PIK3CA mutations and first-line outcomes in endocrine-resistant HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer: A multicentric

Maria Vittoria Dieci1, Grazia Vernaci2, Chiara Colangelo3

  • 1Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Division of Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IRCCS, Padova, Italy.

European Journal of Cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
|December 23, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

In advanced breast cancer, PIK3CA mutations in endocrine-resistant patients indicate a worse prognosis. This finding supports the use of escalated therapies for this patient group.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Clinical Research

Background:

  • Limited data exists on endocrine-resistant, PIK3CA-mutated HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer in real-world settings.
  • The CHAMBER study prospectively investigates circulating PIK3CA mutations in these patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of circulating PIK3CA mutations in endocrine-resistant HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer patients.
  • To assess the prognostic significance of PIK3CA mutations in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to analyze the PIK3CA gene.
  • Endocrine resistance was defined by primary or secondary relapse criteria.
  • Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival 1 (PFS1) were calculated from first-line therapy start.

Main Results:

  • 22% of the CHAMBER population had endocrine resistance; 29% of these had PIK3CA mutations.
  • PIK3CA mutation was associated with significantly shorter OS (36 vs. 65 months) and PFS1 (10 vs. 22 months).
  • Patients often had secondary endocrine resistance, visceral relapse, and received first-line CDK4/6 inhibitors.

Conclusions:

  • Co-occurrence of endocrine resistance and PIK3CA mutation identifies a high-risk population.
  • These findings support the rationale for escalated treatment strategies in this subgroup.