HER2 expression and genOmic characterization of rESected brain metastases from colorectal cancer: the HEROES study.

Background: Little is known about prognostic factors of brain metastases (BM) from colorectal cancer (CRC). HER2 amplification/overexpression (HER2+) was previously described; its impact on prognosis remains uncertain.

Methods: In the translational study HEROES, extensive molecular analysis was performed on primary CRC (prCRC) and their matched resected BM by means of NGS comprehensive genomic profiling and HER2 status as assessed by immunohistochemical/ in situ hybridization.

Concordance of microsatellite instability and mismatch repair status in paired biopsies and surgical specimens of resectable gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma: time for a call to action.

Background: Reliability of mismatch repair proteins and microsatellite instability assessment is essential in order to define treatment strategy and identify candidates to immune checkpoint inhibitors in locally advanced gastroesophageal carcinoma. We evaluated the concordance of deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) and microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) status between endoscopic biopsies and surgical specimens.

Methods: Consecutive patients with resectable gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma classified as MSI-H/dMMR by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or immunohistochemistry (IHC) and operated at three referral Institutions were included.

Tumour mutational burden as a biomarker in patients with mismatch repair deficient/microsatellite instability-high metastatic colorectal cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are the standard treatment in patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Tumour mutational burden (TMB) is a promising biomarker for the prediction of treatment outcomes.

Patients And Methods: We screened 203 patients with dMMR/MSI-H mCRC treated with an anti-PD-(L)1 (anti-Programmed-Death-(Ligand)1) plus or minus an anti-Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen 4 (anti-CTLA-4) agent at three Italian Academic Centers.

HER2 in Colorectal Cancer: The Long and Winding Road From Negative Predictive Factor to Positive Actionable Target.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 () is a well-known oncogenic driver in different tumors and an approved therapeutic target in breast and gastroesophageal cancer. In metastatic colorectal cancer, only 3% to 5% of patients present with alterations: somatic mutations and amplifications. was first assessed as a biomarker of resistance to anti- therapy; however, in more recent years, its role as a potential actionable target has emerged.