Simple summary

The combination of everolimus and exemestane was FDA approved after BOLERO-2 clinical trial results for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2−) metastatic breast cancer (HR+ mBC), progressing on a prior therapy with a non-steroideal aromatase inhibitor. However, there are no predictive biomarkers
for tumor sensitivity or resistance to everolimus-based treatment. The aim of our retrospective study was to investigate the potential role of FDG-PET SUV (∆SUV%) as a predictive biomarker for a long-term clinical benefit. We found in a homogenous population of 31 patients two precocious ∆SUV% thresholds capable of identifying HR+ HER2-mBC patients achieving long-term benefit or long-term survival (36 month-OS) during everolimus-exemestane therapy. Based on these results, ∆SUV, as PET-based biomarker, provides additional information on which patients are most likely to benefit from everolimus with exemestane-based therapy over a long-term period. FDG-PET is a useful and minimally invasive tool that could be used for making a decision on personal treatment enhancing benefit while reducing collateral effects.

Abstract
Background

Background: The mTORC1 inhibitor everolimus has been approved in combination with the aromatase inhibitor exemestane for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2−) metastatic breast cancer (HR+ mBC) progressing on prior therapy with a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor. To date, no predictive biomarkers of tumor sensitivity/resistance for everolimus-based treatments have been identified.
We hypothesized that precocious changes in the Standardized Uptake Volume (∆SUV%), as assessed by 18F Fluorodeoxyglucosepositron-emission tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT), may be a marker of everolimus efficacy.

Material and methods

This was a retrospective study including 31 HR+ HER2- patients treated with everolimus and exemestane in two Italian centers between 2013 and 2018. The objective of the study was to investigate ∆SUV% as a predictive marker of everolimus antitumor efficacy. 18F-FDG PET/CT scans were performed at baseline and after three months of treatment. Patients were defined as long responders (LRs) if disease progression occurred at least 10 months after treatment initiation and long survivors (LSs) if death occurred later than 36 months after starting therapy. ROC analysis was used to determine the optimal cut-off values of ∆SUV% to distinguish LRs from non-LRs and LSs from non-LSs. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated
by Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

The SUVmax values decreased significantly from baseline to 3 months after therapy (p = 0.003). Dynamic changes of SUVmax (Delta SUV) had a higher accuracy in discriminating long-responders from non-long-responders (AUC = 0.67, Delta SUV cut-off = 28.8%) respects to its ability to identify long survivors from no-long survivors (AUC = 0.60, Delta SUV cut-off = 53.8%). Patients were divided into groups according to the Delta SUV cut-offs and survival outcomes were evaluated: patients with a decrease of ∆SUV% ≥ 28.8% had significantly better PFS (10 months-PFS: 63.2%, 95% CI: 37.9–80.4% and 16.7%, 95% CI: 2.7–41.3% respectively, p = 0.005). As regard as OS, patients with ∆SUV% ≥ 53.8% had longer OS when compared to patients with
∆SUV% < 53.8% (36 month-OS: 82.5% vs. 45.9% vs. p = 0.048).

Conclusions

We found two precocious ∆SUV% thresholds capable of identifying HR+ HER2-mBC patients, which would achieve long-term benefit or long-term survival during everolimus-exemestane therapy. These results warrant further validation in prospective studies and should be integrated with molecular biomarkers related to tumor metabolism and mTORC1 signaling.