibited promising efficacy and a favorable safety profile as second- and beyond-line treatment in HER2-positive MBC.
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Comprehensive Analysis of Comparison of Trastuzumab Reference with Biosimilars in the Treatment of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: A Review Aulia Khaerunisa, Ahsanal Kasasiah, Meisya Dwi Ananda, Naila Yusti Fadhilah, Shofiatulfuadah Retnaningrum Herlaesa Jurnal Pijar MIPA.2026; 21(3): 463. CrossRef
Efficacy and safety of biosimilar trastuzumab (HLX02) in patients with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer: a retrospective real-world analysis Xuan Ye, Linlin Wang, Wensheng Liu, Mengmeng Wang, Zihan Guo, Han Shan, Qing Zhai, Qiong Du Frontiers in Oncology.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
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Cancer Res Treat. 2024;56(1):208-218. Published online June 28, 2023
Purpose BVAC-B is an autologous B cell– and monocyte-based immunotherapeutic vaccine that contains cells transfected with a recombinant human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene and loaded with the natural killer T cell ligand alpha-galactosylceramide. Here, we report the first BVAC-B study in patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer.
Materials and Methods Patients with advanced gastric cancer refractory to standard treatment with HER2+ immunohistochemistry ≥ 1 were eligible for treatment. Patients were administered low (2.5×107 cells/dose), medium (5.0×107 cells/dose), or high dose (1.0×108 cells/dose) of BVAC-B intravenously four times every 4 weeks. Primary endpoints included safety and maximum tolerated BVAC-B dose. Secondary endpoints included preliminary clinical efficacy and BVAC-B-induced immune responses.
Results Eight patients were treated with BVAC-B at low (n=1), medium (n=1), and high doses (n=6). No dose-limiting toxicity was observed, while treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were observed in patients treated with medium and high doses. The most common TRAEs were grade 1 (n=2) and grade 2 (n=2) fever. Out of the six patients treated with high-dose BVAC-B, three had stable disease with no response. Interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 increased after BVAC-B treatment in all patients with medium and high dose, and HER2-specific antibody was detected in some patients.
Conclusion BVAC-B monotherapy had a safe toxicity profile with limited clinical activity; however, it activated immune cells in heavily pretreated patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer. Earlier treatment with BVAC-B and combination therapy is warranted for evaluation of clinical efficacy.
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Purpose Heterogeneous human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression in gastric cancer may lead to a misdiagnosis of HER2 status. Accurate assessment of HER2 status is essential for optimal treatment as novel HER2-directed agents are being investigated in various clinical settings. We evaluated the usefulness of HER2 re-assessment following progression on first-line treatment in initially HER2-negative advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients.
Materials and Methods We enrolled 177 patients with baseline HER2-negative AGC and performed HER2 re-assessment after progression on first-line treatment from February 2012 to June 2016 at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. The re-assessed HER2 status was analyzed with baseline HER2 status and clinical characteristics.
Results The median age was 54 years (range, 24 to 80 years), and 123 patients (69.5%) were men. Seven patients (4.0%) were HER2-positive on the re-assessment. Patients with baseline HER2 negativity confirmed by a single test (n=100) had a higher HER2-positive re-assessment rate compared to those who had repeated baseline testing (n=77) (5.0% vs. 2.6%). Among the patients with single baseline HER2 testing, the rate was higher in patients with baseline HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) 1+ compared to those with IHC 0 (13.4% vs. 3.6%).
Conclusion Overall, 4.0% of patients with baseline HER2-negative AGC were HER2-positive on re-assessment, and the HER2-positive re-assessment rate was higher among patients who had a single test at baseline. HER2 re assessment may be considered for initially HER2-negative patients to determine their eligibility for HER2-directed therapy, particularly if their HER2 negativity was determined by a single test, especially if they had a single baseline HER2 IHC 1+ test.
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Purpose Patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–low advanced breast cancer can benefit from trastuzumab deruxtecan. Given the unclear prognostic characteristics of HER2-low breast cancer, we investigated the prognostic characteristics of HER2-low expression from primary tumor to residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).
