Endocrine response assessment in HR-positive HER2-negative early breast cancer: concordance of local versus central Ki67 measurements in the WSG ADAPTcycle trial (n = 5292)

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • M. Hamann - , Red Cross Hospital Munich (Author)
  • M. Christgen - , Hannover Medical School (MHH) (Author)
  • O. Gluz - , WSG - West German Study Group, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Bethesda Moenchengladbach, University of Cologne (Author)
  • U. Nitz - , WSG - West German Study Group, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Bethesda Moenchengladbach (Author)
  • S. Kuemmel - , WSG - West German Study Group, University of Duisburg-Essen, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Author)
  • M. Braun - , Red Cross Hospital Munich (Author)
  • M. Thill - , Agaplesion Markus Hospital Frankfurt (Author)
  • R. Wuerstlein - , WSG - West German Study Group, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Author)
  • P. Wimberger - , Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • A. Hartkopf - , University Hospital Tübingen (Author)
  • C. Schem - , Jerusalem Hospital (Author)
  • M. Zaiss - , Practice for Interdisciplinary Oncology & Hematology GbR (Author)
  • V. Bjelic-Radisic - , Helios Hospital Group (Author)
  • M. Just - , Central Hospital Bielefeld (Author)
  • K. Veselinovic - , Ulm University (Author)
  • M. Vincent - , Cologne City Clinics (Author)
  • M. Graeser - , WSG - West German Study Group, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Bethesda Moenchengladbach, Witten/Herdecke University (Author)
  • K. Krauss - , WSG - West German Study Group (Author)
  • O. Hoffmann - , University of Duisburg-Essen (Author)
  • K. Lüdtke-Heckenkamp - , Niels-Stensen-Kliniken Marienhospital Osnabrück (Author)
  • R. E. Kates - , WSG - West German Study Group (Author)
  • C. zu Eulenburg - , WSG - West German Study Group, University of Hamburg (Author)
  • K. Jóźwiak - , Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (Author)
  • S. Burmeister - , Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (Author)
  • M. Hauptmann - , Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (Author)
  • F. Baehner - , Exact Sciences Corp. (Author)
  • P. Schmid - , Queen Mary University of London (Author)
  • H. H. Kreipe - , Hannover Medical School (MHH) (Author)
  • N. Harbeck - , WSG - West German Study Group, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Author)

Abstract

Background: Low post-endocrine Ki67 (Ki67post) as a marker for endocrine therapy response (ETR) has been shown to be a favorable prognostic factor in hormone receptor (HR)-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative early breast cancer (EBC). So far, all studies have used centralized immunohistochemical measurements. In order to assess the robustness of this marker for clinical routine, we have now compared local and central Ki67 measurements in the WSG ADAPTcycle trial. Patients and methods: In the WSG ADAPTcycle trial (n = 5292 screened, 1684 randomized; 85 sites in Germany), patients with intermediate-risk EBC based on Oncotype DX and ETR were randomized to (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy followed by endocrine therapy (ET) versus ribociclib + aromatase inhibitor (AI) (premenopausal: + gonadotropin-releasing hormone). Concordance of local and central Ki67 [baseline (BL), post-ET] was evaluated in the whole trial cohort and in different subgroups. Results: Median BL Ki67 values were 25% locally (n = 4972) and centrally (n = 4903). Overall agreement (OA) for Ki67 >10% versus ≤10% was 86.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 85.9% to 87.9%]. After short preoperative ET, median local (n = 2786) and central (n = 4429) Ki67post were 5% and 10%, respectively. ETR (Ki67post ≤10%) was observed in 1663 patients (64.2%) centrally versus 1571 (60.7%) locally with an OA of 80.5% (95% CI 79% to 82.1%). While overall, among local ET responders, 206 (13.1%) were central non-responders, >90% concordance was seen in AI-treated patients. Conclusions: When comparing central and local Ki67 assessments in the large multicenter randomized WSG ADAPTcycle trial, we observed similar rates of ET responders. The agreement between local and central Ki67 assessments at BL and post-endocrine treatment was high, but not yet optimal, with the highest concordance observed in AI-treated patients. Incorporating ETR into daily clinical practice together with multigene assays (as used in WSG ADAPT and ADAPTcycle) needs to be supported by clinicopathological markers for therapy decision making and accompanied by quality assurance programs for Ki67 determination.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number105552
JournalESMO open
Volume10
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 40815984

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • early breast cancer, endocrine response, endocrine therapy, Ki67, WSG ADAPTcycle trial