Interplay between Natural Killer Cells and Anti-HER2 Antibodies: Perspectives for Breast Cancer Immunotherapy

Modulation of the tumor microenvironment and mechanism of immunotherapy-based drug resistance in breast cancer

Breast cancer, the most frequent female malignancy, is often curable when detected at an early stage. The treatment of metastatic breast cancer is more challenging and may be unresponsive to conventional therapy. Immunotherapy is crucial for treating metastatic breast cancer, but its resistance is a major limitation. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is vital in modulating the immunotherapy response. Various tumor microenvironmental components, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), are involved in TME modulation to cause immunotherapy resistance. This review highlights the role of stromal cells in modulating the breast tumor microenvironment, including the involvement of CAF-TAM interaction, alteration of tumor metabolism leading to immunotherapy failure, and other latest strategies, including high throughput genomic screening, single-cell and spatial omics techniques for identifying tumor immune genes regulating immunotherapy response. This review emphasizes the therapeutic approach to overcome breast cancer immune resistance through CAF reprogramming, modulation of TAM polarization, tumor metabolism, and genomic alterations.

The Role of Fc Receptors in the Innate Immune System of Flounders Purported to Be Homologs of FcγRII and FcγRIII

FcγR is a significant opsonin receptor located on the surface of immune cells, playing a crucial role in Ab-dependent cell-mediated immunity. Our previous work revealed opposite expression trends of FcγRII and FcγRIII in flounder mIgM+ B lymphocytes after phagocytosis of antiserum-opsonized Edwardsiella tarda. This observation suggests that FcγRII and FcγRIII might serve distinct functions in Ig-opsonized immune responses. In this study, we prepared rFcγRIII as well as its corresponding Abs to investigate the potential roles of FcγRII and FcγRIII in the Ab-dependent immune response of IgM+ B cells. Our findings indicate that, unlike FcγRII, FcγRIII does not participate in Ab-dependent cellular phagocytosis. Instead, it is involved in cytokine production and bacterial killing in mIgM+ B lymphocytes. Additionally, we identified platelet-derived ADAM17 as a key factor in regulating FcγRIII shedding and cytokine release in mIgM+ B lymphocytes. These results elucidate the functions of FcγRII and FcγRIII in the innate immunology of mIgM+ B lymphocytes and contribute to an improved understanding of the regulatory roles of FcγRs in the phagocytosis of teleost B lymphocytes.

Steroid Premedication and Monoclonal Antibody Therapy: Should We Reconsider?

OPINION STATEMENT

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy is now considered a main component of cancer therapy in Australia. Although traditionally thought of as pure signalling inhibitors, a large proponent of these medications function through antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Currently, most protocols and institutional guidelines for ADCC-mediated mAbs promote the use of corticosteroids as premedication: this is implemented to reduce infusion-related reactions (IRRs) and antiemesis prophylaxis and combat concurrently administered chemotherapy-related syndromes. Concerningly, the inhibitory effects of ADCC by corticosteroids are well documented; henceforth, it is possible the current standard of care is misaligned to the literature surrounding ADCC. Subsequently, clinicians' decisions to act in contrast to this literature may be reducing the efficacy of mAbs. The literature suggests that the redundant use of corticosteroids should be cautioned against when used in conjunction with ADCC-mediated mAbs-this is due to the consequent reduction in anti-tumour activity. Owing to the fact IRRs typically occur upon initial infusion, the authors advocate for individual clinicians and institutional protocols to considering augmenting their practice to corticosteroid premedication at the first dose only, unless clinically indicated. Additionally, product information (PI) and consumer medicine information (CMI) documents distributed by Australian and international regulatory agencies should consider disclosing the risk of concurrent steroids with these medications. Moreover, the authors suggest considering alternative medications for the management of side effects.

Expanding CAR-T cell immunotherapy horizons through microfluidics

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, particularly in hematological malignancies. However, their application to solid tumors is limited, and they face challenges in safety, scalability, and cost. To enhance current CAR-T cell therapies, the integration of microfluidic technologies, harnessing their inherent advantages, such as reduced sample consumption, simplicity in operation, cost-effectiveness, automation, and high scalability, has emerged as a powerful solution. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the step-by-step manufacturing process of CAR-T cells, identifies existing difficulties at each production stage, and discusses the successful implementation of microfluidics and related technologies in addressing these challenges. Furthermore, this review investigates the potential of microfluidics-based methodologies in advancing cell-based therapy across various applications, including solid tumors, next-generation CAR constructs, T-cell receptors, and the development of allogeneic "off-the-shelf" CAR products.

Reviewing the significance of dendritic cell vaccines in interrupting breast cancer development

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease and is the most prevalent cancer in women. According to the U.S breast cancer statistics, about 1 in every 8 women develop an invasive form of breast cancer during their lifetime. Immunotherapy has been a significant advancement in the treatment of cancer with multiple studies reporting favourable patient outcomes by modulating the immune response to cancer cells. Here, we review the significance of dendritic cell vaccines in treating breast cancer patients. We discuss the involvement of dendritic cells and oncodrivers in breast tumorigenesis, highlighting the rationale for targeting oncodrivers and neoantigens using dendritic cell vaccine therapy. We review different dendritic cell subsets and maturation states previously used to develop vaccines and suggest the use of DC vaccines for breast cancer prevention. Further, we highlight that the intratumoral delivery of type 1 dendritic cell vaccines in breast cancer patients activates tumor antigen-specific CD4+ T helper cell type 1 (Th1) cells, promoting an anti-tumorigenic immune response while concurrently blocking pro-tumorigenic responses. In summary, this review provides an overview of the current state of dendritic cell vaccines in breast cancer highlighting the challenges and considerations necessary for an efficient dendritic cell vaccine design in interrupting breast cancer development.

NK cell-triggered CCL5/IFNγ-CXCL9/10 axis underlies the clinical efficacy of neoadjuvant anti-HER2 antibodies in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The variability in responses to neoadjuvant treatment with anti-HER2 antibodies prompts to personalized clinical management and the development of innovative treatment strategies. Tumor-infiltrating Natural Killer (TI-NK) cells can predict the efficacy of HER2-targeted antibodies independently from clinicopathological factors in primary HER2-positive breast cancer patients. Understanding the mechanism/s underlying this association would contribute to optimizing patient stratification and provide the rationale for combinatorial approaches with immunotherapy.

METHODS

We sought to uncover processes enriched in NK cell-infiltrated tumors as compared to NK cell-desert tumors by microarray analysis. Findings were validated in clinical trial-derived transcriptomic data. In vitro and in vivo preclinical models were used for mechanistic studies. Findings were analysed in clinical samples (tumor and serum) from breast cancer patients.

RESULTS

NK cell-infiltrated tumors were enriched in CCL5/IFNG-CXCL9/10 transcripts. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, IFNG levels underlie the association between TI-NK cells and pathological complete response to neoadjuvant treatment with trastuzumab. Mechanistically, the production of IFN-ɣ by CD16+ NK cells triggered the secretion of CXCL9/10 from cancer cells. This effect was associated to tumor growth control and the conversion of CD16 into CD16-CD103+ NK cells in humanized in vivo models. In human breast tumors, the CD16 and CD103 markers identified lineage-related NK cell subpopulations capable of producing CCL5 and IFN-ɣ, which correlated with tissue-resident CD8+ T cells. Finally, an early increase in serum CCL5/CXCL9 levels identified patients with NK cell-rich tumors showing good responses to anti-HER2 antibody-based neoadjuvant treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identifies specialized NK cell subsets as the source of IFN-ɣ influencing the clinical efficacy of anti-HER2 antibodies. It also reveals the potential of serum CCL5/CXCL9 as biomarkers for identifying patients with NK cell-rich tumors and favorable responses to anti-HER2 antibody-based neoadjuvant treatment.

Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies against Cancer: Present and Future

A series of monoclonal antibodies with therapeutic potential against cancer have been generated and developed. Ninety-one are currently used in the clinics, either alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents or other antibodies, including immune checkpoint antibodies. These advances helped to coin the term personalized medicine or precision medicine. However, it seems evident that in addition to the current work on the analysis of mechanisms to overcome drug resistance, the use of different classes of antibodies (IgA, IgE, or IgM) instead of IgG, the engineering of the Ig molecules to increase their half-life, the acquisition of additional effector functions, or the advantages associated with the use of agonistic antibodies, to allow a broad prospective usage of precision medicine successfully, a strategy change is required. Here, we discuss our view on how these strategic changes should be implemented and consider their pros and cons using therapeutic antibodies against cancer as a model. The same strategy can be applied to therapeutic antibodies against other diseases, such as infectious or autoimmune diseases.