Materials and Methods The data of HER2-negative patients receiving NACT at our center were collected. Pathological complete response (pCR) rate were compared between HER2-0 and HER2-low patients. The evolution of HER2 expression from primary tumor to residual disease and its impact on disease-free survival (DFS) were examined.
Results Of the 690 patients, 494 patients had HER2-low status, of which 72.3% were hormone receptor (HR)–positive (p < 0.001). The pCR rates of HER2-low and HER2-0 patients (14.2% vs. 23.0%) showed no difference in multivariate analysis regardless of HR status. No association was observed between DFS and HER2 status. Of the 564 non-pCR patients, 57 (10.1%) changed to HER2-positive, and 64 of the 150 patients (42.7%) with HER2-0 tumors changed to HER2-low. HER2-low (p=0.004) and HR-positive (p=0.010) tumors before NACT were prone to HER2 gain. HER2 gain patients had a better DFS compared with HER2-negative maintained patients (87.9% vs. 79.5%, p=0.048), and the DFS of targeted therapy group was better than that of no targeted therapy group (92.4% vs. 66.7%, p=0.016).
Conclusion Although HER2-low did not affect the pCR rate and DFS, significant evolution of HER2-low expression after NACT creates opportunities for targeted therapy including trastuzumab.
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Purpose The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is an established therapeutic target for various kinds of solid tumors. HER2 amplification occurs in approximately 1% to 6% of colorectal cancer. In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy in HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).
Materials and Methods An open-label, phase II trial (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03185988) was designed to evaluate the antitumor activity of trastuzumab and chemotherapy in HER2-positive digestive cancers excluding gastric cancer in 2017. Patients from this trial with HER2-positive, KRAS/BRAF wild-type, unresectable mCRC were analyzed in this manuscript. Eligible patients were treated with trastuzumab (8 mg/kg loading dose and then 6 mg/kg every 3 weeks) and irinotecan (120 mg/m2 days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks). The primary endpoint was the objective response rate.
Results Twenty-one HER2-positive mCRC patients were enrolled in this study. Seven patients (33.3%) achieved an objective res-ponse, and 11 patients (52.4%) had stable disease as their best response. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.3 months (95% confidence interval, 2.7 to 5.9). Four of the 21 patients (19.0%) had grade 3 adverse events, including leukopenia, neutropenia, urinary tract infection, and diarrhea. No treatment-related death was reported. Exploratory analyses revealed that high tumor tissue HER2 copy number was associated with better therapeutic response and PFS. Alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, HER2 gene, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT pathway, and cell cycle control genes were potential drivers of trastuzumab resistance in mCRC.
Conclusion Trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy is a potentially effective and well-tolerated therapeutic regimen in mCRC with a high HER2 copy number.
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Purpose
Mutations in the PIK3CA gene occur frequently in breast cancer patients. Activating PIK3CA mutations confer resistance to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted treatments. In this study, we investigated whether PIK3CA mutations were correlated with treatment response or duration in patients with HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer.
Materials and Methods
We retrospectively reviewed the clinical information of patients with HER2+ breast cancer who received HER2-targeted therapy for early-stage or metastatic cancers. The pathologic complete response (pCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival were compared between patients with wild-type PIK3CA (PIK3CAw) and those with mutated PIK3CA (PIK3CAm). Next-generation sequencing was combined with examination of PFS associated with anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment.
Results
Data from 90 patients with HER2+ breast cancer were analyzed. Overall, 34 (37.8%) patients had pathogenic PIK3CA mutations. The pCR rate of the PIK3CAm group was lower than that of the PIK3CAw group among patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage cancer. In the metastatic setting, the PIK3CAm group showed a significantly shorter mean PFS (mPFS) with first-line anti-HER2 mAb. The mPFS of second-line T-DM1 was lower in the PIK3CAm group than that in the PIK3CAw group. Sequencing revealed differences in the mutational landscape between PIK3CAm and PIK3CAw tumors.
