In colorectal cancer (CRC), HER2 has emerged as a critically targeted biomarker in recent years. Although multiple clinical trials have demonstrated the potential of HER2-targeted therapies in HER2-positive (overexpressed/amplified) metastatic CRC (mCRC), the duration of treatment response remains short with rapid disease progression. This underscores the urgent need to develop novel therapeutic strategies for HER2-positive mCRC. The EGFR pathway is constitutively activated in CRC and mediates resistance to HER2-targeted therapies through the formation of EGFR-HER2 heterodimers. Notably, EGFR-targeting antibodies combined with irinotecan can reverse irinotecan chemoresistance. Building upon these mechanisms, this study proposes to evaluate the combination of trastuzumab (anti-HER2), cetuximab beta (anti-EGFR), and irinotecan in chemotherapy-refractory HER2-positive mCRC.
In colorectal cancer (CRC), HER2 has emerged as a significant therapeutic target, with clinical studies demonstrating promising yet transient responses to HER2-targeted therapies in HER2-positive (overexpressed/amplified) advanced cases, highlighting the need for improved strategies. Mechanistically, in the 65-75% of CRCs exhibiting EGFR overexpression, HER2 promotes heterodimerization with EGFR, impairing internalization of HER2-targeted ADCs and reducing drug uptake. Preclinical evidence suggests EGFR monoclonal antibodies (cetuximab/panitumumab) may overcome this limitation by inducing EGFR internalization and enhancing HER2-targeted drug efficacy. However, HER2-positive advanced CRC lacks validated predictive biomarkers and thorough translational research. Our study will clinically evaluate trastuzumab plus cetuximab and irinotecan in this population, while performing longitudinal biomarker analyses of paired blood and tumor samples to identify response predictors, elucidate resistance mechanisms, and optimize this promising therapeutic approach.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
34
Trastuzumab 4 mg/kg , Cetuximab β: 500 mg/m² ,Irinotecan 180 mg/m², repeat once every 2 weeks
The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University
Guangzhou, China
6-month progression-free-survival rates
Progression-free survival defined as the time from randomization to documented disease progression according to RECIST or death from any cause. We computed the 6-month PFS rate based on the available follow-up data.
Time frame: 2 years
Objective response rate
defined as the percentage of patients with complete or partial response according to RECIST
Time frame: 2 years
Disease control rate
defined as the percentage of patients with CR + PR + SD according to RECIST
Time frame: 2 years
overall survival
defined as the time from randomization to death from any cause
Time frame: 3 years
Incidence of participants with treatment-related adverse events as assessed by CTCAE v5.0
Percentage of patients, experiencing a specific adverse event, according to National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (version 5.0), during the induction and the maintenance phases of treatment.
Time frame: 3 years
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