Abstract P3-07-08: Multi-omic predictor of rapid and late relapse in primary triple negative breast cancer

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease. Clinically, we observe three distinct TNBC outcomes: 1) rapid relapse (rrTNBC) characterized by aggressive drug resistant disease; 2) late relapse (lrTNBC) characterized by indolent or treatment responsive disease; and 3) no relapse (NoRTNBC). We hypothesized that distinct clinical and genomic features of primary tumors define rapid versus late relapse in TNBC.

Approach: Using three publicly-available datasets (METABRIC, TCGA, and a prior gene expression meta-analysis), we identified 455 patients diagnosed with primary TNBC with adequate follow-up to be characterized as rrTNBC (relapse or death within 2 years of diagnosis), lrTNBC (relapse or death more than 2 years after diagnosis), or NoRTNBC (no relapse/death with at least 5 years follow-up). We compiled basic clinical (n=455 patients) and primary tumor multi-omic data, including whole transcriptome (n=455), whole genome copy number (n=317), and mutation data for 171 cancer-related genes (n=317). We evaluated intrinsic subtypes (PAM50, TNBCtype), 125 gene expression signatures, CIBERSORT immune subsets, copy number, and mutation frequency.

Results: We first evaluated patients with relapse (rrTNBC+lrTNBC) vs. NoRTNBC. There was no significant difference in age, grade, stage at diagnosis, or PAM50 or TNBC subtype proportion between relapse and NoRTNBC. Among 125 expression signatures, five immune signatures were significantly higher in NoRTNBCs (FDR p<0.05) suggesting increased immune activity in patients who do not relapse. Using CIBERSORT inferred immune subsets, anti-tumor CD8 T-cell, M1 macrophage, and gamma-delta T-cell subsets were all highly correlated to these immune signatures (all Pearson's r >= 0.3, all p<1.2e-8). Among genomic features, patients who relapsed were significantly more likely to harbor a mutation in PIK3CA (Fisher exact FDR p=0.02) but there was no significant difference in tumor mutation burden or percent genome altered (Student's t-test p=0.83 and p=0.99, respectively). We then evaluated primary TNBC genomic data in patients who ultimately developed rapid vs. late relapse. Patients with rrTNBC were more likely to be higher stage (p<0.0001) while lrTNBC were more likely to be non-basal PAM50 subtype (p=0.03). Among 11 significantly altered gene expression signatures (FDR p<0.05), 6 estrogen/luminal signatures were significantly higher in lrTNBC. Mutations in DNAH11 and PIK3CA were more common in lrTNBC (Fisher exact FDR p=0.04 and p=0.05, respectively) but there were no significant differences in tumor mutation burden or copy number burden (Student's t-test p=0.13 and p=0.45, respectively). Using 317 cases with full genomic data divided into training and validation datasets, we will report a comparison of machine learning models for predicting relapse versus no relapse and rapid versus late relapse.

Conclusions: Primary TNBC tumors destined for rapid, late, or no relapse reflect distinct genomic features. Anti-tumor immune signatures and subsets are enriched in patients who do not relapse yet no difference in mutational or copy number burden. Relative to rapid relapse TNBCs, late relapse TNBCs are enriched for non-basal tumors, estrogen/luminal expression signatures, and mutations in DNAH11 and PIK3CA.

Citation Format: Zhang Y, Nock W, Asad S, Adams E, Singh J, Damicis A, Lustberg MB, Noonan A, Reinbolt R, Sardesai S, VanDeusen J, Wesolowski R, Williams N, Ramaswamy B, Stover DG. Multi-omic predictor of rapid and late relapse in primary triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-07-08.

Abstract P1-09-01: CD8+ T-cell gene expression and signatures in breast cancer and adjacent normal breast tissue: Association with body mass index, alcohol intake, and age at diagnosis

Background: Our understanding of mediators of immune infiltration in breast cancer and normal breast tissue remains limited. We hypothesize that patient factors known to be associated with inflammation and immune subsets, including body mass index, alcohol intake, and age and diagnosis, may play an important role in the tumor-immune microenvironment. Analyses of immune gene expression and signatures facilitate interrogation of the immune microenvironment in large patient cohorts.

Methods: Participants from the Nurses' Health Study cohorts I and II diagnosed with invasive breast cancer were included. Total RNA extracted and microarray performed for 882 tumor and 695 tumor-adjacent samples, of which 623 tumors have matched tumor-adjacent data. CD8+ T-cell expression metrics were assessed: CD8A single gene expression (CD8Agene), a CD8 T-cell signature (CD8sig), and a tumor infiltrating lymphocyte signature derived from the GeparSixto clinical trial (GSAct). Standard clinicopathologic features were evaluated, as well as body mass index (BMI) one year prior to diagnosis, cumulative average alcohol intake, and age at diagnosis.

