1
|
Yu G, Lyu Y, Jiang L, Wang Y, Yin Y, Zhang J, Yang M, Tang F. ELISA-like QDB method to meet the emerging need of Her2 assessment for breast cancer patients. Front Oncol 2023; 13:920698. [PMID: 36969021 PMCID: PMC10036774 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.920698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherent issues of subjectivity and inconsistency have long plagued immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based Her2 assessment, leading to the repeated issuance of guidelines by the American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) for its standardization for breast cancer patients. Yet, all these efforts may prove insufficient with the advent of Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-Dxd), a drug with the promise to expand to tumors traditionally defined as Her2 negative (Her2−). In this study, we attempted to address these issues by exploring an ELISA-like quantitative dot blot (QDB) method as an alternative to IHC. The QDB method has been used to measure multiple protein biomarkers including ER, PR, Ki67, and cyclin D1 in breast cancer specimens. Using an independent cohort (cohort 2) of breast cancer formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens, we validated cutoffs developed in cohort 1 (Yu et al., Scientific Reports 2020 10:10502) with overall 100% specificity (95% CI: 100–100) and 97.56% sensitivity (95% CI: 92.68–100) in cohort 2 against standard practice with the dichotomized absolutely quantitated values. Using the limit of detection (LOD) of the QDB method as the putative cutoff point, tumors with no Her2 expression were identified with the number comparable to those of IHC 0. Our results support further evaluation of the QDB method as an alternative to IHC to meet the emerging need of identifying tumors with low Her2 expression (Her2-low) in daily clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guohua Yu
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Yan Lyu
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., a Division of Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc. (US), Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Yunjun Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Ying Yin
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Jiandi Zhang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., a Division of Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc. (US), Yantai, Shandong, China
- *Correspondence: Jiandi Zhang,
| | - Maozhou Yang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., a Division of Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc. (US), Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Fangrong Tang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., a Division of Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc. (US), Yantai, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yu G, Lyu J, Li Y, Zhang Y, Lyu Y, Zhang W, Zhang J, Cai B, Zhang J, Tang F. Validation of absolutely quantitated Ki67 and cyclinD1 protein levels for prognosis of Luminal-like breast cancer patients. J Clin Lab Anal 2022; 36:e24601. [PMID: 35819123 PMCID: PMC9396173 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.24601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims To translate a clinical research finding into daily clinical practice requires well‐controlled clinical trials. We have demonstrated the usage of absolute quantitation of Ki67 and cyclinD1 protein levels to improve prognosis of Luminal‐like patients based on overall survival (OS) analysis of a cohort of 155 breast cancer specimens (cohort 1). However, this finding is considered the D level of evidence (LOE) to require subsequent validation before it may be used in daily clinical practice. To set the stage for future clinical trials, our findings were validated through OS analysis of an independent cohort (cohort 2) of 173 Luminal‐like patients. Methods Both Ki67 and cyclinD1 levels were measured absolutely and quantitatively using the Quantitative Dot Blot (QDB) method in cohort 2. The proposed cutoffs for both biomarkers from cohort 1 were re‐evaluated in cohort 2 and in the merged cohort of 1 and 2, respectively, through univariate, multivariate and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Results The proposed cutoffs of 2.31 nmol/g for Ki67 and 0.44 μmol/g for cyclinD1 were validated as effective cutoffs in cohort 2 and the merged cohort through OS analysis. The combined use of both biomarkers allowed us to identify patients with both biomarker levels below the cutoffs (59.3%) with10‐year survival probability (SP) of 89%, in comparison to those above the cutoffs (8.3%) with 8 year SP of 28% through OS analysis in the merged cohort. Conclusions This study validated our findings that absolute quantitation of Ki67 and cyclinD1 allows effective subtyping of luminal‐like patients. It sets the stage for prospective or prospective‐retrospective clinical studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guohua Yu
