Gargi Basu on Alterations in the Cell Cycle Checkpoint Pathway in Breast Cancer

Gargi D. Basu, PhD, senior director of Clinical Curation, Ashion Analytics, discusses a study that examined alterations in the cell cycle checkpoint pathway in patients with breast cancer.

Basu discusses a study that examined several key genetic alterations in cell cycle regulatory proteins in advanced breast cancer patient samples to identify potential targets for cell cycle related treatment options. Results showed that among patients with triple-negative breast cancer, 20% had loss of RB1. These patients also had intact levels of CDKN2A, which means that this cohort would not likely be candidates to receive palbociclib. This aligns with what has been reported in previous studies, Basu says.

Additionally, in HR-positive/HER2-positive patients, 60% were found to have had CCND1 and CCND2 amplification, which demonstrates that this subset may have a higher likelihood of response to palbociclib. Ongoing studies are examining the efficacy of this agent in this patient population, Basu adds.