Abstract 5166: A multiplexed immunofluorescence assay to assess Rb and phospho-Rb as predictive biomarkers for CDK4/6 inhibitors in HR+/HER2- breast cancer
Authors: Tabassum Mantasha , Kanna Shivaani Suresh , Cao Wangjia , Rimawi Mothaffar , Miles George E , Trivedi Meghana V 
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) are used as the first-line treatment of advanced/metastatic or high-risk HR+/HER2- breast cancer (BC) that make up about 60-70% of all cases. However, nearly 50% of patients exhibit drug resistance. Therefore, biomarkers that predict CDK4/6i response are needed to spare patients from toxicities and high costs. Resistance to CDK4/6i [palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib] is associated with the aberrant or loss of Retinoblastoma (Rb). A decline in phospho-Rb (pRb) levels on therapy is also associated with CDK4/6i response. We aimed to develop a multiplex immunofluorescence (IF) assay to assess Rb and pRb levels that can be used on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) to predict tumor response to CDK4/6i. Here, we report the selection of internal controls for Rb and pRb, assay repeatability and reproducibility, as well as compatibility of the CTC isolation protocol with the assay.

Methods: Rb and pRb expression was evaluated by western blotting (WB) and IF in parental (P), estrogen deprivation-resistant (EDR), palbociclib-resistant (PalboR), and EDR/PalboR derivatives of two HR+/HER2- cell lines (MCF7 and T47D), Rb1 KO cells of MCF7 and T47D, as well as triple-negative cell lines, BT549 and MDA-MB-468. IF-stained cells were imaged using Leica STED SP8 confocal microscope and Zeiss Axioscan 7. The concordance between IF and WB results was assessed using a Bland-Altman plot. Selectivity and specificity of the assay as well as repeatability and reproducibility between investigators were also assessed. Blood from healthy subjects was used to test the compatibility of the ScreenCell® filtration system to isolate CTC with the IF assay.

Results: Our initial approach utilized indirect IF staining for Rb and pRb using the same primary antibodies as WB. On the Bland-Altman plot, most data points were relatively close to the bias line, suggesting that the difference between the two methods was acceptable. The analytical range for mean Rb and pRb staining intensity was 0.744 - 46.779 and 1.001 - 52.919, respectively. Based on WB and IF data, we nominated T47D PalboR and MDA-MB-468 cells as negative controls for Rb and pRb expression. The selectivity and specificity were 100% and 70%, respectively, for the Rb expression and 99% and 61% for pRb, respectively. The IF assay was repeatable and reproducible between two investigators. The ScreenCell® CTC isolation method was not compatible with the assay, as Rb and pRb expression was either not detected or limited when processed using FC2 or PBTFC buffer, irrespective of the antigen retrieval.

Conclusion: We have selected internal cell line controls for Rb and pRb and are in the process of optimizing signal-to-noise ratio and specificity using conjugated antibodies. We are also testing the compatibility of other CTC isolation methods with the IF assay.

Citation Format: Mantasha Tabassum, Shivaani Suresh Kanna, Wangjia Cao, Mothaffar Rimawi, George E Miles, Meghana V Trivedi. A multiplexed immunofluorescence assay to assess Rb and phospho-Rb as predictive biomarkers for CDK4/6 inhibitors in HR+/HER2- breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 5166.