Immune microenvironment dynamics of HER2 overexpressing breast cancer under dual anti-HER2 blockade

Introduction

The clinical prognosis of the HER2-overexpressing (HER2-OE) subtype of breast cancer (BC) is influenced by the immune infiltrate of the tumor. Specifically, monocytic cells, which are promoters of pro-tumoral immunosuppression, and NK cells, whose basal cytotoxic function may be enhanced with therapeutic antibodies. One of the standards of care for HER2+ BC patients includes the combination of the anti-HER2 antibodies trastuzumab and pertuzumab. This dual combination was a breakthrough against trastuzumab resistance; however, this regimen does not yield complete clinical benefit for a large fraction of patients. Further therapy refinement is still hampered by the lack of knowledge on the immune mechanism of action of this antibody-based dual HER2 blockade.

Methods

To explore how the dual antibody challenge influences the phenotype and function of immune cells infiltrating the HER2-OE BC microenvironment, we developed in vitro 3D heterotypic cell models of this subtype. The models comprised aggregates of HER2+ BC cell lines and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Cells were co-encapsulated in a chemically inert alginate hydrogel and maintained in agitation-based culture system for up to 7 days.

Results

The 3D models of the HER2-OE immune microenvironment retained original BC molecular features; the preservation of the NK cell compartment was achieved upon optimization of culture time and cytokine supplementation. Challenging the models with the standard-of-care combination of trastuzumab and pertuzumab resulted in enhanced immune cytotoxicity compared with trastuzumab alone. Features of the response to therapy within the immune tumor microenvironment were recapitulated, including induction of an immune effector state with NK cell activation, enhanced cell apoptosis and decline of immunosuppressive PD-L1+ immune cells.

Conclusions

This work presents a unique human 3D model for the study of immune effects of anti-HER2 biologicals, which can be used to test novel therapy regimens and improve anti-tumor immune function.

Remodeled tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) parade via natural killer cells reprogramming in breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is the main cause of cancer-related mortality among women globally. Despite substantial advances in the identification and management of primary tumors, traditional therapies including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation cannot completely eliminate the danger of relapse and metastatic illness. Metastasis is controlled by microenvironmental and systemic mechanisms, including immunosurveillance. This led to the evolvement of immunotherapies that has gained much attention in the recent years for cancer treatment directed to the innate immune system. The long forgotten innate immune cells known as natural killer (NK) cells have emerged as novel targets for more effective therapeutics for BC. Normally, NK cells has the capacity to identify and eradicate tumor cells either directly or by releasing cytotoxic granules, chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines. Yet, NK cells are exposed to inhibitory signals by cancer cells, which causes them to become dysfunctional in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in BC, supporting tumor escape and spread. Potential mechanisms of NK cell dysfunction in BC metastasis have been recently identified. Understanding these immunologic pathways driving BC metastasis will lead to improvements in the current immunotherapeutic strategies. In the current review, we highlight how BC evades immunosurveillance by rendering NK cells dysfunctional and we shed the light on novel NK cell- directed therapies.

Associations of Multiparametric Breast MRI Features, Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes, and Immune Gene Signature Scores Following a Single Dose of Trastuzumab in HER2-Positive Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Dynamic biomarkers that permit the real-time monitoring of the tumor microenvironment response to therapy are an unmet need in breast cancer. Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has demonstrated value as a predictor of pathologic complete response and may reflect immune cell changes in the tumor microenvironment. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the value of breast MRI features as early markers of treatment-induced immune response. Fourteen patients with early HER2+ breast cancer were enrolled in a window-of-opportunity study where a single dose of trastuzumab was administered and both tissue and MRIs were obtained at the pre- and post-treatment stages. Functional diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI tumor measures were compared with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and RNA immune signature scores. Both the pre-treatment apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and the change in peak percent enhancement (DPE) were associated with increased tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes with trastuzumab therapy (r = -0.67 and -0.69, p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). Low pre-treatment ADC and a greater decrease in PE in response to treatment were also associated with immune-activated tumor microenvironments as defined by RNA immune signatures. Breast MRI features hold promise as biomarkers of early immune response to treatment in HER2+ breast cancer.

Phenotypic and functional analysis in HER2+ targeted therapy of human NK cell subpopulation according to the expression of FcεRIγ and NKG2C in breast cancer patients

Adaptive NK cells constitute an NK cell subpopulation, which expands after human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. This subpopulation has stronger production of cytokines after CD16 stimulation, longer life and persistence than conventional NK cells and are, therefore, interesting tools for cancer immunotherapy. Since there is limited information on adaptive NK cells in cancer patients, we described this population phenotypically and functionally, by flow cytometry, in the context of HER2 + breast cancer (BC) directed therapy. We assessed HCMV status in 78 patients with BC. We found that, similarly to healthy donors (HD), a high proportion of BC patients were HCMV-positive, and nearly 72% of them had an adaptive NK cell subpopulation characterized by the loss of FcεRIγ intracellular adaptor protein or the presence of NKG2C receptor. However, in BC patients, FcεRIγ-  and NKG2C + NK cell populations overlapped to a lesser extent than in HD. Otherwise, no profound phenotypic differences were found between BC patients and HD. Although FcεRIγ-  or NKG2C + NK cell subsets from BC patients produced more IFN-γ than their FcεRIγ + or NKG2C-  NK cell counterparts, IFN-γ production increased only when NK cells simultaneously expressed FcεRIγ- and NKG2C + , whereas in HD the presence of NKG2C marker was sufficient to display greater functionality. Furthermore, in a group of patients treated with chemotherapy and Trastuzumab plus Pertuzumab, FcεRIγ-NKG2C + and FcεRIγ-NKG2C- NK cells retained greater functionality after treatment than FcεRIγ + NKG2C-  NK cells. These results suggest that the presence or magnitude of adaptive NK cell subsets might serve as a key determinant for therapeutic approaches based on antibodies directed against tumor antigens.

Challenges in the combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy for breast cancer

INTRODUCTION

Immunotherapy (IT) is showing promise in the treatment of breast cancer, but IT alone only benefits a minority of patients. Radiotherapy (RT) is usually included in the standard of care for breast cancer patients and is traditionally considered as a local form of treatment. The emerging knowledge of RT-induced systemic immune response, and the observation that the rare abscopal effect of RT on distant cancer metastases can be augmented by IT, have increased the enthusiasm for combinatorial immunoradiotherapy (IRT) for breast cancer patients. However, IRT largely follows the traditional sole RT and IT protocols and does not consider patient specificity, although patients' responses to treatment remain heterogeneous.

AREAS COVERED

This review discusses the rationale of IRT for breast cancer, the current knowledge, challenges, and future directions.

EXPERT OPINION

The synergy between RT and the immune system has been observed but not well understood at the basic level. The optimal dosages, timing, target, and impact of biomarkers are largely unknown. There is an urgent need to design efficacious pre-clinical and clinical trials to optimize IRT for cancer patients, maximize the synergy of radiation and immune response, and explore the abscopal effect in depth, taking into account patients' personal features.

Absolute Lymphocyte Count Changes During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy are Associated With Prognosis of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Breast Cancer Patients

NTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND

Some reports have shown that absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) is associated with prognosis in breast cancer; however, the impact of ALC changes remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ALC changes during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer patients and disease prognosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort study January 2010 to September 2020) included patients diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer and treated with trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The ALC ratio was defined as the ALC value after administration of the anti-HER2 drug divided by the ALC value before administration. The optimal ALC ratio cut-off value was identified using the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and Youden's index. The relationship between the ALC ratio and disease-free survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

Data from a total of 100 HER2-positive breast cancer patients were analyzed. The cut-off value of the ALC ratio was set as 1.142. The median follow-up period was 52.0 (range: 5.1-123.7) months. The 5-year disease-free survival rates were 88.4% and 60.9% in the high-and low-ALC ratio groups, respectively, and were significantly higher in the high-ALC ratio group (p = .0031). The ALC ratio was an independent prognostic factor in multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis (p = .0032).

CONCLUSION

HER2-positive breast cancer patients with a higher ALC ratio during trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy may have a better prognosis than their counterparts.

Genetic and immune microenvironment characterization of HER2-positive gastric cancer: Their association with response to trastuzumab-based treatment

BACKGROUND

We aimed to determine the molecular and immune microenvironment characteristics of HER2-positive gastric cancer (GC) related to the patient's response to first-line trastuzumab-based treatment.