Results: Overall, tumor and adjacent normal tissue demonstrated positive correlation of CD8Agene, CD8sig, and GSAct (n=623 pairs, Pearson's r = 0.46, 0.36, 0.31, respectively; all p<0.001). Similar correlations were present in TCGA breast cancer, an independent cohort (n=112 pairs, Pearson's r = 0.34, 0.17, 0.45, respectively; all p<0.001). We evaluated paired tumor and adjacent normal samples within individual immunohistochemical (IHC) subtype or PAM50 subtype by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. There was not a consistent trend for CD8Agene, CD8sig, nor GSAct to be greater in tumor or normal within subtypes. We then evaluated patient features/exposures and tumor immune expression metrics. For tumor-adjacent normal, there was no significant association of alcohol intake, BMI, or age at diagnosis with CD8 gene/expression metrics. For tumor tissue, a multivariate model demonstrated that BMI one year before diagnosis was significantly associated with CD8Agene expression. There was no significant association of alcohol intake or age at diagnosis with CD8 gene/expression metrics. We are currently evaluating the association of these CD8 T-cell gene expression signatures with CD8 T-cell immunohistochemistry in a subset of patients, which will be reported at the time of abstract presentation.

Conclusion: In this cohort of over 600 tumor:normal pairs and a separate validation cohort, multiple distinct CD8+ T-cell expression metrics are correlated between breast cancer and tumor-adjacent normal breast tissue. This suggests that the adjacent normal breast may reflect an altered immune microenvironment in the context of breast cancer. While age at diagnosis and alcohol intake are not significantly associated with tumor CD8 expression metrics, BMI was significantly associated with tumor CD8Agene expression in a multivariate model.

Citation Format: Damicis A, Heng YJ, Kensler K, Asad S, Adams E, Singh J, Zhang Y, Nock W, Wesolowski R, Williams N, Reinbolt R, Sardesai S, VanDeusen J, Noonan A, Lustberg MB, Ramaswamy B, Eliassen AH, Hankinson SE, Tamimi R, Stover DG. CD8+ T-cell gene expression and signatures in breast cancer and adjacent normal breast tissue: Association with body mass index, alcohol intake, and age at diagnosis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-01.

Abstract P4-16-03: Cardiovascular outcomes and long term survival with discontinuation of adjuvant trastuzumab

Background: Trastuzumab (T) induced cardiomyopathy remains a significant limitation to adjuvant HER2 directed therapy. Recent studies have aimed to reduce cardiotoxicity through combination with non-anthracycline (non-A) chemotherapy or shorter treatment duration. However there is limited data regarding cardiac outcomes and long-term survival with early discontinuation of adjuvant T.

Methods: An IRB-approved single-institution retrospective analysis was performed for 401 consecutive patients with non-metastatic HER2+ breast cancer treated at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center from 2005-2015. Medical records were reviewed for clinicopathologic features, systemic treatment and survival information. Disease Free Survival (DFS) was defined as time from diagnosis to first recurrence (loco-regional or distant recurrence) including second primary breast cancer or death. Overall survival (OS) was defined as time from diagnosis to death or last known follow up. OS and DFS estimates were generated using Kaplan Meier methods and compared using Log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate univariate and multivariate hazard ratios for OS and DFS.

Results: A total of 371/401 (92.5%) patients received adjuvant T (n= 401, mean age: 59.4 years; stage 1: 120, 30%; stage II: 194, 48%; stage III: 87, 22%; ER+: 235, 58%); among whom 106/371 (28.6%) patients held adjuvant T for any reason. Median duration of therapy in patients with any interruption with T was 11.3 (0.5-16.9) months and 23/371 (6.9%) received less than 6 months of adjuvant T. Cardiomyopathy (measured as LVEF decline on 2D echocardiogram or MUGA >= 15 points) was the most common reason for withholding T (66/106, 62.3%). The majority of these patients received a cardiology referral (77/ 106, 72.6%) with a 13 day mean time to evaluation in outpatient clinic. Patients receiving non-A chemotherapy and beta blockers or ACE inhibitors during treatment were significantly less likely to experience cardiomyopathy (A vs non-A: 49/190, 25.8% vs. 16/136, 11.8% p=0.002); (Med vs no Med: 7/148, 4.73% vs 59/184, 32.1%; p<0.001). Log-rank tests indicate a significant worsening in OS and DFS for patients who discontinued T (p=0.021, 0.001 respectively). Multivariate analyses confirmed significant worsening in DFS after adjusting for age, stage, ER , node status, and cardiomyopathy (Adjusted HR: 4.0[2.02 – 7.92], p< 0.001)

