The impact of HER2/neu expression level on response to the E75 Vaccine: From U.S. military cancer institute clinical trials group study I-01 and I-02

Linda C. Benavides, Jeremy D. Gates, Mark G. Carmichael, Ritesh Patel, Jarrod P. Holmes, Matthew T. Hueman, Elizabeth A. Mittendorf, Dianna Craig, Alexander Stojadinovic, Sathibalan Ponniah, George E. Peoples

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

105 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: HER2/neu, a source of immunogenic peptides, is expressed in >75% of breast cancer patients. We have conducted clinical trials with the HER2/neu E75 peptide vaccine in breast cancer patients with varying levels of HER2/neu expression. Vaccine response based on HER2/neu expression level was analyzed. Experimental Design: Patients were stratified by HER2/neu expression. Low expressors (n = 100) were defined as HER2/neu immunohistochemistry (IHC) 1 + to 2 + or fluorescence in situ hybridization < 2.0. Overexpressors (n = 51) were defined as IHC 3 + or fluorescence in situ hybridization ≥ 2.0. Additional analyses were done stratifying by IHC status (0-3 +). Standard clinocopathlogic factors, immunologic response (in vivo delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions; ex vivo human leukocyte antigen A2:immunoglobulin G dimer assay), and clinical responses (recurrence; mortality) were assessed. Results: Low-expressor (control, 44; vaccinated, 56) versus overexpressor patients (control, 22; vaccinated, 29) were assessed. Low expressors, overexpressors, and most IHC-status vaccinated groups responded immunologically.Vaccinated low-expressor patients had larger maximum immunologic responses compared with overexpressor patients (P = 0.04), andvaccinated IHC1 + patients had increased long-term immune response (P = 0.08). More importantly, compared with controls, low-expressor patients had a mortality reduction (P = 0.08). The largest decrease in mortality was seen in IHC 1 + patients (P = 0.05). In addition, a subset of overexpressor patients (n = 7) received trastuzumab before vaccination, and this combination seems safe and immunologically beneficial. Conclusions: Most patients with various levels of HER2/neu expression responded immunologically and seemed to benefit from vaccination. The low expressors, specifically IHC1 + patients, had more robust immunologic responses and may derive the greatest clinical benefit from the E75 vaccine.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2895-2904
Number of pages10
JournalClinical Cancer Research
Volume15
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Apr 2009
Externally publishedYes

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