METHODS

Eighty-three cases of HER2-positive advanced gastric adenocarcinoma patients treated with trastuzumab were enrolled. Targeted deep sequencing and transcriptome analysis were performed on selected 21 cases (exploration cohort) along with two post-treatment samples. The results were compared between patients progressed before 6 months (Group 2) and others (Group 1), and were validated by FISH and immunohistochemistry in total cohort. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were evaluated using RNA sequencing data and multiplex immunohistochemistry. Progression-free survival (PFS) analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Group 1 showed frequent amplification of G1/S cell cycle checkpoint-related genes and upregulated KEGG pathways related to cell proliferation. In contrast, Group 2 had more frequent EGFR, HER3, and MET amplification and higher RNA expression in immune-related KEGG pathways than Group 1. In total cohort, significant predictors of better PFS were cell cycle-related including CCNE1 amplification, Cyclin A and PLK1 overexpression, and decreased Cyclin D3 and HER3 expression (p < 0.05), or immune-related including high density of CD3^- CD57⁺ NK cells and PD-L1 combined positive score ≥5 (p < 0.05). The best prognostic predictors were a combination of Cyclin A, Cyclin E, p21, and HER3 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

HER2-positive GC with favorable response to trastuzumab were characterized by cell cycle-related gene alterations and increased CD3^- CD57⁺ NK cell infiltration. These findings would be helpful to the fine modulation of therapeutic strategies for patients with HER2-positive GC.

Natural killer cells and type 1 innate lymphoid cells in cancer

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a group of innate lymphocytes that do not express RAG-dependent rearranged antigen-specific cell surface receptors. ILCs are classified into five groups according to their developmental trajectory and cytokine production profile. They encompass NK cells, which are cytotoxic, helper-like ILCs 1-3, which functionally mirror CD4⁺ T helper (Th) type 1, Th2 and Th17 cells respectively, and lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi) cells. NK cell development depends on Eomes (eomesodermin), whereas the ILC1 program is regulated principally by the transcription factor T-bet (T-box transcription factor Tbx21), that of ILC2 is regulated by GATA3 (GATA-binding protein 3) and that of ILC3 is regulated by RORγt (RAR-related orphan receptor γ). NK cells were discovered close to fifty years ago, but ILC1s were first described only about fifteen years ago. Within the ILC family, NK and ILC1s share many similarities, as witnessed by their cell surface phenotype which largely overlap. NK cells and ILC1s have been reported to respond to tissue inflammation and intracellular pathogens. Several studies have reported an antitumorigenic role for NK cells in both humans and mice, but data for ILC1s are both scarce and contradictory. In this review, we will first describe the different NK cell and ILC1 subsets, their effector functions and development. We will then discuss their role in cancer and the effects of the tumor microenvironment on their metabolism.

Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Immune Response in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2-positive) breast cancer accounts for 15 to 25% of breast cancer cases. Although therapies based on the use of monoclonal anti-HER2 antibodies present clinical benefit for a subtype of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, more than 50% of them are unresponsive to targeted therapies or they eventually relapse. In recent years, reactivation of the adaptive immune system in patients with solid tumors has emerged as a therapeutic option with great potential for clinical benefit. Since the approval of the first treatment directed against HER2 as a therapeutic target, the range of clinical options has expanded greatly, and, in this sense, cellular immunotherapy with T cells relies on the cytotoxicity generated by these cells, which ultimately leads to antitumor activity. Lymphocytic infiltration of tumors encompasses a heterogeneous population of immune cells within the tumor microenvironment that exhibits distinct patterns of immune activation and exhaustion. The prevalence and prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) counts are associated with a favorable prognosis in HER2-positive breast cancers. This review discusses emerging findings that contribute to a better understanding of the role of immune infiltrates in HER2-positive breast cancer. In addition, it summarizes the most recent results in HER2-positive breast cancer immunotherapy and anticipates which therapeutic strategies could be applied in the immediate future.

Clinical implication of genetic composition and molecular mechanism on treatment strategies of HER2-positive breast cancers

The current clinical management model of HER2-positive breast cancers is commonly based on guidelines, which in turn are based on the design and outcome of clinical trials. While this model is useful to most practicing clinicians, the treatment outcome of individual patient is not certain at the start of treatment. As the understanding of the translational research of carcinogenesis and the related changes in cancer genetics and tumor microenvironment during treatment is critical in the selection of right choice of treatment to maximize the successful clinical outcome for the patient, this review article intends to discuss the latest developments in the genetic and molecular mechanisms of cancer progression and treatment resistance, and how they influence the planning of the treatment strategies of HER2-positive breast cancers.

Strategies for the treatment of HER2+ advanced breast cancer based on clinical practice in Chinese patients: a roundtable discussion

Human epithelial growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer is easy to relapse and metastasize in the early stage, and usually has more aggressive clinical behavior and worse patient survival outcomes as compared with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), HER2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer. The HER2+ breast cancer has been significantly enhanced by trastuzumab and other multiple novel HER2 anti-tumor drugs. The dual combination regimen of trastuzumab + pertuzumab has been established as the standard first-line therapy for advanced HER2+ patients, and pyrotinib with capecitabine is the preferred second-line treatment in Chinese patients. However, no third- or later-line regimens are currently recommended, and thus, the treatment needs of these patients remain unmet. Margetuximab is a human/mouse chimeric anti-HER2 immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody (mAb) based on the murine precursor of trastuzumab, has shown greater efficacy than trastuzumab in terms of its natural killer (NK) cell-mediated antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) effect and may become the preferred solution for HER2+ metastatic breast cancer (mBC) following progression on second-line therapy with small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). This paper explores discussion of therapeutic strategies of anti-HER2 drugs based on Chinese clinical practice, and summarizes the consensus and controversy in the post-anti-HER2 TKIs guideline recommendations, so as to provide certain guidance to HER2+ mBC patients pretreated with TKIs in the third or later lines.

A single arm phase Ib/II trial of first-line pembrolizumab, trastuzumab and chemotherapy for advanced HER2-positive gastric cancer

In this multi-center phase II trial, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of a quadruplet regimen (pembrolizumab, trastuzumab, and doublet chemotherapy) as first-line therapy for unresectable or metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive advanced gastric cancer (AGC) (NCT02901301). The primary endpoints were recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) for phase Ib and objective response rate (ORR) for phase II. The secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), duration of response, time to response and safety. Without dose-limiting or unexpected toxicities, the starting dose in the phase Ib trial was selected as RP2D. In 43 patients, the primary endpoint was achieved: the objective response rate was 76.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 61.4-88.2), with complete and partial responses in 14% and 62.8% of patients, respectively. The median progression-free survival, overall survival, and duration of response were 8.6 months, 19.3 months, and 10.8 months, respectively. No patients discontinued pembrolizumab because of immune-related adverse events. Programmed death ligand-1 status was not related to survival. Post hoc analyses of pretreatment tumor specimens via targeted sequencing indicated that ERBB2 amplification, RTK/RAS pathway alterations, and high neoantigen load corrected by HLA-B were positively related to survival. The current quadruplet regimen shows durable efficacy and safety for patients with HER2-positive AGC.

Heterogeneity and Functions of Tumor-Infiltrating Antibody Secreting Cells: Lessons from Breast, Ovarian, and Other Solid Cancers

Simple Summary

B cells are gaining increasing recognition as important contributors to the tumor microenvironment, influencing, positively or negatively, tumor growth, patient survival, and response to therapies. Antibody secreting cells (ASCs) constitute a variable fraction of tumor-infiltrating B cells in most solid tumors, and they produce tumor-specific antibodies that can drive distinct immune responses depending on their isotypes and specificities. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of the heterogeneity of ASCs infiltrating solid tumors and how both their canonical and noncanonical functions shape antitumor immunity, with a special emphasis on breast and ovarian cancers.

Abstract

Neglected for a long time in cancer, B cells and ASCs have recently emerged as critical actors in the tumor microenvironment, with important roles in shaping the antitumor immune response. ASCs indeed exert a major influence on tumor growth, patient survival, and response to therapies. The mechanisms underlying their pro- vs. anti-tumor roles are beginning to be elucidated, revealing the contributions of their secreted antibodies as well as of their emerging noncanonical functions. Here, concentrating mostly on ovarian and breast cancers, we summarize the current knowledge on the heterogeneity of tumor-infiltrating ASCs, we discuss their possible local or systemic origin in relation to their immunoglobulin repertoire, and we review the different mechanisms by which antibody (Ab) subclasses and isoforms differentially impact tumor cells and anti-tumor immunity. We also discuss the emerging roles of cytokines and other immune modulators produced by ASCs in cancer. Finally, we propose strategies to manipulate the tumor ASC compartment to improve cancer therapies.

The modulatory role of dendritic cell-T cell cross-talk in breast cancer: Challenges and prospects

Antigen recognition and presentation are highlighted as the first steps in developing specialized antigen responses. Dendritic cells (DCs) are outstanding professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) responsible for priming cellular immunity in pathological states, including cancer. However, the diminished or repressed function of DCs is thought to be a substantial mechanism through which tumors escape from the immune system. In this regard, DCs obtained from breast cancer (BC) patients represent a notably weakened potency to encourage specific T-cell responses. Additionally, impaired DC-T-cell cross-talk in BC facilitates the immune evade of cancer cells and is connected with tumor advancement, immune tolerance, and adverse prognosis for patients. In this review we aim to highlight the available knowledge on DC-T-cell interactions in BC aggressiveness and show its therapeutic potential in BC treatment.