Table 1- Discontinuation of adjuvant trastuzumab Number of patients (%)Initial treatment371Completed therapy with no interruption265 (71.4)Interruption of therapy for minimum of 2 weeks64 (17.2)Permanently discontinued42 (11.3)

Conclusion: Discontinuation of adjuvant trastuzumab, most often from cardiomyopathy, is an independent prognostic marker for worse DFS in non-metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer. Non-anthracycline chemotherapy and use of cardio-protective medication is associated with significantly reduced incidence of cardiotoxicity in this population. Future prospective studies should consider optimizing cardiovascular function to avoid interruption in adjuvant HER 2 directed therapy.

Citation Format: Sardesai S, Liu J, Palettas M, Stephens J, Stover D, Williams N, Reinbolt R, VanDeusen J, Wesolowski R, Lustberg M, Ramaswamy B. Cardiovascular outcomes and long term survival with discontinuation of adjuvant trastuzumab [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-16-03.

Abstract OT2-05-03: Does minocycline mitigate chemotherapy induced neuroinflammation? A phase II randomized placebo controlled study

Background: Many breast cancer (BC) patients, particularly those who receive chemotherapy (chemo), experience affective symptoms and cognitive changes that can negatively impact their quality of life. Causal links between inflammatory mediators and the development of depressive-like behavior and cognitive defects, have been established in mouse models, including studies by our group showing increased microglial activation following chemo (A.C DeVries et al). Microglia are resident immune cells of the brain, which release proinflammatory cytokines when activated. Doxorubicin (DOX) induces microglial activation in the brain. Minocycline, a second generation tetracycline, has been shown to suppress inflammation by inhibiting microglial activation in CNS disease models. We hypothesize that (1) chemo activates microglia in the brains of women being treated for BC, which can precipitate or exacerbate depression, anxiety and cognitive deficits and (2) Minocycline administration during neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemo will prevent chemo-induced microglial activation and will reduce affective and cognitive symptom burden. Trial Design: This is a single center, Phase II, double blinded randomized study of minocycline (100 mg twice a day) vs placebo twice a day in women with BC receiving DOX-based or other chemo for BC. Pts will be randomized to either oral minocycline or placebo for up to a 1 week loading period plus chemo treatment period and an optional subsequent 2 week period. Eligibility Criteria: Women diagnosed with BC stages I-III initiating first line adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemo. Aims: (1) to evaluate symptoms related to anxiety and depression and cognitive changes during and after chemo completion (2) to evaluate markers of neuro inflammation as assessed by blood based inflammatory cytokines and central markers of inflammation and microglia activation using 1 F-Fludeoxyglucose and 11C-PK11195 positron emission tomography. Primary endpoints are changes in Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and State Trait Anxiety Index (STAI) from baseline to end of study after minocycline vs placebo intervention. Secondary endpoints are changes in cognitive function during chemo using validated cognitive testing including N-Back Test, Behavioural Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and the Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire Ability Scale (MMQ). Statistical Methods: Primary analysis for efficacy will be intention-to-treat. The main objective is to preliminarily evaluate the effect of minocycline on chemo-induced depressive symptoms in terms of changes in CES-D and STAI scores. Mixed models will be used to evaluate cognitive function changes. A sample size of 23 per group, will give 80% power to detect an effect size of 0.74 standard deviation (SD) difference between the 2 groups at significance level of 0.10 based on a 2 sided two-sample t-test. From our experience, attrition of less than 20% is expected for studies in this patient population in our center, and to account for this, we plan to recruit up to 60 patients. 16 of 46 evaluable pts have been accrued to date. Accrual started in January 2016. Funded by Pelotonia grant from The OSUCCC. Contact: Study PI: Maryam.lustberg@osumc.edu

Citation Format: Boutrid H, Reinbolt R, Knopp M, Williams N, VanDeusen J, Sardesai S, Noonan A, Flora L, Gleich E, Pan X, Berger M, Vargo C, Wesolowski R, Ramaswamy B, DeVries AC, Lustberg M. Does minocycline mitigate chemotherapy induced neuroinflammation? A phase II randomized placebo controlled study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-05-03.