Abstract PS5-01-23: Validation of the HER2DX Genomic Test in First-Line Advanced HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Identifying Long-Term Responders to THP

Abstract Background: The HER2DX genomic test is a standardized, quantitative assay with demonstrated prognostic value in first-line advanced HER2+ breast cancer treated with trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and chemotherapy (THP). Here, we validated the test in an independent cohort (n=122) and explored its association with long-term outcomes in a combined real-world population (n=215). Methods: HER2DX testing was performed on baseline tumor tissue from 122 consecutive patients with advanced HER2+ breast cancer treated with first-line THP at the Breast Cancer Center, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice (Poland). In addition, we evaluated a 93-patient real-world cohort from Spain (NPJ Breast Cancer 2025) with updated survival data in order to create a combined cohort. The assay was conducted at a central laboratory in Barcelona, blinded to clinical outcomes. Outcomes were assessed using pre-established ERBB2 mRNA score cutoffs. Multivariable Cox models were adjusted for clinicopathological variables. Prognostic value was also assessed in the subgroup of patients achieving a response (partial or complete) to first-line THP. An improved version of the test, called HER2DX metastatic prognostic score (HER2DX-mets-score), which combines the HER2DX ERBB2 score with additional molecular signatures, was trained in the Spanish cohort and validated in the Polish cohort. Results: In the Polish cohort (n=122), the mean age was 59.2 years (range: 36-85.7), 72.1% of patients presented with de novo metastatic disease, and 59% had hormone receptor-positive tumors. The overall response rate was 68.9%, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 28.4 months (95% CI 17.9-42.9), and the median overall survival (OS) was 51.1 months (95% CI 43.8-87.6). Patients in the high ERBB2 mRNA group had significantly improved outcomes compared to those in the combined medium/low groups: PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.57; 95% CI 0.35-0.92; p=0.02) and OS (HR 0.48; 95% CI 0.28-0.83; p=0.009). In the combined cohort (n=215), the prognostic value of the ERBB2 score was confirmed. Patients in the high ERBB2 group had significantly longer PFS (median 33.8 months, 95% CI 25.6-52.5) and OS (median not reached) compared to those in the medium/low group (median PFS 12.5 months, 95% CI 9.79-25; median OS 37.1 months, 95% CI 25.4-47.9), with HRs of 0.50 (95% CI 0.35-0.71; p<0.001) for PFS and 0.36 (95% CI 0.23-0.54; p<0.001) for OS. The objective response rate (ORR) was significantly higher in the High HER2DX ERBB2 group (84.4%) compared to the Low group (52.0%; p <0.001). In multivariable models, the ERBB2 score remained independently prognostic. Among patients with a response to THP, those with high ERBB2 scores had a median PFS of 33.9 months (95% CI 26.9-61) and median OS not reached, compared to 17.6 months (95% CI 10.3-42.9) and 37.1 months (95% CI 25.4-51.1) in the medium/low group, respectively. Notably, in the subgroup of patients with fewer than three metastatic sites, those with high ERBB2 scores experienced a median PFS of 51.7 months (95% CI 28.6-NA) and a median OS that was not reached, compared to 20.3 months (95% CI 10.4-41.5) and 42.4 months (95% CI 27.6-55.8) in the medium/low group. HER2DX-mets-score outperformed the ERBB2 score alone in both cohorts; detailed results will be presented at the conference. Conclusions: The HER2DX ERBB2 mRNA score provides robust, independent prognostic information in patients treated with first-line THP for advanced HER2+ breast cancer. The test may help identify individuals who could be managed with chemotherapy followed by maintenance HP, while others may require treatment intensification. These findings suggest a potential role for the HER2DX ERBB2 score, and its improved version, HER2DX metastatic prognostic score, in informing more personalized treatment strategies. Citation Format: M. Kubeczko, S. Cobo, R. Sanchez-Bayona, B. Pycinski, J. Soberino, E. Chmielik, E. Sanfeliu, M. Rey, F. Pardo, A. Aguirre, O. Castillo, A. Lesniak, M. Oczko-Wojciechowska, E. Carcelero, B. Adamo, M. Vidal, M. Bergamino, J. Maues, G. Villacampa, L. Pare, E. Ciruelos, A. Prat, M. Jarzab, F. Braso-Maritany. Validation of the HER2DX Genomic Test in First-Line Advanced HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Identifying Long-Term Responders to THP [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS5-01-23.

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Journal
Clinical Cancer Research
Published
2026-02-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1158/1557-3265.sabcs25-ps5-01-23
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Advanced Breast Cancer Therapies
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article
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Abstract PS5-01-23: Validation of the HER2DX Genomic Test in First-Line Advanced HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Identifying Long-Term Responders to THP

Esther Carcelero, Sandra Cobo, Oleguer Castillo, Guillermo Villacampa et al.
Clinical Cancer Research
Advanced Breast Cancer Therapies
article

Abstract PS5-01-23: Validation of the HER2DX Genomic Test in First-Line Advanced HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Identifying Long-Term Responders to THP