IFI16-dependent STING signaling is a crucial regulator of anti-HER2 immune response in HER2+ breast cancer

Relapse to anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies, such as trastuzumab in HER2⁺ breast cancer (BC), is associated with residual disease progression due to resistance to therapy. Here, we identify interferon-γ inducible protein 16 (IFI16)-dependent STING signaling as a significant determinant of trastuzumab responses in HER2⁺ BC. We show that down-regulation of immune-regulated genes (IRG) is specifically associated with poor survival of HER2⁺, but not other BC subtypes. Among IRG, IFI16 is identified as a direct target of EZH2, the underexpression of which leads to deficient STING activation and downstream CXCL10/11 expression in response to trastuzumab treatment. Dual inhibition of EZH2 and histone deacetylase (HDAC) significantly activates IFI16-dependent immune responses to trastuzumab. Notably, a combination of a novel histone methylation inhibitor with an HDAC inhibitor induces complete tumor eradication and long-term T cell memory in a HER2⁺ BC mouse model. Our findings demonstrate an epigenetic regulatory mechanism suppressing the expression of the IFI16-CXCL10/11 signaling pathway that provides a survival advantage to HER2⁺ BC to confer resistance to trastuzumab treatment.

KIR-HLA Functional Repertoire Influences Trastuzumab Efficiency in Patients With HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Trastuzumab induced a high rate of pathological Complete Response (pCR) in patients affected by locally advanced HER2-positive Breast Cancer (HER2-BC), by exploiting immune-mediated mechanisms as Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity (ADCC) involving Natural Killer (NK) cells. Host's immune genetics could influence the response to therapy, through the expression of variants that characterize NK receptors involved in ADCC effectiveness. Killer cell immunoglobin-like receptors (KIRs) modulate NK cell activity through their binding to class-I Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA). The impact of the KIR/HLA repertoire in HER2-BC is under study. We characterized KIR genotypes of 36 patients with locally advanced HER2-BC treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy including trastuzumab. We monitored pCR achievement before surgery and Disease-Free Survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS) after adjuvant therapy. HLA, and Fc gamma receptor IIIa (FcγR3A) and IIa (FcγR2A) were genotyped through targeted PCR and Sanger sequencing in 35/36 patients. The KIR-HLA combinations were then described as functional haplotypes and divided in two main categories as inhibitory tel A and stimulatory tel B. Trastuzumab-dependent ADCC activity was monitored with an in vitro assay using a HER2-BC model and patients' NK cells.We observed a higher frequency of KIR activators in patients who achieved a pCR compared to partial responders. During the study of functional haplotypes, individuals carrying a tel B haplotype showed greater ADCC efficiency than tel A cases. In subjects with the tel A haplotype the presence of the favorite V allele in FcγR3A receptor improved their low ADCC levels. Regardless of the haplotypes detected, the presence of KIR3DL2/HLA-A03 or A11 was always associated with the FcγR3A V allele, and therefore correlated with greater ADCC efficiency. However, this particular KIR receptor appeared to harm DFS and OS. Indeed, patients with tel B haplotype without KIR3DL2/HLA-A03 or A11 showed a better outcome. Our data, although preliminary, suggested a potential predictive role for KIR haplotype tel B, in identifying patients who achieve a pCR after neoadjuvant treatment with trastuzumab, and supported a negative prognostic impact of KIR3DL2/HLA-A03 or A11 in the adjuvant setting.

Role of Fcγ receptors in HER2-targeted breast cancer therapy

Several therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), including those targeting epidermal growth factor receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and CD20, mediate fragment crystallizable gamma receptor (FcγR)–dependent activities as part of their mechanism of action. These activities include induction of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), which are innate immune mechanisms of cancer cell elimination. FcγRs are distinguished by their affinity for the Fc fragment, cell distribution, and type of immune response they induce. Activating FcγRIIIa (CD16A) on natural killer cells plays a crucial role in mediating ADCC, and activating FcγRIIa (CD32A) and FcγRIIIa on macrophages are important for mediating ADCP. Polymorphisms in FcγRIIIa and FcγRIIa generate variants that bind to the Fc portion of antibodies with different affinities. This results in differential FcγR-mediated activities associated with differential therapeutic outcomes across multiple clinical settings, from early stage to metastatic disease, in patients with HER2+ breast cancer treated with the anti-HER2 mAb trastuzumab. Trastuzumab has, nonetheless, revolutionized HER2+ breast cancer treatment, and several HER2-directed mAbs have been developed using Fc glyco-engineering or Fc protein-engineering to enhance FcγR-mediated functions. An example of an approved anti-HER2 Fc-engineered chimeric mAb is margetuximab, which targets the same epitope as trastuzumab, but features five amino acid substitutions in the IgG 1 Fc domain that were deliberately introduced to increase binding to activating FcγRIIIa and decrease binding to inhibitory FcγRIIb (CD32B). Margetuximab enhances Fc-dependent ADCC in vitro more potently than the combination of pertuzumab (another approved mAb directed against an alternate HER2 epitope) and trastuzumab. Margetuximab administration also enhances HER2-specific B cell and T cell–mediated responses ex vivo in samples from patients treated with prior lines of HER2 antibody-based therapies. Stemming from these observations, a worthwhile future goal in the treatment of HER2+ breast cancer is to promote combinatorial approaches that better eradicate HER2+ cancer cells via enhanced immunological mechanisms.

FTY720 in resistant human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer

The prognosis of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer has considerably improved. However, no reliable treatment besides anti-HER2 strategies has been available. FTY720, a small-molecule compound used for treating refractory multiple sclerosis, has been reported to have beneficial effects against cancers. We therefore evaluated the efficacy of FTY720 in trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer cells and investigated the possible mechanism involved. This study evaluated morphological changes after FTY720 treatment. Antiproliferative WST-1 assays and LDH Cytotoxicity Assay Kits were used to determine the treatment effects of drugs, whereas Western blot analysis was used to evaluate protein expression. Apoptotic events were investigated through annexin V staining and TUNEL assays using flow cytometry. FTY720 was effective in trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer cell lines despite the presence of PIK3CA mutation. Studied on a xenograft mouse model, FTY720-treated groups had statistically significantly poorer HCC1954 xenograft growth in vivo compared with the control group. Our findings suggest that FTY720 can overcome resistance to trastuzumab therapy in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, with FTY720 plus trastuzumab might offer even better efficacy in vitro and in vivo.

Immunotherapy in Breast Cancer: When, How, and What Challenges?

Breast Cancer (BC) is the second most frequent cause of cancer death among women worldwide and, although there have been significant advances in BC therapies, a significant percentage of patients develop metastasis and disease recurrence. Since BC was demonstrated to be an immunogenic tumor, immunotherapy has broken through as a significant therapy strategy against BC. Over the years, immunotherapy has improved the survival rate of HER2+ BC patients due to the approval of some monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) such as Trastuzumab, Pertuzumab and, recently, Margetuximab, along with the antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) Trastuzumab-Emtansine (T-DM1) and Trastuzumab Deruxtecan. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) showed promising efficacy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment, namely Atezolizumab and Pembrolizumab. Despite the success of immunotherapy, some patients do not respond to immunotherapy or those who respond to the treatment relapse or progress. The main causes of these adverse events are the complex, intrinsic or extrinsic resistance mechanisms. In this review, we address the different immunotherapy approaches approved for BC and some of the mechanisms responsible for resistance to immunotherapy.

Leveraging NKG2D Ligands in Immuno-Oncology

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) revolutionized the field of immuno-oncology and opened new avenues towards the development of novel assets to achieve durable immune control of cancer. Yet, the presence of tumor immune evasion mechanisms represents a challenge for the development of efficient treatment options. Therefore, combination therapies are taking the center of the stage in immuno-oncology. Such combination therapies should boost anti-tumor immune responses and/or target tumor immune escape mechanisms, especially those created by major players in the tumor microenvironment (TME) such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAM). Natural killer (NK) cells were recently positioned at the forefront of many immunotherapy strategies, and several new approaches are being designed to fully exploit NK cell antitumor potential. One of the most relevant NK cell-activating receptors is NKG2D, a receptor that recognizes 8 different NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL), including MICA and MICB. MICA and MICB are poorly expressed on normal cells but become upregulated on the surface of damaged, transformed or infected cells as a result of post-transcriptional or post-translational mechanisms and intracellular pathways. Their engagement of NKG2D triggers NK cell effector functions. Also, MICA/B are polymorphic and such polymorphism affects functional responses through regulation of their cell-surface expression, intracellular trafficking, shedding of soluble immunosuppressive isoforms, or the affinity of NKG2D interaction. Although immunotherapeutic approaches that target the NKG2D-NKG2DL axis are under investigation, several tumor immune escape mechanisms account for reduced cell surface expression of NKG2DL and contribute to tumor immune escape. Also, NKG2DL polymorphism determines functional NKG2D-dependent responses, thus representing an additional challenge for leveraging NKG2DL in immuno-oncology. In this review, we discuss strategies to boost MICA/B expression and/or inhibit their shedding and propose that combination strategies that target MICA/B with antibodies and strategies aimed at promoting their upregulation on tumor cells or at reprograming TAM into pro-inflammatory macrophages and remodeling of the TME, emerge as frontrunners in immuno-oncology because they may unleash the antitumor effector functions of NK cells and cytotoxic CD8 T cells (CTL). Pursuing several of these pipelines might lead to innovative modalities of immunotherapy for the treatment of a wide range of cancer patients.

