Overview
Biomarkers play a crucial role in determining the best treatment options for metastatic breast cancer (mBC). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing plays a crucial role in identifying these biomarkers. The recent approval of the pan-AKT inhibitor capivasertib by the FDA in November 2023 highlights the importance of understanding alterations in the PIK3CA, AKT1, and PTEN genes. This retrospective cohort study aims to investigate the prevalence and testing patterns of these gene alterations in HR+/HER2- mBC.
The study highlights that less than 40% of mBC patients underwent NGS testing from 2017 to 2023, but testing rates increased over time. Among patients tested with Foundation Medicine Comprehensive Genomic Profiling, around half had a PIK3CA, AKT1, and/or PTEN alteration. Among those patients with alterations in their tumor, 37% also had an ESR1 gene mutation, and 6% had a BRCA1/2 mutation. Integrating NGS testing into routine clinical practice is crucial for optimizing treatment decisions and improving outcomes by identifying personalized treatment options.
Why this matters
The study highlights that NGS testing rates from 2017 to 2023 were low, despite the high rate of PIK3CA/AKT1/PTEN alterations observed among tested patients. Integrating NGS testing into routine clinical practice is crucial for optimizing treatment decisions and improving outcomes by identifying personalized treatment options.