Caris Life Sciences has published groundbreaking real-world evidence comparing the effectiveness and optimal sequencing of two leading antibody-drug conjugates in HER2-negative breast cancer patients. The study, published in Breast Cancer Research, analyzed data from over 4,000 patients to provide clinically actionable insights for treatment selection in the absence of head-to-head clinical trials.
Key Findings Reveal Subtype-Specific Treatment Benefits
The comprehensive analysis revealed distinct patterns of efficacy based on tumor characteristics. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) demonstrated superior performance in patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive tumors, enabling patients to stay on treatment longer compared to those receiving sacituzumab govitecan (SG) across all HER2-negative groups.
However, the study identified a different optimal approach for patients with HR-negative and HER2-null tumors, where sacituzumab govitecan showed better results when used as first-line treatment. For other patient groups, the research found no clear advantage to initiating treatment with one drug over the other.
Addressing Critical Evidence Gap in Breast Cancer Treatment
"With the industry absence of head-to-head trials between the two most commonly used ADCs in breast cancer, real-world evidence remains our best tool to explore key questions around treatment scheduling and comparative effectiveness in similar patient populations," said George W. Sledge, Jr., MD, Caris EVP and Chief Medical Officer.
The study's findings are particularly significant for triple-negative breast cancer patients, where both T-DXd and SG provided comparable benefits. This observation underscores the critical need for personalized treatment strategies based on specific tumor subtypes rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Leveraging AI and Real-World Data for Precision Medicine
Caris utilized its extensive real-world database to uncover key differences that have the potential to assist clinicians in choosing optimal treatment options to improve patient care. The company's approach combines comprehensive molecular profiling through Whole Exome and Whole Transcriptome Sequencing with advanced AI and machine learning algorithms.
"This study highlights the power of Caris to turn vast, real-world data into clinically actionable insights," said David Spetzler, MS, PhD, MBA, President of Caris. "Caris is leading the charge in precision medicine by combining advanced AI and vast real-world data to illuminate paths toward more personalized care. It's not just innovation; it's a reimagining of how science meets treatment."
Clinical Implications for Treatment Decision-Making
The research provides crucial guidance for oncologists navigating treatment decisions in HER2-negative breast cancer, where the choice between available antibody-drug conjugates has lacked robust comparative data. The study's large patient cohort and real-world setting offer valuable insights into treatment effectiveness across different breast cancer subtypes.
The findings suggest that treatment selection should be guided by specific tumor characteristics, with hormone receptor status and HER2 expression levels serving as key determinants for optimal ADC sequencing. This personalized approach could potentially improve patient outcomes by matching the most effective treatment to individual tumor biology.