Crosstalk between Tumor-Infiltrating Immune Cells and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth and Immunosuppression of Breast Cancer

Signals from the tumor microenvironment (TME) have a profound influence on the maintenance and progression of cancers. Chronic inflammation and the infiltration of immune cells in breast cancer (BC) have been strongly associated with early carcinogenic events and a switch to a more immunosuppressive response. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant stromal component and can modulate tumor progression according to their secretomes. The immune cells including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) (cytotoxic T cells (CTLs), regulatory T cells (Tregs), and helper T cell (Th)), monocyte-infiltrating cells (MICs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), mast cells (MCs), and natural killer cells (NKs) play an important part in the immunological balance, fluctuating TME between protumoral and antitumoral responses. In this review article, we have summarized the impact of these immunological players together with CAF secreted substances in driving BC progression. We explain the crosstalk of CAFs and tumor-infiltrating immune cells suppressing antitumor response in BC, proposing these cellular entities as predictive markers of poor prognosis. CAF-tumor-infiltrating immune cell interaction is suggested as an alternative therapeutic strategy to regulate the immunosuppressive microenvironment in BC.

Factor VIII-Fc Activates Natural Killer Cells via Fc-Mediated Interactions With CD16

The most challenging complication associated with Factor VIII (FVIII) replacement therapy is the development of neutralizing anti-drug antibodies, or inhibitors, which occur in 23-35% of severe (FVIII level <1%) hemophilia A (HA) patients and are a serious hindrance to effective management of HA. Consequently, strategies that can either prevent anti-FVIII inhibitors from developing or "tolerize" individuals who develop such antibodies represent a clinically important unmet need. One intervention for patients with high-titer inhibitors is immune tolerance induction (ITI) therapy. Although ITI therapy is the only clinically proven strategy to eradicate anti-FVIII inhibitors, mechanisms of inhibitor reduction remain unknown. Factor VIII Fc-fusion (rFVIIIFc) is an enhanced half-life antihemophilic factor used in replacement therapy for HA. Fc-fusion is a successful protein bio-engineering platform technology. In addition to enhancement of plasma half-life via neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) binding, other Fc-mediated interactions, including engagement with Fc gamma receptors (FcγR), may have immunological consequences. Several case reports and retrospective analyses suggest that rFVIIIFc offers superior outcomes with respect to ITI compared to other FVIII products. Previously we and others demonstrated rFVIIIFc interactions with activating FcγRIIIA/CD16. Here, we investigated if rFVIIIFc activates natural killer (NK) cells via CD16. We demonstrated rFVIIIFc signaling via CD16 independent of Von Willebrand Factor (VWF):FVIII complex formation. We established that rFVIIIFc potently activated NK cells in a CD16-dependent fashion resulting in IFNγ secretion and cytolytic perforin and granzyme B release. We also demonstrated an association between rFVIIIFc-mediated NK cell IFNγ secretion levels and the high-affinity (158V) CD16 genotype. Furthermore, we show that rFVIIIFc-activated CD16⁺ NK cells were able to lyse a B-cell clone (BO2C11) bearing an anti-FVIII B-cell receptor in an antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay. These in vitro findings provide an underlying molecular mechanism that may help explain clinical case reports and retrospective studies suggesting rFVIIIFc may be more effective in tolerizing HA patients with anti-FVIII inhibitors compared to FVIII not linked to Fc. Our in vitro findings suggest a potential use of Fc-fusion proteins acting via NK cells to target antigen-specific B-cells, in the management of unwanted immune responses directed against immunogenic self-antigens or therapeutic protein products.

A systematic review of HER2 blockade for the curative treatment of gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma: Successes achieved and opportunities ahead

INTRODUCTION

Despite multimodality treatment for curatively-treated gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA), prognosis remains dismal. The benefit of adding trastuzumab to chemotherapy for advanced Human Epidermal Growth Factor 2 (HER2) positive GEA has been established in the ToGA trial. However, it remains unclear if HER2 inhibition might also be beneficial in the curative setting. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to investigate the role of HER2 inhibitors for the curative treatment of GEA.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and clinicaltrials.gov to identify clinical trials investigating HER2 inhibition for the curative treatment of GEA. Study quality was assessed using the GRADE methodology.

RESULTS

From the 1825 studies retrieved, 17 were included (seven published articles; three published conference abstracts; seven ongoing studies). From the published studies, eight studies investigated single-agent HER2 inhibition. Four studies had a nonrandomized design, and two were randomized controlled trials. Two published studies were assessed as high-quality. The addition of single-agent HER2 inhibition to chemo(radio)therapy showed a pathological complete response rate (pCR) of 22.2% (range, 9.6-25%) and dual HER2 inhibition of 34.5% (34-35%). Two-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 51.0% (40-71%) with single-agent and 70.0% (70-70%) with dual HER2 therapy.

DISCUSSION

Dual-agent HER2 inhibition showed promising pCR rates and DFS. Given the limited additional toxicity of the addition of HER2 targeting agents and the potential benefit of dual-targeting, further investigation is required in a phase III randomized clinical trial. Next steps include combining checkpoint inhibitors and HER2 blockade given the suggested synergism, as well as investigating new anti-HER2 agents.

Harnessing CD16-Mediated NK Cell Functions to Enhance Therapeutic Efficacy of Tumor-Targeting mAbs

Simple Summary

Natural Killer (NK) cells play a major role in cancer immunotherapy based on tumor-targeting mAbs. NK cell-mediated tumor cell killing and cytokine secretion are powerfully stimulated upon interaction with IgG-opsonized tumor cells, through the aggregation of FcγRIIIA/CD16 IgG receptor. Advances in basic and translational NK cell biology have led to the development of strategies that, by improving mAb-dependent antitumor responses, may overcome the current limitations of antibody therapy attributable to tolerance, immunosuppressive microenvironment, and genotypic factors. This review provides an overview of the immunotherapeutic strategies being pursued to improve the efficacy of mAb-induced NK antitumor activity. The exploitation of antibody combinations, antibody-based molecules, used alone or combined with adoptive NK cell therapy, will be uncovered. Within the landscape of NK cell heterogeneity, we stress the role of memory NK cells as promising effectors in the next generation of immunotherapy with the aim to obtain long-lasting tumor control.

Abstract

Natural killer (NK) cells hold a pivotal role in tumor-targeting monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based activity due to the expression of CD16, the low-affinity receptor for IgG. Indeed, beyond exerting cytotoxic function, activated NK cells also produce an array of cytokines and chemokines, through which they interface with and potentiate adaptive immune responses. Thus, CD16-activated NK cells can concur to mAb-dependent “vaccinal effect”, i.e., the development of antigen-specific responses, which may be highly relevant in maintaining long-term protection of treated patients. On this basis, the review will focus on strategies aimed at potentiating NK cell-mediated antitumor functions in tumor-targeting mAb-based regimens, represented by (a) mAb manipulation strategies, aimed at augmenting recruitment and efficacy of NK cells, such as Fc-engineering, and the design of bi- or trispecific NK cell engagers and (b) the possible exploitation of memory NK cells, whose distinctive characteristics (enhanced responsiveness to CD16 engagement, longevity, and intrinsic resistance to the immunosuppressive microenvironment) may maximize therapeutic mAb antitumor efficacy.

The Immunology of Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has revolutionized the treatment of cancer patients. The main focus of ICB has been on reinvigorating the adaptive immune response, namely, activating cytotoxic T cells. ICB has demonstrated only modest benefit against advanced breast cancer, as breast tumors typically establish an immune suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with infiltration of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and patients with TNBC have shown clinical responses to ICB. In contrast, hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer is characterized by low TIL infiltration and minimal response to ICB. Here we review how HR+ breast tumors establish a TME devoid of TILs, have low HLA class I expression, and recruit immune cells, other than T cells, which impact response to therapy. In addition, we review emerging technologies that have been employed to characterize components of the TME to reveal that tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are abundant in HR+ cancer, are highly immune-suppressive, associated with tumor progression, chemotherapy and ICB-resistance, metastasis and poor survival. We reveal novel therapeutic targets and possible combinations with ICB to enhance anti-tumor immune responses, which may have great potential in HR+ breast cancer.

