Trastuzumab plus pertuzumab for HER2-amplified advanced colorectal cancer: Results from the drug rediscovery protocol (DRUP)

  • Ilse A.C. Spiekman
  • , Laurien J. Zeverijn
  • , Birgit S. Geurts
  • , Karlijn Verkerk
  • , Soemeya F.Haj Mohammad
  • , Vincent van der Noort
  • , Paul Roepman
  • , Wendy W.J. de Leng
  • , Anne M.L. Jansen
  • , Elske C. Gootjes
  • , Derk Jan A. de Groot
  • , Emile D. Kerver
  • , Theo van Voorthuizen
  • , Jeanine M.L. Roodhart
  • , Liselot B.J.Valkenburg van Iersel
  • , Hans Gelderblom
  • , Emile E. Voest
  • , Henk M.W. Verheul*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Background: In 2–5% of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) is amplified or overexpressed. Despite prior evidence that anti-HER2 therapy confers clinical benefit (CB) in one-third of these patients, it is not approved for this indication in Europe. In the Drug Rediscovery Protocol (DRUP), patients are treated with off-label drugs based on their molecular profile. Here, we present the results of the cohort ‘trastuzumab/pertuzumab for treatment-refractory patients with RAS/BRAF-wild-type HER2amplified metastatic CRC (HER2+mCRC)’. 

Methods: Patients with progressive treatment-refractory RAS/BRAF-wild-type HER2+mCRC with measurable disease were included for trastuzumab plus pertuzumab treatment. Primary endpoints of DRUP are CB (defined as confirmed objective response (OR) or stable disease (SD) ≥ 16 weeks) and safety. Patients were enrolled using a Simon-like 2-stage model, with 8 patients in stage 1 and 24 patients in stage 2 if at least 1/8 patients had CB. To identify biomarkers for response, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on pre-treatment biopsies. 

Results: CB was observed in 11/24 evaluable patients (46%) with HER2+mCRC, seven patients achieved an OR (29%). Median duration of response was 8.4 months. Patients had undergone a median of 3 prior treatment lines. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 4.3 months (95% CI 1.9–10.3) and 8.2 months (95% CI 7.2–14.7), respectively. No unexpected toxicities were observed. WGS provided potential explanations for resistance in 3/10 patients without CB, for whom WGS was available. 

Conclusions: The results of this study confirm a clinically significant benefit of trastuzumab plus pertuzumab treatment in patients with HER2+mCRC.

Original languageEnglish
Article number113988
Number of pages7
JournalEuropean Journal of Cancer
Volume202
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May-2024

Keywords

  • Colorectal cancer
  • DRUP-trial
  • HER2amplification
  • Precision medicine
  • Trastuzumab plus pertuzumab

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