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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Detection of a Circulating MicroRNA Custom Panel in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Published on: March 14, 2019
Anti-Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 therapies in metastatic colorectal cancer: a systematic review and
Simone Rota1, Paola Di Nardo1, Emma Zottarelli1
1Department of Medical Oncology, CRO di Aviano-National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, 33081, Italy.
Background:
HER2 amplification identifies a subgroup of colorectal cancer with poorer prognosis and resistance to anti-EGFR therapy. We conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis of available data on anti-HER2 treatments (HER2Tx) in mCRC patients (pts).
Methods:
A systematic literature search was performed, encompassing phase II/III clinical trials (CTs) investigating HER2Tx in HER2-overexpressed mCRC. CTs reporting HER2Tx plus chemotherapy were excluded. Primary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR). Fixed and random-effect models were applied according to heterogeneity assessed through I 2 statistics. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared descriptively and pooled using the weighted median of medians (WM) with approximated 95% CIs. Subgroup analyses by HER2Tx were carried out.
Results:
The analysis included 10 CTs evaluating Trastuzumab-Pertuzumab (T + P, 5 CTs,), Trastuzumab Deruxtecan (T-DXd, 2 CTs), Trastuzumab-Lapatinib (T + L, 1 CT), Pertuzumab-TDM1 (P+TDM1, 1 CT), and Trastuzumab-Tucatinib (T-Tu, 1 CT), for a total of 467 pts. The pooled ORR was 33.7% (29.6%-38.1%), and the pooled DCR was 68.5% (58.1%-77.4%). The WM OS was 13.4 months (10-24.1) and WM PFS was 5.5 months (4.1-6.9). The T-DX and T-Tu groups showed higher ORR and DCR (38% and 39% respectively, 85.1% and 73.2% respectively) compared to the T + P group (ORR, 30%; DCR, 52.6%).
Conclusions:
HER2Tx demonstrated efficacy in pretreated CRC pts, exhibiting good DCR and ORR alongside promising PFS and OS. T-DXd and T-Tu appear to outperform T + P; however, further studies are needed.
Insights
Anti-HER2 treatments (HER2Tx) show efficacy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients with HER2 amplification. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) and trastuzumab-tucatinib (T-Tu) demonstrated superior response rates compared to trastuzumab-pertuzumab (T+P).
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Translational Research
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- HER2 amplification is linked to poor prognosis and resistance to anti-EGFR therapy in colorectal cancer.
- Identifying effective treatments for HER2-amplified metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze data on anti-HER2 treatments (HER2Tx) in HER2-overexpressed mCRC.
- To evaluate the efficacy of different HER2Tx regimens in pretreated mCRC patients.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of phase II/III clinical trials (CTs) involving HER2Tx in HER2-overexpressed mCRC.
- Exclusion of CTs combining HER2Tx with chemotherapy.
- Pooled analysis of objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).
Main Results:
- Analysis of 10 CTs involving 467 patients treated with various HER2Tx regimens.
- Pooled ORR was 33.7% and pooled DCR was 68.5%.
- Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) and trastuzumab-tucatinib (T-Tu) showed higher ORR and DCR compared to trastuzumab-pertuzumab (T+P).
Conclusions:
- Anti-HER2 treatments (HER2Tx) are effective in pretreated mCRC patients, showing good DCR and ORR with promising PFS and OS.
- T-DXd and T-Tu may offer superior efficacy over T+P in HER2-amplified mCRC.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings.
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