Efficacy of Margetuximab vs Trastuzumab in Patients With Pretreated ERBB2-Positive Advanced Breast Cancer: A Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial

Question

Does margetuximab plus chemotherapy prolong progression-free survival and/or overall survival of patients with pretreated ERBB2-positive advanced breast cancer, relative to trastuzumab plus chemotherapy?

Findings

In the SOPHIA phase 3 randomized clinical trial of 536 patients with pretreated ERBB2-positive advanced breast cancer, margetuximab plus chemotherapy generated a statistically significant 24% relative risk reduction in the hazard of progression vs trastuzumab plus chemotherapy. After the second planned interim analysis of 270 deaths, median OS was 21.6 months with margetuximab vs 19.8 months with trastuzumab, and final analysis of OS will be reported subsequently.

Meaning

This trial demonstrates a head-to-head advantage of margetuximab (an Fc-engineered ERBB2-targeted antibody) compared with trastuzumab in a pretreated ERBB2-positive advanced breast cancer population.

Importance

ERRB2 (formerly HER2)–positive advanced breast cancer (ABC) remains typically incurable with optimal treatment undefined in later lines of therapy. The chimeric antibody margetuximab shares ERBB2 specificity with trastuzumab but incorporates an engineered Fc region to increase immune activation.

Objective

To compare the clinical efficacy of margetuximab vs trastuzumab, each with chemotherapy, in patients with pretreated ERBB2-positive ABC.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The SOPHIA phase 3 randomized open-label trial of margetuximab plus chemotherapy vs trastuzumab plus chemotherapy enrolled 536 patients from August 26, 2015, to October 10, 2018, at 166 sites in 17 countries. Eligible patients had disease progression on 2 or more prior anti-ERBB2 therapies and 1 to 3 lines of therapy for metastatic disease. Data were analyzed from February 2019 to October 2019.

Interventions

Investigators selected chemotherapy before 1:1 randomization to margetuximab, 15 mg/kg, or trastuzumab, 6 mg/kg (loading dose, 8 mg/kg), each in 3-week cycles. Stratification factors were metastatic sites (≤2, >2), lines of therapy (≤2, >2), and chemotherapy choice.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Sequential primary end points were progression-free survival (PFS) by central blinded analysis and overall survival (OS). All α was allocated to PFS, followed by OS. Secondary end points were investigator-assessed PFS and objective response rate by central blinded analysis.

Results

A total of 536 patients were randomized to receive margetuximab (n = 266) or trastuzumab (n = 270). The median age was 56 (27-86) years; 266 (100%) women were in the margetuximab group, while 267 (98.9%) women were in the trastuzumab group. Groups were balanced. All but 1 patient had received prior pertuzumab, and 489 (91.2%) had received prior ado-trastuzumab emtansine. Margetuximab improved primary PFS over trastuzumab with 24% relative risk reduction (hazard ratio [HR], 0.76; 95% CI, 0.59-0.98; P = .03; median, 5.8 [95% CI, 5.5-7.0] months vs 4.9 [95% CI, 4.2-5.6] months; October 10, 2018). After the second planned interim analysis of 270 deaths, median OS was 21.6 months with margetuximab vs 19.8 months with trastuzumab (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.69-1.13; P = .33; September 10, 2019), and investigator-assessed PFS showed 29% relative risk reduction favoring margetuximab (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.58-0.86; P < .001; median, 5.7 vs 4.4 months; September 10, 2019). Margetuximab improved objective response rate over trastuzumab: 22% vs 16% (P = .06; October 10, 2018), and 25% vs 14% (P < .001; September 10, 2019). Incidence of infusion-related reactions, mostly in cycle 1, was higher with margetuximab (35 [13.3%] vs 9 [3.4%]); otherwise, safety was comparable.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this phase 3 randomized clinical trial, margetuximab plus chemotherapy had acceptable safety and a statistically significant improvement in PFS compared with trastuzumab plus chemotherapy in ERBB2-positive ABC after progression on 2 or more prior anti-ERBB2 therapies. Final OS analysis is expected in 2021.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02492711

Clinical Potential of Kinase Inhibitors in Combination with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for the Treatment of Solid Tumors

Oncogenic kinases contribute to immunosuppression and modulate the tumor microenvironment in solid tumors. Increasing evidence supports the fundamental role of oncogenic kinase signaling networks in coordinating immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments. This has led to numerous studies examining the efficacy of kinase inhibitors in inducing anti-tumor immune responses by increasing tumor immunogenicity. Kinase inhibitors are the second most common FDA-approved group of drugs that are deployed for cancer treatment. With few exceptions, they inevitably lead to intrinsic and/or acquired resistance, particularly in patients with metastatic disease when used as a monotherapy. On the other hand, cancer immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, have revolutionized cancer treatment for malignancies such as melanoma and lung cancer. However, key hurdles remain to successfully incorporate such therapies in the treatment of other solid cancers. Here, we review the recent literature on oncogenic kinases that regulate tumor immunogenicity, immune suppression, and anti-tumor immunity. Furthermore, we discuss current efforts in clinical trials that combine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat breast cancer and other solid tumors.

Immune Infiltrates in Breast Cancer: Recent Updates and Clinical Implications

In recent decades, the increasing interest in the field of immunotherapy has fostered an intense investigation of the breast cancer (BC) immune microenvironment. In this context, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have emerged as a clinically relevant and highly reproducible biomarker capable of affecting BC prognosis and response to treatment. Indeed, the evaluation of TILs on primary tumors proved to be strongly prognostic in triple-negative (TN) BC patients treated with either adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy, as well as in early TNBC patients not receiving any systemic treatment, thus gaining level-1b evidence in this setting. In addition, a strong relationship between TILs and pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been reported in all BC subtypes and the prognostic role of higher TILs in early HER2-positive breast cancer patients has also been demonstrated. The interest in BC immune infiltrates has been further fueled by the introduction of the first immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment armamentarium of advanced TNBC in patients with PD-L1-positive status by FDA-approved assays. However, despite these advances, a biomarker capable of reliably and exhaustively predicting immunotherapy benefit in BC is still lacking, highlighting the imperative need to further deepen this issue. Finally, more comprehensive evaluation of immune infiltrates integrating both the quantity and quality of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and incorporation of TILs in composite scores encompassing other clinically or biologically relevant biomarkers, as well as the adoption of software-based and/or machine learning platforms for a more comprehensive characterization of BC immune infiltrates, are emerging as promising strategies potentially capable of optimizing patient selection and stratification in the research field. In the present review, we summarize available evidence and recent updates on immune infiltrates in BC, focusing on current clinical applications, potential clinical implications and major unresolved issues.

Dormant Tumor Cell Vaccination: A Mathematical Model of Immunological Dormancy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Simple Summary

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, particularly affecting young women. Chemotherapy is the main choice for the treatment of these patients. It has been shown that some chemotherapies induce immunogenic cell death and elicit an adaptive cytotoxic T cell immune response through the activation of the type I interferon pathway. We made an evolutionary mathematical model based on the recently reported in vivo induction of immunological tumor dormancy of a murine TNBC cell line upon in vitro treatment with chemotherapy. Our model replicates the previously obtained experimental results and predicts a prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination effect by injecting dormant cells with active type I interferon signaling, before or after challenge with the aggressive parental tumor cells, respectively. These results show the potential of a dormant tumor cell-based therapy inducing an adaptive immune response, suppressing tumor growth.

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a molecular subtype of breast malignancy with a poor clinical prognosis. There is growing evidence that some chemotherapeutic agents induce an adaptive anti-tumor immune response. This reaction has been proposed to maintain the equilibrium phase of the immunoediting process and to control tumor growth by immunological cancer dormancy. We recently reported a model of immunological breast cancer dormancy based on the murine 4T1 TNBC model. Treatment of 4T1 cells in vitro with high-dose chemotherapy activated the type I interferon (type I IFN) signaling pathway, causing a switch from immunosuppressive to cytotoxic T lymphocyte-dependent immune response in vivo, resulting in sustained dormancy. Here, we developed a deterministic mathematical model based on the assumption that two cell subpopulations exist within the treated tumor: one population with high type I IFN signaling and immunogenicity and lower growth rate; the other population with low type I IFN signaling and immunogenicity and higher growth rate. The model reproduced cancer dormancy, elimination, and immune-escape in agreement with our previously reported experimental data. It predicted that the injection of dormant tumor cells with active type I IFN signaling results in complete growth control of the aggressive parental cancer cells injected at a later time point, but also of an already established aggressive tumor. Taken together, our results indicate that a dormant cell population can suppress the growth of an aggressive counterpart by eliciting a cytotoxic T lymphocyte-dependent immune response.