Conclusion
Patients with HER2+ breast cancer with activating PIK3CA mutations had lower pCR rates and shorter PFS with palliative HER2-targeted therapy than those with wild-type PIK3CA. Precise targeted-therapy is needed to improve survival of patients with HER2+/PIK3CAm breast cancer.
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Purpose Trastuzumab has markedly improved the survival outcomes of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive breast cancer, and dual blockade of HER2 using trastuzumab and pertuzumab in combination with taxanes (THP) has become a standard of care for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) worldwide since the CLEOPATRA trial. We assessed the outcomes of THP as a first-line treatment for Korean HER2-positive MBC patients in the real-world setting.
Materials and Methods Between August 2008 and October 2020, we identified 228 HER2-positive MBC patients who received THP as a first-line palliative chemotherapy. We analyzed survival outcomes, efficacy, and adverse events of THP retrospectively.
Results After a median follow-up duration of 28.7 months, median overall survival and progression-free survival were 58.3 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.6 to 80.0) and 19.1 months (95% CI, 16.2 to 21.9), respectively. Better survival outcomes were observed in patient who received docetaxel for more than six cycles. Patients exposed to anti-HER2 directed therapies in a perioperative setting had poor survival outcomes. The overall response rate was 86.8% with a complete response (CR) rate of 17.7%. Among responders, 16.7% of patients sustained THP over 35 months and showed better survivals and higher CR rates. Adverse events were comparable to those reported in previous studies.
Conclusion In a real-world context, clinical outcomes of Korean HER2-positive MBC patients treated with THP were similar to those of patients in the CLEOPATRA trial. Much longer follow-up results would be warranted.
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Cancer Res Treat. 2022;54(4):1091-1098. Published online January 10, 2022
Purpose Docetaxel/carboplatin/trastuzumab/pertuzumab (TCHP) regimen is frequently used to treat early and locally advanced human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive breast cancer (BC) in neoadjuvant setting. However, large-scaled real-world evidence did not exist.
Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients with early or locally advanced HER2-positive BC who underwent neoadjuvant TCHP followed by curative surgery at Samsung Medical Center between January 2016 and August 2020.
Results Of 447 patients, 316 (70.7%) received breast-conserving surgery and 131 (29.3%) received total mastectomy. In terms of neoadjuvant chemotherapy response, pathologic complete response (pCR) and residual cancer burden (RCB) score were analyzed. The rate of pCR was 64% a class of RCB 0 was observed in 65% of cases, RCB class I in 12%, RCB class II in 14%, and RCB class III in 2%. The 3-year event-free survival rate was 90.6%, BC with pCR occurred in 92.8%, and BC with non-pCR in 86.3% (p=0.016). In terms of distant metastasis, the 3-year distant recurrence-free survival rate was 93.5%; BC with pCR occurred in 95.9% and BC with non-pCR in 89.2% (p=0.013). Mucositis (85.2%), pain (83.2%), and diarrhea (70.5%) were the most common non-hematologic adverse events. In terms of hematologic adverse events, anemia (89.9%) was the most commonly observed adverse events followed by thrombocytopenia (29.8%).
Conclusion Neoadjuvant TCHP therapy had a pCR rate of 64% and a 3-year event-free survival of 90% in real world experience. In terms of toxicity profile, anemia was frequently observed and adequate management including occasional transfusion was required.
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Purpose Angiogenesis is a crucial phenomenon in the development and progression of breast cancer (BC), but the clinical significance of angiogenesis-related proteins in metastatic BC remains unknown. This study investigates the prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1, 2, 3 (VEGFR1, VEGFR2, VEGFR3) as well as vascular endothelial growth factors A and C (VEGFA and VEGFC) in metastatic BC patients treated with trastuzumab-based regimens.
Materials and Methods Two hundred female patients were included. Protein and mRNA expression of the studied angiogenesis-related factors were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively.
