The data add to growing evidence supporting the use of HER2 therapy across solid tumors, though researchers find a difficult path to a tissue-agnostic approval.
The TATTON study found a combination therapy could treat some EGFR-positive lung cancer patients who developed MET-based resistance, but the best way to gauge MET status isn't yet clear.
Based on the findings, MD Anderson is already using HER2 status to recommend patients for clinical trials instead of EGFR drugs and authors recommend others follow suit.
Using samples from different points in patients' treatment, researchers employed a variety of tools, including NanoString's GeoMx DSP, to explore potential response markers.
The updated guidelines confirm HER2 gene amplification assessed by ISH and protein overexpression assessed by IHC are primary predictors of responsiveness to HER2 therapy.
In a pan-cancer analysis, Lynch syndrome genes were mutated more often than anticipated in tumors with high or intermediate levels of microsatellite instability.
Data presented at ASCO showing 76 percent of cancer patients responded to larotrectinib could lead to the availability of the first tissue-agnostic targeted drug.