Overview of New Treatments with Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer and a Proposal of a Combination Therapy

According to data from the U.S. National Cancer Institute, cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide with approximately 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths in 2018. More than 60% of the new annual cases in the world occur in Africa, Asia, Central America, and South America, with 70% of cancer deaths in these regions. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with 266,120 new cases in American women and an estimated 40,920 deaths for 2018. Approximately one in six women diagnosed with breast cancer will die in the coming years. Recently, novel therapeutic strategies have been implemented in the fight against breast cancer, including molecules able to block signaling pathways, an inhibitor of poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase (PARP), growth receptor blocker antibodies, or those that reactivate the immune system by inhibiting the activities of inhibitory receptors like cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death protein 1 (PD-1). However, novel targets include reactivating the Th1 immune response, changing tumor microenvironment, and co-activation of other components of the immune response such as natural killer cells and CD8+ T cells among others. In this article, we review advances in the treatment of breast cancer focused essentially on immunomodulatory drugs in targeted cancer therapy. Based on this knowledge, we formulate a proposal for the implementation of combined therapy using an extracorporeal immune response reactivation model and cytokines plus modulating antibodies for co-activation of the Th1- and natural killer cell (NK)-dependent immune response, either in situ or through autologous cell therapy. The implementation of "combination immunotherapy" is new hope in breast cancer treatment. Therefore, we consider the coordinated activation of each cell of the immune response that would probably produce better outcomes. Although more research is required, the results recently achieved by combination therapy suggest that for most, if not all, cancer patients, this tailored therapy may become a realistic approach in the near future.

CD4 T-cell immune stimulation of HER2 + breast cancer cells alters response to trastuzumab in vitro

Introduction

The HER2 + tumor immune microenvironment is composed of macrophages, natural killer cells, and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, which produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. Determining the effect of T-cells on HER2 + cancer cells during therapy could guide immunogenic therapies that trigger antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. This study utilized longitudinal in vitro time-resolved microscopy to measure T-cell influence on trastuzumab in HER2 + breast cancer.

Methods

Fluorescently-labeled breast cancer cells (BT474, SKBR3, MDA-MB-453, and MDA-MB-231) were co-cultured with CD4 + T-cells (Jurkat cell line) and longitudinally imaged to quantify cancer cell viability when treated with or without trastuzumab (10, 25, 50 and 100 μg/mL). The presence and timing of T-cell co-culturing was manipulated to determine immune stimulation of trastuzumab-treated HER2 + breast cancer. HER2 and TNF-α expression were evaluated with western blot and ELISA, respectively. Significance was calculated using a two-tailed parametric t-test.

Results

The viability of HER2 + cancer cells significantly decreased when exposed to 25 μg/mL trastuzumab and T-cells, compared to cancer cells exposed to trastuzumab without T-cells (p = 0.01). The presence of T-cells significantly increased TNF-α expression in trastuzumab-treated cancer cells (p = 0.02). Conversely, cancer cells treated with TNF-α and trastuzumab had a similar decrease in viability as trastuzumab-treated cancer cells co-cultured with T-cells (p = 0.32).

Conclusions

The presence of T-cells significantly increases the efficacy of targeted therapies and suggests trastuzumab may trigger immune mediated cytotoxicity. Increased TNF-α receptor expression suggest cytokines may interact with trastuzumab to create a state of enhanced response to therapy in HER2 + breast cancer, which has potential to reducing tumor burden.

Toward a Better Understanding of Bioassays for the Development of Biopharmaceuticals by Exploring the Structure-Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity Relationship in Human Primary Cells

Pharmaceutical manufacturing relies on rigorous methods of quality control of drugs and in particular of the physico-chemical and functional characterizations of monoclonal antibodies. To that end, robust bioassays are very often limited to reporter gene assays and the use of immortalized cell lines that are supposed to mimic immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells to the detriment of primary materials, which are appreciated for their biological validity but are also difficult to exploit due to the great diversity between individuals. Here, we characterized the phenotype of the peripheral blood circulating cytotoxic cells of 30 healthy donors, in particular the repertoire of cytotoxic markers, using flow cytometry. In parallel, we characterized the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) effector functions of these primary cells by measuring their cytolytic activity against a cancer cell-line expressing HER2 in the presence of trastuzumab and with regards to FCGR3A genotype. We could not establish a correlation or grouping of individuals using the data generated from whole peripheral blood mononuclear cells, however the isolation of the CD56-positive population, which is composed not only of NK cells but also of natural killer T (NKT) and γδ-T cells, as well as subsets of activated cytotoxic T cells, monocytes and dendritic cells, made it possible to standardize the parameters of the ADCC and enhance the overall functional avidity without however eliminating the inter-individual diversity. Finally, the use of primary CD56+ cells in ADCC experiments comparing glycoengineered variants of trastuzumab was conclusive to test the limits of this type of ex vivo system. Although the effector functions of CD56+ cells reflected to some extent the in vitro receptor binding properties and cytolytic activity data using NK92 cells, as previously published, reaching a functional avidity plateau could limit their use in a quality control framework.

Lymph-directed immunotherapy - Harnessing endogenous lymphatic distribution pathways for enhanced therapeutic outcomes in cancer

The advent of immunotherapy has revolutionised the treatment of some cancers. Harnessing the immune system to improve tumour cell killing is now standard clinical practice and immunotherapy is the first line of defence for many cancers that historically, were difficult to treat. A unifying concept in cancer immunotherapy is the activation of the immune system to mount an attack on malignant cells, allowing the body to recognise, and in some cases, eliminate cancer. However, in spite of a significant proportion of patients that respond well to treatment, there remains a subset who are non-responders and a number of cancers that cannot be treated with these therapies. These limitations highlight the need for targeted delivery of immunomodulators to both tumours and the effector cells of the immune system, the latter being highly concentrated in the lymphatic system. In this context, macromolecular therapies may provide a significant advantage. Macromolecules are too large to easily access blood capillaries and instead typically exhibit preferential uptake via the lymphatic system. In contexts where immune cells are the therapeutic target, particularly in cancer therapy, this may be advantageous. In this review, we examine in brief the current immunotherapy approaches in cancer and how macromolecular and nanomedicine strategies may improve the therapeutic profiles of these drugs. We subsequently discuss how therapeutics directed either by parenteral or mucosal administration, can be taken up by the lymphatics thereby accessing a larger proportion of the body's immune cells. Finally, we detail drug delivery strategies that have been successfully employed to target the lymphatics.

Towards Breast Cancer Vaccines, Progress and Challenges

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women. National cancer institute of the US estimates that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Considering the devastating effects of the disease and the alarming numbers many scientists and research groups have devoted their research to fight breast cancer. Several recommendations are to be considered as preventing measures which include living a healthy lifestyle, regular physical activity, weight control and smoking cessation. Early detection of the disease by annual and regular mammography after the age of 40 is recommended by many healthcare institutions. This would help the diagnosis of the disease at an earlier stage and the start of the treatment before it is spread to other parts of the body. Current therapy for breast cancer includes surgical ablation, radiotherapy and chemotherapy which is often associated with adverse effects and even may lead to a relapse of the disease at a later stage. In order to achieve a long-lasting anticancer response with minimal adverse effects, development of breast cancer vaccines is under investigation by many laboratories. The immune system can be stimulated by a vaccine against breast cancer. This approach has attracted a great enthusiasm in recent years. No breast cancer vaccines have been approved for clinical use today. One breast cancer vaccine (NeuVax) has now completed clinical trial phase III and a few preventive and therapeutic breast cancer vaccines are at different steps of development. We think that with the recent advancements in immunotherapy, a breast cancer vaccine is not far from reach.

Role of innate and adaptive immunity in the efficacy of anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies for HER2-positive breast cancer

Anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) such as trastuzumab are effective for all stages of HER2-positive breast cancer (BC). However, intrinsic or acquired resistance to these drugs may occur in a significant number of patients (pts) and, except for HER2 status, no validated predictive factors of response/resistance have been identified to date. This lack is in part due to the not yet fully elucidated mechanism of action of mAbs in vivo. Increasing evidence suggests a significant contribution of both innate and adaptive immunity to the antitumor effects of mAbs. The aim of this review was to describe the role of innate and adaptive immunity in the efficacy of anti-HER2 mAbs and to report known and novel strategies to be used for optimizing immune effects of anti-HER2 therapies for HER2-positive BC.

Unleashing Natural Killer Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment-The Next Generation of Immunotherapy?