Results High expression of VEGFA, VEGFC, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and VEGFR3 in the tumor cells was observed in 43.5%, 24.2%, 36%, 29.5%, and 43%, respectively. Stromal elements expressed high levels of VEGFA, VEGFC, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and VEGFR3 in 78.9%, 93.3%, 90.7%, 90.2%, and 74.8% of tumors with available data. High tumor cell expression of VEGFR1 was a favorable prognosticator for survival among patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive tumors (hazard ratio [HR], 0.55; p=0.013). A trend towards longer progression-free survival was detected univariately for patients with HER2-negative tumors and high expression of VEGFR2 (HR, 0.60; p=0.059).
Conclusion VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 seem to have significant prognostic value in BC patients with metastatic disease treated with trastuzumab-based regimens.
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Purpose
We evaluated study outcomes in patients enrolled in Asian regions in the phase III EMBRACA trial of talazoparib vs. chemotherapy.
Materials and Methods
Patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative germline BRCA1/2-mutated advanced breast cancer who received prior chemotherapy were randomized 2:1 to talazoparib 1 mg/day or chemotherapy (physician’s choice). Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) per independent central review in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population. This post-hoc analysis evaluated efficacy/safety endpoints in the ITT population of patients enrolled in Asian regions.
Results
Thirty-three patients were enrolled at Asian sites (talazoparib, n=23; chemotherapy, n=10). Baseline characteristics were generally comparable with the overall EMBRACA population. In Asian patients, median PFS was 9.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.0, 15.2) for talazoparib and 7.1 months (95% CI, 1.2, not reached) for chemotherapy (hazard ratio [HR] 0.74 [95% CI, 0.22, 2.44]). Objective response rate was numerically higher for talazoparib vs. chemotherapy (62.5% [95% CI, 35.4, 84.8] vs. 25.0% [95% CI, 3.2, 65.1]). Median overall survival was 20.7 months (95% CI, 9.4, 40.1) versus 21.2 months (95% CI, 2.7, 35.0) months (HR, 1.41 [95% CI, 0.49, 4.05]). In Asian patients, fewer grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs), serious AEs (SAEs), grade 3/4 SAEs, and AEs resulting in dose reduction/discontinuation occurred with talazoparib than chemotherapy; for talazoparib, the frequency of these events was lower in Asian patients versus overall EMBRACA population.
Conclusion
In this subgroup analysis, talazoparib numerically improved efficacy versus chemotherapy and was generally well tolerated in Asian patients, with fewer grade 3/4 TEAEs, SAEs, and TEAEs leading to dose modification vs. the overall EMBRACA population.
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Purpose
Pyrotinib is a newly-developed irreversible pan-ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. This study reported the first real-world data of pyrotinib-based therapy in metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC), focusing on efficacy in lapatinib-treated patients and in brain metastasis.
Materials and Methods
One hundred thirteen patients with metastatic HER2-positive BC treated with pyrotinib-based therapy in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center under non-clinical trial settings from September 1, 2018 to March 1, 2019 were included.
Results
Over half patients have received more than two lines of systematic therapy and exposed to two or more kinds of anti-HER2 agents. Most patients received a combined therapy, commonly of pyrotinib plus capecitabine, or vinorelbine or trastuzumab. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.3 months (range, 5.54 to 7.06 months) and objective response rate (ORR) was 29.5%, with two patients (1.9%) achieving complete response. Lapatinib-naïve patients had significantly longer PFS than lapatinib-treated patients (9.0 months vs. 5.4 months, p=0.001). ORR for lapatinib-treated patients was 23.2%. Thirty-one of 113 patients have brain metastasis. Median PFS was 6.7 months and intracranial ORR was 28%. For patients without concurrent radiotherapy and/or brain surgery, the ORR was very low (6.3%). But for patients receiving concurrent radiotherapy and/or brain surgery, the ORR was 66.7%, and three patients achieved complete response. Most common adverse event was diarrhea.
Conclusion
Pyrotinib-based therapy demonstrated promising effects in metastatic HER2-positive BC and showed activity in lapatinib-treated patients. For patients with brain metastasis, pyrotinib-based regimen without radiotherapy showed limited efficacy, but when combined with radiotherapy it showed promising intracranial control.