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, China
| | - Jiahong Lyu
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., A Division of Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc of US, Yantai, China
| | - Yalun Li
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, China
| | - Yunyun Zhang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., A Division of Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc of US, Yantai, China
| | - Yan Lyu
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., A Division of Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc of US, Yantai, China
| | - Wengfeng Zhang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., A Division of Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc of US, Yantai, China
| | - Jianbo Zhang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., A Division of Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc of US, Yantai, China
| | - Bocheng Cai
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., A Division of Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc of US, Yantai, China
| | - Jiandi Zhang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., A Division of Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc of US, Yantai, China
| | - Fangrong Tang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., A Division of Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc of US, Yantai, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lyv J, Yu G, Zhang Y, Lyv Y, Zhang W, Zhang J, Tang F. 3D Visualization of the Dynamic Bidirectional Talk Between ER/PR and Her2 Pathways. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2021; 20:15330338211065603. [PMID: 34898327 PMCID: PMC8674721 DOI: 10.1177/15330338211065603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Extensive amounts of archived formalin fixed paraffin
embedded (FFPE) human tumor tissues are the ultimate resource to investigate
signaling network underlying tumorigenesis in human. Yet, their usage is
severely limited for lacking of suitable protein techniques. In this study, a
quantitative, objective, absolute, and high throughput immunoblot method,
quantitative dot blot (QDB), was explored to address this issue by investigating
the putative relationship between estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor
(PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2) pathways in breast
cancer tumorigenesis. Methods: In this descriptive observational
retrospective study, ER, PR, Her2, and Ki67 protein levels were measured
absolutely and quantitatively in 852 FFPE breast cancer tissues using the QDB
method. ER, PR, and Her2 levels were charted on the X, Y, and Z-axes to observe
samples distribution in a 3D scatterplot. Results: A “seesaw”
relationship between ER/PR and Her2 pathways was observed in ER–PR–Her2 space,
characterized by the expression levels of these 3 proteins. Specimens with
strong expressions of ER/PR proteins were found spreading along the ER/PR floor
while those with strong Her2 expression were found wrapping around the Her2
axis. Those lacking strong expressions of all 3 proteins were found accumulating
at the intersection of the ER, PR, and Her2 axes. Few specimens floated in the
ER–PR–Her2 space to suggest the lack of co-expression of all 3 proteins
simultaneously. Ki67 levels were found to be significantly reduced in specimens
spreading in the ER–PR space. Conclusions: The unique distribution
of specimens in ER–PR–Her2 space prior to any clinical intervention provided
visual support of bidirectional talk between ER/PR and Her2 pathways in breast
cancer specimens. Clinical interventions to suppress these 2 pathways
alternatively warrant further exploration for breast cancer patients
accordingly. Our study also demonstrated that the QDB method is an effective
tool to analyze archived FFPE cancer specimens in biomedical research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiahong Lyv
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc, Yantai, P. R. China
| | - Guohua Yu
- Yuhuangding Hospital, affiliated Qingdao University, Yantai, P. R.
China
| | - Yunyun Zhang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc, Yantai, P. R. China
| | - Yan Lyv
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc, Yantai, P. R. China
| | - Wenfeng Zhang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc, Yantai, P. R. China
| | - Jiandi Zhang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc, Yantai, P. R. China
- Jiandi Zhang, PhD, Yantai Quanticision
Diagnostics, Inc, Yantai, P. R. China.
