JelloX Biotech Inc., a Taiwan-based startup specializing in cancer pathology, has announced preliminary results from a research collaboration with the National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) that could significantly impact breast cancer treatment decisions. The study revealed that JelloX's 3D pathology technology identified a substantially higher proportion of tumors with HER2-low and HER2-ultralow expression compared to traditional diagnostic methods.
The research found that more than half of the analyzed breast cancer cases exhibited diagnostic discrepancies when re-evaluated using JelloX's advanced 3D pathology methods. Most notably, among patients initially classified as HER2-null by conventional methods, more than 66.7% were reclassified as HER2-expressing (either HER2-low or HER2-ultralow) using the 3D technology.
This reclassification has significant treatment implications, as patients with HER2-expressing tumors may be eligible for treatment with Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), a novel antibody-drug conjugate that has demonstrated superior efficacy over conventional chemotherapy in HER2-low and HER2-ultralow metastatic breast cancer.
The Importance of Accurate HER2 Detection
Breast cancer remains the most prevalent form of cancer according to the US National Cancer Institute. The precise determination of HER2 status has become essential for treatment planning, particularly with the development of targeted therapies.
Traditional diagnostic methods have shown limitations in detecting HER2 protein expression, particularly when dealing with the spatial heterogeneity of HER2 within tumors. The 3D pathology approach developed by JelloX appears to address these limitations by providing more comprehensive sampling and analysis of tumor tissue.
"For the specific challenges posed by metastatic breast cancer and the need to identify predictive biomarkers accurately, the high sampling capacity of 3D pathology holds particular potential," explained Dr. Yen-Yin Lin, CEO of JelloX. "JelloX Biotech's Comprehensive HER2 Diagnostic Solution is poised to revolutionize HER2 diagnostics. With a more comprehensive data set on tumor samples, healthcare providers can be empowered to make more precise diagnoses, ensuring that the right patients receive the right treatment at the right time."
Clinical Implications for Patient Care
The findings from this research collaboration could have far-reaching implications for breast cancer patients. The reclassification of HER2 status means that a significant number of patients previously considered ineligible for HER2-targeted therapies might now benefit from treatments like T-DXd.
This is particularly important for patients with metastatic breast cancer, where treatment options may be limited and the identification of effective targeted therapies can significantly impact survival and quality of life.
The increased sensitivity of 3D pathology in detecting HER2 expression could potentially lead to more personalized treatment approaches, allowing clinicians to match patients with the most appropriate therapies based on a more accurate assessment of their tumor characteristics.
Advancing Diagnostic Precision in Oncology
The preliminary results from this study highlight the potential of advanced pathology techniques to enhance diagnostic precision in oncology. By providing a more detailed and comprehensive analysis of tumor tissue, 3D pathology may help overcome some of the limitations associated with traditional diagnostic methods.
As cancer treatment continues to move toward more personalized approaches, the accuracy of diagnostic tools becomes increasingly important. Technologies that can better characterize tumor biology and identify relevant biomarkers will play a crucial role in guiding treatment decisions and improving patient outcomes.
The collaboration between JelloX Biotech and the National Taiwan University Hospital represents an important step forward in the ongoing effort to enhance diagnostic precision and expand treatment options for breast cancer patients.