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Purpose
BioPATH is a non-interventional study evaluating the relationship of molecular biomarkers (PTEN deletion/downregulation, PIK3CA mutation, truncated HER2 receptor [p95HER2], and tumor HER2 mRNA levels) to treatment responses in Asian patients with HER2+ advanced breast cancer treated with lapatinib and other HER2-targeted agents. Materials and Methods
Female Asian HER2+ breast cancer patients (n=154) who were candidates for lapatinib-based treatment following metastasis and having an available primary tumor biopsy specimen were included. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints were response rate, overall survival on lapatinib, correlation between biomarker status and PFS for any previous trastuzumab-based treatment, and conversion/conservation rates of the biomarker status between tissue samples collected at primary diagnosis and at recurrence/metastasis. Potential relationships between tumor mRNA levels of HER2 and response to lapatinib-based therapy were also explored.
Results
p95HER2, PTEN deletion/downregulation, and PIK3CA mutation did not demonstrate any significant co-occurrence pattern and were not predictive of clinical outcomes on either lapatinib-based treatment or any previous trastuzumab-based therapy in the metastatic setting. Proportions of tumors positive for p95HER2 expression, PIK3CA mutation, and PTEN deletion/down-regulation at primary diagnosis were 32%, 31.2%, and 56.2%, respectively. Despite limited availability of paired samples, biomarker status patterns were conserved in most samples. HER2 mRNA levels were not predictive of PFS on lapatinib.
Conclusion
The prevalence of p95HER2 expression, PIK3CA mutation, and PTEN deletion/downregulation at primary diagnosis were similar to previous reports. Importantly, no difference was observed in clinical outcome based on the status of these biomarkers, consistent with reports from other studies.
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Brain metastasis affects one third of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer after treatment with trastuzumab. Surgical resection and radiation therapy are often unsuccessful at accomplishing complete control of metastasis. Lapatinib is presumed to cross the blood-brain barrier, and exhibits clinical activities for treatment of HER2- positive breast cancer. A 43-year-old woman was treated for early breast carcinoma with total mastectomy, axillary lymph-node dissection, and adjuvant chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide plus doxorubicin. After the end of adjuvant trastuzumab therapy, she was diagnosed with panhypopituitarism due to pituitary metastasis. Surgical removal and whole brain radiation therapy were performed, but a portion of viable tumor remained. Only taking lapatinib, the size of the metastatic lesion began to shrink. Trastuzumab may have controlled the micro-metastasis of breast cancer, but it was unable to control its progression to the central nervous system. Lapatinib is a possible option for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients with brain metastasis.
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PURPOSE Inflammation within the tumor microenvironment has been reported to show an association with poor prognosis in breast cancer. However, the associations may differ according to breast cancer subtype. In this study, we investigated the association between inflammation-related markers and breast cancer recurrence according to patients' tumor subtypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective study included 240 patients who underwent surgery for management of newly diagnosed breast cancer. Levels of inflammation-related markers (interleukin [IL]-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1], leptin, and adiponectin) were measured at diagnosis, and the associations between these markers and breast cancer recurrence during a six-year follow-up period were examined using the Kaplan-Meier statistical method. RESULTS Overall, inflammation-related markers showed no association with breast cancer recurrence. However, when data were stratified by tumor subtype, higher levels of some mediators showed an association with poor prognosis among patients with particular subtypes. Compared to patients without recurrence, patients with recurrence had higher levels of circulating IL-6 (p=0.024) and IL-8 (p=0.016) only among those with HER2- tumors and had higher levels of leptin (p=0.034) only among those with estrogen receptor (ER)+/progesterone receptor (PR)+ tumors. Results of survival analyses revealed an association of high levels of IL-6 (p=0.016) and IL-8 (p=0.022) with poor recurrence-free survival in patients with HER2- tumors. In addition, higher leptin levels indicated shorter recurrence-free survival time only among patients with ER+/PR+ tumors (p=0.022). CONCLUSION We found that certain cytokines could have a differential prognostic impact on breast cancer recurrence according to breast cancer subtype. Conduct of additional large studies will be required in order to elucidate the precise roles of these cytokines in breast cancer progression.
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