HER2 Positivity Predicts Unresponsiveness to EGFR‐Targeted Treatment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Conclusion.Testing for HER2 should be offered to all patients with metastatic CRC because the occurrence of this biomarker is unlikely to be predicted based on main clinicopathological features. Patients with HER2‐amplified metastatic CRC are less likely to respond to anti‐EGFR therapy.Implications for Practice.Patients with HER2‐amplified/overexpressed metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) harbor a driver actionable molecular alteration that has been shown in preclinical models to hamper efficacy of the anti‐epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeted therapies. The present study confirmed that this molecular feature was associated with worse objective tumor response and shorter progression‐free survival in response to previous anti‐EGFR therapies. Moreover, it was found that the occurrence of this biomarker is unlikely to be predicted based on main clinicopathological features. Therefore, HER2 status assessment should be included in the molecular diagnostic workup of all mCRC for speedy referral to clinical trials encompassing HER2‐targeted double blockade independently of previous anti‐EGFR treatment.

Source: The Oncologist - October 15, 2019 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Andrea Sartore-Bianchi, Alessio Amatu, Luca Porcu, Silvia Ghezzi, Sara Lonardi, Francesco Leone, Francesca Bergamo, Elisabetta Fenocchio, Erika Martinelli, Beatrice Borelli, Federica Tosi, Patrizia Racca, Emanuele Valtorta, Emanuela Bonoldi, Cosimo Martin Tags: Cancer Diagnostics and Molecular Pathology, Gastrointestinal Cancer Source Type: research