HER2DX ERBB2 mRNA Score Linked to Improved Survival in First-line Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Researchers used the HER2DX ERBB2 mRNA score to predict treatment responses and long-term prognosis in first-line metastatic HER2-positive (HER+) breast cancer (BC) patients treated with a taxane-trastuzumab-pertuzumab combination (THP). The findings are being presented at ESMO Breast Cancer 2024, taking place May 15-17 in Berlin, Germany.

This study assessed 85 patients with advanced HER2+ BC treated with the standard THP regimen between 2010 and 2024. Researchers correlated HER2DX ERBB2 mRNA scores, both as a continuous variable and as predefined categories (low, medium, high), with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) using Cox regression models.

According to the findings, the HER2DX ERBB2 score was significantly associated with both PFS and OS, especially in the ERRB2-high group, in which researchers observed better PFS (28.6 vs 12.5 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.45; 95% CI, 0.26-0.78; P=.005) and OS (not reached vs 29.8 months; HR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.12-0.44; P<.001).

“The HER2DX ERBB2 mRNA score shows a significant association with improved survival in metastatic HER2+ BC patients treated initially with THP. Additional validation of the HER2DX ERBB2 score and integration of prognostic clinical factors might refine and optimize treatment strategies in this clinical setting,” the researchers concluded.