Variation in genetic polymorphisms and gene expression of HLA-E to predict outcomes in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients (pts) treated with first-line FOLFIRI/cetuximab: Data from the phase III FIRE-3 trial.

Abstract

245 Background: HLA-E is an MHC Class I antigen which inhibits NK cell activity by binding to CD94 receptor. Overexpression of HLA-E on crc cells is associated with poor prognostic outcomes and has recently been associated with microsatellite instability. As cet enhances NK cell activity which is dependent on HLAE, this study aims to assess whether differences in HLAE gene expression and polymorphisms lead to different outcomes. Methods: Genomic DNA from blood samples of pts treated with first-line FOLFIRI-cetuximab (cet, n = 129) and FOLFIRI-bevacizumab (bev, n = 107) was genotyped through the OncoArray, a custom array manufactured by Illumina. Gene expression levels were measured from 102 tumor samples of pts in the cet arm by HTG EdgeSeq Oncology Biomarker Panel. PFS and OS outcomes were investigated for an HLAE genetic polymorphism, rs1264457, where G > A leads to glycine > arginine, where glycine has stronger affinity for NK cell receptor. Results: FOLFIRI/cet and FOLFIRI/bev cohort characteristics: median FU (29.1/26.7mo); PFS (12.8/11.5mo); OS (49.8/31.4mo); RAS WT (64%/62%) and RAS mut (15%/16%). Overexpression of HLAE was associated with poor OS (log2 > 13, 30 vs 34 mo) in cet arm (P < .05). No significant association was observed with PFS. Multivariable analysis showed that HLAErs1264457 carriers with any A allele (n = 65) had better PFS than pts with G/G genotype (n = 18) in RAS WT pts treated with FOLFIRI/cet (12.9 vs 12.3 mo; HR = 2.36; 95%CI = 1.14-4.88; p = 0.021). A non-significant trend of improved OS was seen among carriers of A allele than G/G genotype (56.2 vs 40 mo). These effects were not observed in Ras mut pts. No significance was observed in FOLFIRI/bev overall or FOLFIRI/bev RAS WT pts. Conclusions: Overexpression of HLAE leads to poor OS among pts treated with FOLFIRI/cet. Poor PFS was seen among pts treated with cet who are RAS wt carrying polymorphisms allowing for increased binding to NK cell receptor, which in turn enhances HLAE inhibitory function of NK cell lysis. Addition of mAb against HLAE, which have been shown to restore NK cell mediated cell lysis, needs investigation in this pt population.