Esther Carcelero, Sandra Cobo, Oleguer Castillo, Guillermo Villacampa, Marcin Kubeczko, Rodrigo Sánchez-Bayona, Jesús Soberino, Bartłomiej Pyciński, M. Rey, María José Senent Vidal, B. Adamo, Esther Sanfeliu, Ewa Chmielik, Malgorzata Oczko-Wojciechowska, L. Pare, E. Ciruelos, F. Pardo, A. Aguirre, F. Braso-Maritany, J. Maues, A. Prat, A. Lesniak, M. Bergamino, M. Jarzab
article en

Abstract

Abstract Background: The HER2DX genomic test is a standardized, quantitative assay with demonstrated prognostic value in first-line advanced HER2+ breast cancer treated with trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and chemotherapy (THP). Here, we validated the test in an independent cohort (n=122) and explored its association with long-term outcomes in a combined real-world population (n=215). Methods: HER2DX testing was performed on baseline tumor tissue from 122 consecutive patients with advanced HER2+ breast cancer treated with first-line THP at the Breast Cancer Center, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice (Poland). In addition, we evaluated a 93-patient real-world cohort from Spain (NPJ Breast Cancer 2025) with updated survival data in order to create a combined cohort. The assay was conducted at a central laboratory in Barcelona, blinded to clinical outcomes. Outcomes were assessed using pre-established ERBB2 mRNA score cutoffs. Multivariable Cox models were adjusted for clinicopathological variables. Prognostic value was also assessed in the subgroup of patients achieving a response (partial or complete) to first-line THP. An improved version of the test, called HER2DX metastatic prognostic score (HER2DX-mets-score), which combines the HER2DX ERBB2 score with additional molecular signatures, was trained in the Spanish cohort and validated in the Polish cohort. Results: In the Polish cohort (n=122), the mean age was 59.2 years (range: 36-85.7), 72.1% of patients presented with de novo metastatic disease, and 59% had hormone receptor-positive tumors. The overall response rate was 68.9%, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 28.4 months (95% CI 17.9-42.9), and the median overall survival (OS) was 51.1 months (95% CI 43.8-87.6). Patients in the high ERBB2 mRNA group had significantly improved outcomes compared to those in the combined medium/low groups: PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.57; 95% CI 0.35-0.92; p=0.02) and OS (HR 0.48; 95% CI 0.28-0.83; p=0.009). In the combined cohort (n=215), the prognostic value of the ERBB2 score was confirmed. Patients in the high ERBB2 group had significantly longer PFS (median 33.8 months, 95% CI 25.6-52.5) and OS (median not reached) compared to those in the medium/low group (median PFS 12.5 months, 95% CI 9.79-25; median OS 37.1 months, 95% CI 25.4-47.9), with HRs of 0.50 (95% CI 0.35-0.71; p<0.001) for PFS and 0.36 (95% CI 0.23-0.54; p<0.001) for OS. The objective response rate (ORR) was significantly higher in the High HER2DX ERBB2 group (84.4%) compared to the Low group (52.0%; p <0.001). In multivariable models, the ERBB2 score remained independently prognostic. Among patients with a response to THP, those with high ERBB2 scores had a median PFS of 33.9 months (95% CI 26.9-61) and median OS not reached, compared to 17.6 months (95% CI 10.3-42.9) and 37.1 months (95% CI 25.4-51.1) in the medium/low group, respectively. Notably, in the subgroup of patients with fewer than three metastatic sites, those with high ERBB2 scores experienced a median PFS of 51.7 months (95% CI 28.6-NA) and a median OS that was not reached, compared to 20.3 months (95% CI 10.4-41.5) and 42.4 months (95% CI 27.6-55.8) in the medium/low group. HER2DX-mets-score outperformed the ERBB2 score alone in both cohorts; detailed results will be presented at the conference. Conclusions: The HER2DX ERBB2 mRNA score provides robust, independent prognostic information in patients treated with first-line THP for advanced HER2+ breast cancer. The test may help identify individuals who could be managed with chemotherapy followed by maintenance HP, while others may require treatment intensification. These findings suggest a potential role for the HER2DX ERBB2 score, and its improved version, HER2DX metastatic prognostic score, in informing more personalized treatment strategies. Citation Format: M. Kubeczko, S. Cobo, R. Sanchez-Bayona, B. Pycinski, J. Soberino, E. Chmielik, E. Sanfeliu, M. Rey, F. Pardo, A. Aguirre, O. Castillo, A. Lesniak, M. Oczko-Wojciechowska, E. Carcelero, B. Adamo, M. Vidal, M. Bergamino, J. Maues, G. Villacampa, L. Pare, E. Ciruelos, A. Prat, M. Jarzab, F. Braso-Maritany. Validation of the HER2DX Genomic Test in First-Line Advanced HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Identifying Long-Term Responders to THP [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS5-01-23.

Clinical Cancer ResearchVol. 32(4_Supplement)
Breast Cancer Research Foundation (US), Hospital Universitario 12 De Octubre (ES), Hospital Quirónsalud Barcelona (ES), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (ES), Roland Park Country School (US), National Institute of Oncology (HU), Silesian Center for Heart Disease (PL), Oryzon Genomics (Spain) (ES), The Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology (PL), Consorci Institut D'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi I Sunyer (ES)
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Advanced Breast Cancer Therapies
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