The landscape of genomic alterations detected in serial circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in clinical progressive metastatic breast cancer.

Abstract

1084 Background: Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is associated with genomic evolution, representing a challenge at clinical progression. While tissue and blood next-generation sequencing (NGS) allows for the baseline detection of alterations, non-invasive longitudinal assessment of ctDNA can provide a tool for monitoring tumor evolution. We characterized genomic changes using serial ctDNA testing in patients with clinical progression. Methods: Patient data was obtained under an IRB-approved protocol and ctDNA was collected at Northwestern University between 2015-2019. All ctDNA samples were analyzed using the Guardant360 NGS assay. Of 255 patients with MBC, 86 had at least two serial ctDNA collections with the second collection drawn at first progression (P1) by imaging and clinical assessment. Participants were followed until second clinical progression (P2). We analyzed type of alterations, mutant allele frequency (MAF), number of alterations (NOA), and sites of disease on imaging in close proximity to ctDNA evaluation. Matched pairs variations in MAF and NOA at P1 and P2 were tested through Wilcoxon test. Results: We identified 44 HR+, 20 HER2+ and 22 TNBC cases. Median lines of therapy were 3 (interquartile range (IQR): 1-6) for HR+, 3 (IQR: 1-5) for HER2+, and 2 (IQR: 1-4) for TNBC. The most likely alterations between baseline to P1 were TP53 (p < 0.0075), PIK3CA (p < 0.0126), AR (p < 0.0126), FGFR1 (p < 0.0455) and ESR1 (p < 0.0143). In the HR+ subset , ESR1 was statistically more likely at P1. ESR1 at P1 was also associated with development of new liver lesions (p < 0.0320). ERBB2 mutation at P1 was associated with new lung (p < 0.0050) or bone lesions (p < 0.0030). Increase in NOA was observed between baseline and P1 (p < 0.0001), P1 and P2 (p < 0.0001), and baseline to P2 (p < 0.0004). MAF was increased between baseline and P2 (p < 0.0480). Conclusions: Serial ctDNA testing identified resistance alterations ( TP53, PIK3CA, AR, ESR1, FGFR1), with some mutations indicating new sites of disease ( ESR1, ERBB2). Heterogeneity of ctDNA was significantly associated with progressive disease. Prospective evaluation of the impact of serial ctDNA testing on treatment decisions is needed to expand the role of precision medicine in MBC. [Table: see text]