Summary
Somatic mutations of ERBB2 (HER2) and
ERBB3 (HER3) are found in a wide range of cancers.
Preclinical modelling suggests that a subset lead to constitutive HER2
activation, but most remain biologically uncharacterized. We sought to
prospectively define the biologic and therapeutic significance of known
oncogenic HER2 and HER3 mutations and variants of unknown biological
significance by conducting a multi-histology, genomically selected,
‘basket’ study utilizing the pan-HER kinase inhibitor neratinib
(SUMMIT; Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01953926). Efficacy in HER2-mutant cancers varied
as a function of both tumour type and mutant allele to a degree not predicted by
preclinical models, with the greatest activity seen in breast, cervical and
biliary cancers and with tumours harbouring kinase domain missense mutations.
This study demonstrates how a molecularly driven clinical trial can be used to
further refine our biological understanding of both characterized and novel
genomic alterations with potential broad applicability for advancing the
paradigm of genome-driven oncology.
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