Meric-Bernstam, MD, Discusses Pertuzumab Plus Trastuzumab Use Across HER2-Positive Solid Tumors

At the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, CancerNetwork® spoke with Funda Meric-Bernstam, MD, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, about using pertuzumab (Perjeta) plus trastuzumab (Herceptin) to help treat advanced solid tumors with HER2 overexpression or amplification. The MyPathway study (NCT02091141) from which the data were derived is a basket trial assessing already approved oncologic drugs across a range of tissue-agnostic indication.

The portion of the study examined showed that using pertuzumab plus trastuzumab was active in KRAS wild-type, HER2 amplified or overexpressed tumors. However, the study found limited activity in KRAS-mutated tumors.

Transcript:

This study suggests that this is a time where we really need to be thoughtful about looking at molecular reports. I do think the data on activity is strong enough for HER2 testing and should be considered for patients broadly, especially for patients that are already undergoing germline testing. [With] HER2 amplification in the absence of KRAS mutation, we should consider HER2-targeted therapies. I do want to point out that KRASmutations conferring resistance [are] not just limited to pertuzumab and trastuzumab and are probably relevant to other combinations of monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors, as well. We would potentially be reluctant to extrapolate other novel technologies targeting HER2 now. I think HER2 is a driver across tumor types that only needs to be pursued when it is visualized.

References

Meric-Bernstam F, Hainsworth J, Bose R, et al. MyPathway HER2 basket study: Pertuzumab (P) + trastuzumab (H) treatment of a large, tissue-agnostic cohort of patients with HER2-positive advanced solid tumors. J Clin Oncol. 2021;39(suppl 15):3004. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2021.39.15_suppl.3004