Impact of HER2 low expression in the Oncotype DX RS in patients with operable hormone receptor positive early stage breast cancer.
Authors: Munoz-Arcos Laura Sofia , Nicolo' Eleonora , Newman Lisa A. , Cigler Tessa , Andreopoulou Eleni , Moore Anne , Donahue Jeannine , Cristofanilli Massimo 
Published: June 2023

575

Background: Two thirds of breast carcinomas are human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) low. To date, it is still unclear whether hormone receptor (HR) positive HER2 low tumors represent a distinct biological subtype. HER2 low status is not considered an independent predictive factor for benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in HR positive early breast cancer. We aim to investigate the impact of HER2 low expression on the established predictive biomarker Oncotype DX RS in a cohort of patients with HR positive HER2 negative early breast cancer. Methods: Retrospective study of patients with stage I-III HR positive HER2 negative breast cancer treated with upfront surgery between 2019-2022 at the Weill Cornell Breast Center and for whom Oncotype DX RS test was available. Patients were grouped to HER2-0 (immunohistochemistry (IHC) score of 0) or HER2 low (IHC score of 1+ or, 2+ with non-amplified in situ hybridization) expression. Clinicopathological characteristics and Oncotype DX RS were compared across the different categories of HER2 expression. Results: Of 509 patients included, 37% and 63% were grouped as HER2-0 and HER2 low, respectively. Median age at diagnosis was 61 years [IQR 50-69]. Sixty-eight percent of patients were postmenopausal. Stage I, II and III corresponded to 76%, 23% and 1% of patients, respectively. Seven percent of patients had nodal involvement. Ductal carcinoma was the most common histological type (75%) followed by lobular carcinoma (17%). Most tumors had low-intermediate histological grade (81%) with a median Ki-67 of 10% [IQR 5-15]. No significant difference was observed in clinicopathological characteristics between the HER2-0 and HER2 low groups. The overall median Oncotype DX RS was 16 [IQR 11-21]. The median Oncotype DX RS based on a HER2 expression of 0, 1+ and 2+ was 15, 17 and 17, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the Oncotype DX RS score and HER2 expression, when comparing HER2-0 to HER2 low (p = 0.578), HER2-0 to HER2-1+ (p = 0.775) and HER2-0 to HER2-2+ (p = 0.157). In the pre-menopausal and lobular carcinoma subgroups, the median Oncotype DX RS was 15 [IQR 9-21] and 17 [IQR 12-22], respectively; and there was no statistically significant difference between the Oncotype DX RS score and HER2 expression (p > 0.05). Post-surgery, 87%, 66% and 13% of patients received endocrine therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, respectively. Median follow up time was 16 months [IQR 8-34]. Disease recurrence was documented in 9 (2%) patients. Conclusions: In this study, we found no differences in the Oncotype DX RS and the prognostic pathological features between the HER2-0 and HER2 low groups which is in line with previous retrospective studies. Survival analysis was limited by the median follow up. Further studies on the understanding of the biology of HER2-low and its clinical implications in early breast cancer are needed.