The emergence of immunotherapy for cancer treatment bears considerable clinical promise. Nevertheless, many patients remain unresponsive, acquire resistance, or suffer dose-limiting toxicities. Immune-editing of tumors assists their escape from the immune system, and the tumor microenvironment (TME) induces immune suppression through multiple mechanisms. Immunotherapy aims to bolster the activity of immune cells against cancer by targeting these suppressive immunomodulatory processes. Natural Killer (NK) cells are a heterogeneous subset of immune cells, which express a diverse array of activating and inhibitory germline-encoded receptors, and are thus capable of directly targeting and killing cancer cells without the need for MHC specificity. Furthermore, they play a critical role in triggering the adaptive immune response. Enhancing the function of NK cells in the context of cancer is therefore a promising avenue for immunotherapy. Different NK-based therapies have been evaluated in clinical trials, and some have demonstrated clinical benefits, especially in the context of hematological malignancies. Solid tumors remain much more difficult to treat, and the time point and means of intervention of current NK-based treatments still require optimization to achieve long term effects. Here, we review recently described mechanisms of cancer evasion from NK cell immune surveillance, and the therapeutic approaches that aim to potentiate NK function. Specific focus is placed on the use of specialized monoclonal antibodies against moieties on the cancer cell, or on both the tumor and the NK cell. In addition, we highlight newly identified mechanisms that inhibit NK cell activity in the TME, and describe how biochemical modifications of the TME can synergize with current treatments and increase susceptibility to NK cell activity.

Effect of Estrogen Receptor Status on Circulatory Immune and Metabolomics Profiles of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Patients Enrolled for Neoadjuvant Targeted Chemotherapy

HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) represents a heterogeneous cancer disease. In an attempt to identify new stratification models useful for prognosis and therapeutic strategy, we investigated the influence of estrogen receptor (ER) status on the host immune and metabolomics profile of HER2-positive BC patients enrolled for neoadjuvant targeted chemotherapy (NATC). The study enrolled 43 HER2-positive BC patients eligible for NATC based on the trastuzumab-paclitaxel combination. Baseline circulatory cytokines and ¹H NMR plasma metabolomics profiles were investigated. Differences in the immune cytokines and metabolomics profile as a function of the ER status, and their association with clinical outcomes were studied by multivariate and univariate analysis. Baseline metabolomics profiles were found to discriminate HER2-positive ER(+) from ER(−) BC patients. Within the ER(+) group an immune-metabolomics model, based on TNF-α and valine, predicted pathological complete response to NATC with 90.9% accuracy (AUROC = 0.92, p = 0.004). Moreover, metabolomics information integrated with IL-2 and IL-10 cytokine levels were prognostic of relapse with an accuracy of 95.5%. The results indicate that in HER2-positive BC patients the ER status influences the host circulatory immune-metabolomics profile. The baseline immune-metabolomics assessment in combination with ER status could represent an independent stratification tool able to predict NATC response and disease relapse of HER2-positive patients.

CD16 pre-ligation by defucosylated tumor-targeting mAb sensitizes human NK cells to γc cytokine stimulation via PI3K/mTOR axis

Obinutuzumab is a glycoengineered tumor-targeting anti-CD20 mAb with a modified crystallizable fragment (Fc) domain designed to increase the affinity for the FcγRIIIA/CD16 receptor, which was recently approved for clinical use in CLL and follicular lymphoma. Here we extend our previous observation that, in human NK cells, the sustained CD16 ligation by obinutuzumab-opsonized targets leads to a markedly enhanced IFN-γ production upon a subsequent cytokine re-stimulation. The increased IFN-γ competence in response to IL-2 or IL-15 is attributable to post-transcriptional regulation, as it does not correlate with the upregulation of IFN-γ mRNA levels. Different from the reference molecule rituximab, we observe that the stimulation with obinutuzumab promotes the upregulation of microRNA (miR)-155 expression. A similar trend was also observed in NK cells from untreated CLL patients stimulated with obinutuzumab-opsonized autologous leukemia. miR-155 upregulation associates with reduced levels of SHIP-1 inositol phosphatase, which acts in constraining PI3K-dependent signals, by virtue of its ability to mediate phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) de-phosphorylation. Downstream of PI3K, the phosphorylation status of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) effector molecule, S6, results in amplified response to IL-2 or IL-15 stimulation in obinutuzumab-experienced cells. Importantly, NK cell treatment with the PI3K or mTOR inhibitors, idelalisib and rapamycin, respectively, prevents the enhanced cytokine responsiveness, thus, highlighting the relevance of the PI3K/mTOR axis in CD16-dependent priming. The enhanced IFN-γ competence may be envisaged to potentiate the immunoregulatory role of NK cells in a therapeutic setting.

10D1F, an Anti-HER3 Antibody that Uniquely Blocks the Receptor Heterodimerization Interface, Potently Inhibits Tumor Growth Across a Broad Panel of Tumor Models

In recent years, HER3 has increasingly been implicated in the progression of a variety of tumor types and in acquired resistance to EGFR and HER2 therapies. Whereas EGFR and HER2 primarily signal through the MAPK pathway, HER3, as a heterodimer with EGFR or HER2, potently activates the PI3K pathway. Despite its critical role, previous attempts to target HER3 with neutralizing antibodies have shown disappointing efficacy in the clinic, most likely due to suboptimal and indirect mechanisms of action that fail to completely block heterodimerization; for example, tumors can escape inhibition of ligand binding by upregulating ligand-independent mechanisms of HER3 activation. We therefore developed 10D1F, a picomolar affinity, highly specific anti-HER3 neutralizing antibody that binds the HER3 heterodimerization interface, a region that was hitherto challenging to raise antibodies against. We demonstrate that 10D1F potently inhibits both EGFR:HER3 and HER2:HER3 heterodimerization to durably suppress activation of the PI3K pathway in a broad panel of tumor models. Even as a monotherapy, 10D1F shows superior inhibition of tumor growth in the same cell lines both in vitro and in mouse xenograft experiments, when compared with other classes of anti-HER3 antibodies. This includes models demonstrating ligand-independent activation of heterodimerization as well as constitutively activating mutations in the MAPK pathway. Possessing favorable pharmacokinetic and toxicologic profiles, 10D1F uniquely represents a new class of anti-HER3 neutralizing antibodies with a novel mechanism of action that offers significant potential for broad clinical benefit.10D1F is a novel anti-HER3 antibody that uniquely binds the receptor dimerization interface to block ligand-dependent and independent heterodimerization with EGFR/HER2 and thus more potently inhibits tumor growth than existing anti-HER3 antibodies.

CD47 blockade augmentation of trastuzumab antitumor efficacy dependent on antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis

The HER2-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb), trastuzumab, has been the mainstay of therapy for HER2+ breast cancer (BC) for approximately 20 years. However, its therapeutic mechanism of action (MOA) remains unclear, with antitumor responses to trastuzumab remaining heterogeneous and metastatic HER2+ BC remaining incurable. Consequently, understanding its MOA could enable rational strategies to enhance its efficacy. Using both murine and human versions of trastuzumab, we found its antitumor activity dependent on Fcγ receptor stimulation of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), but not cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Trastuzumab also stimulated TAM activation and expansion, but did not require adaptive immunity, natural killer cells, and/or neutrophils. Moreover, inhibition of the innate immune ADCP checkpoint, CD47, significantly enhanced trastuzumab-mediated ADCP and TAM expansion and activation, resulting in the emergence of a unique hyperphagocytic macrophage population, improved antitumor responses, and prolonged survival. In addition, we found that tumor-associated CD47 expression was inversely associated with survival in HER2+ BC patients and that human HER2+ BC xenografts treated with trastuzumab plus CD47 inhibition underwent complete tumor regression. Collectively, our study identifies trastuzumab-mediated ADCP as an important antitumor MOA that may be clinically enabled by CD47 blockade to augment therapeutic efficacy.

Baseline Lymphopenia: A Predictor Of Poor Outcomes In HER2 positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Treated With Trastuzumab

Purpose

Despite selection based on human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression, not all HER2-positive patients benefit from trastuzumab therapy. Recent reports indicate that trastuzumab treatment failure may be associated with immune system dysfunction. We examined the prognostic relevance of the absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who received trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy.

Methods

Baseline ALC and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) data from trastuzumab-treated patients with MBC were studied retrospectively, and associations between baseline ALC and clinical characteristics evaluated. Kaplan–Meier analysis and the Cox regression hazard model were applied to assess effects on outcomes.

Results

Of a total of 68 patients, 19.1% (13/68) had baseline ALCs ≤ 1 G/L. Baseline lymphopenia was correlated with increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and higher NLR. In univariate analysis, higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was associated with inferior overall survival (OS) (P = 0.001); higher LDH was associated with inferior progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.045) and OS (P = 0.010). We did not observe any differences in objective response rate or disease control rate between patients with lymphopenia and those with normal ALC. Importantly, patients with baseline lymphopenia had inferior PFS (0.60 years vs 1.17 years, P = 0.000009) and OS (1.88 years vs 3.80 years, P = 0.0003). In multivariable analysis, significance of ALCs was retained for lymphopenia (PFS: P = 0.0005; OS: P = 0.016).

Conclusion

Our data indicate that baseline ALC value of ≤1 G/L is a predictor of poor outcomes, but not of response, in patients with MBC treated with trastuzumab.