Changes in plasma cfDNA ERBB2 copy number reflect prognosis in HER2-positive gastric cancer: a correlative analysis of the KSCC-TROX A2 study
Real-time blood tests tracking HER2 levels during stomach cancer treatment reveal which patients need prompt strategy changes.
In 55 HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer patients enrolled in a phase II trial, longitudinal increase in plasma cfDNA ERBB2 copy number during treatment independently predicted shorter progression-free and overall survival, while baseline ERBB2 CN was not predictive. This real-time liquid biopsy approach offers a practical on-treatment prognostic biomarker for HER2+ gastric cancer management.
What the study was
- Study design
- Prespecified correlative analysis of phase II trial
- Population
- HER2-positive advanced or recurrent gastric cancer patients (KSCC-TROX trial)
- Sample size
- 55
- Category
- Diagnostics
- Maturity
- Validated
- Journal
- International Journal of Clinical Oncology
Why it surfaced
Pre-specified correlative analysis of phase II trial adding cfDNA HER2 monitoring for gastric cancer; longitudinal change (ΔCN) independently prognostic in multivariable analysis; ddPCR methodology robust; small n=55 but clean trial-embedded design
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