| | - Fangrong Tang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc, Yantai, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hao J, Zhang W, Lyu Y, Zou J, Zhang Y, Lyu J, Zhang J, Xie S, Zhang C, Zhang J, Tang F. Combined Use of cyclinD1 and Ki67 for Prognosis of Luminal-Like Breast Cancer Patients. Front Oncol 2021; 11:737794. [PMID: 34858818 PMCID: PMC8630735 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.737794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ki67 is a biomarker of proliferation to be used in immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based surrogate assay to determine the necessity of cytotoxic therapy for Luminal-like breast cancer patients. cyclinD1 is another frequently used biomarker of proliferation. A retrospective study was performed here to investigate if these two biomarkers may be combined to improve the prognosis of Luminal-like patients. Methods Both Ki67 and cyclinD1 protein levels were measured absolutely and quantitatively using Quantitative Dot Blot method in 143 Luminal-like specimens. Optimized cutoffs for these two biomarkers were developed to evaluate their prognostic roles using Kaplan–Meier overall survival (OS) analysis. Results cyclinD1 was found as an independent prognostic factor from Ki67 in univariate and multivariate OS analyses. At optimized cutoffs (cyclinD1 at 0.44 μmol/g and Ki67 at 2.31 nmol/g), the subgroup with both biomarkers below the cutoffs (n = 65) had 10-year survival probability at 90% in comparison to those with both biomarkers above the cutoffs (n = 18) with 8-year survival probability at 26% (log-rank test, p <0.0001). This finding was used to modify the surrogate assay using IHC-based cyclinD1 scores, with p-value decreased from 0.031 to 0.00061 or from 0.1 to 0.02, when the Ki67 score of 14 or 20% was used as cutoff, respectively, in the surrogate assay. Conclusion The current study supports the prospective investigation of cyclinD1 relevance in the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junmei Hao
- Department of Pathology, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Wenfeng Zhang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., Yantai, China
| | - Yan Lyu
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., Yantai, China
| | - Jiarui Zou
- Department of Pathology, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Yunyun Zhang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., Yantai, China
| | - Jiahong Lyu
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., Yantai, China
| | - Jianbo Zhang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., Yantai, China
| | - Shuishan Xie
- Department of Pathology, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Cuiping Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Jiandi Zhang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., Yantai, China
| | - Fangrong Tang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc., Yantai, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang J, Yang M. RE: Assessment of Ki67 in Breast Cancer: Updated Recommendations from the International Ki67 in Breast Cancer Working Group. J Natl Cancer Inst 2021; 113:1595-1596. [PMID: 34003292 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djab093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jiandi Zhang
- Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc, RTP, NC 27709, USA
| | - Maozhou Yang
- Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc, RTP, NC 27709, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xin L, Tang F, Song B, Yang M, Zhang J. Objective Quantitation of EGFR Protein Levels using Quantitative Dot Blot Method for the Prognosis of Gastric Cancer Patients. J Gastric Cancer 2021; 21:335-351. [PMID: 35079437 PMCID: PMC8753283 DOI: 10.5230/jgc.2021.21.e32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose An underlying factor for the failure of several clinical trials of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapies is the lack of an effective method to identify patients who overexpress EGFR protein. The quantitative dot blot method (QDB) was used to measure EGFR protein levels objectively, absolutely, and quantitatively. Its feasibility was evaluated for the prognosis of overall survival (OS) of patients with gastric cancer. Materials and Methods Slices of 2×5 μm from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded gastric cancer specimens were used to extract total tissue lysates for QDB measurement. Absolutely quantitated EGFR protein levels were used for the Kaplan-Meier OS analysis. Results EGFR protein levels ranged from 0 to 772.6 pmol/g (n=246) for all gastric cancer patients. A poor correlation was observed between quantitated EGFR levels and immunohistochemistry scores with ρ=0.024 and P=0.717 in Spearman's correlation analysis. EGFR was identified as an independent negative prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer patients only through absolute quantitation, with a hazard ratio of 1.92 (95% confidence interval, 1.05–3.53; P=0.034) in multivariate Cox regression OS analysis. A cutoff of 208 pmol/g was proposed to stratify patients with a 3-year survival probability of 44% for patients with EGFR levels above the cutoff versus 68% for those below the cutoff based on Kaplan-Meier OS analysis (log rank test, P=0.002). Conclusions A QDB-based assay was developed for gastric cancer specimens to measure EGFR protein levels absolutely, quantitatively, and objectively. This assay should facilitate clinical trials aimed at evaluation of anti-EGFR therapies retrospectively and prospectively for gastric cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Xin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai, China
| | - Fangrong Tang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc. (Division of Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc. of USA), Yantai, China
| | - Bo Song
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai, China
| | - Maozhou Yang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc. (Division of Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc. of USA), Yantai, China
| | - Jiandi Zhang
- Yantai Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc. (Division of Quanticision Diagnostics, Inc. of USA), Yantai, China
| |
Collapse
|