Dr. O'Regan on Prognostic Value of pCR in HER2+ Breast Cancer

Ruth O’Regan, MD, professor, division head, Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, associate director, Clinical Research, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, discusses the prognostic value of pathologic complete response (pCR) in HER2-positive breast cancer.

Achieving a pCR to neoadjuvant therapy is associated with a favorable prognosis in this patient population as compared with those who have residual disease, says O’Regan.

Notably, hormone receptor status appears to influence this prognostic value. For example, patients with HER2-positive, estrogen receptor­ (ER)—negative disease appear to derive a stronger benefit from achieving pCR as opposed to patients with HER2-positive, ER-positive disease, explains O’Regan.

In general, the proportion of patients who achieve a pCR is lower in those with HER2-positive, ER-positive disease; therefore, it may be beneficial that pCR holds more prognostic value in HER2-positive, ER-negative cancer, O’Regan concludes.