Activity ID
9693Expires
March 3, 2025Format Type
Journal-basedCME Credit
1Fee
$30CME Provider: JAMA Oncology
Description of CME Course
Importance Amplification of ERBB2 (formerly referred to as HER2) is present in nearly 3% of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer overall and 5% of patients with KRAS and NRAS wild-type tumors. Despite the availability of several ERBB2-targeted therapeutic options for patients with ERBB2-positive breast and gastric/gastroesophageal tumors, to date, there are currently no approved therapies for patients with ERBB2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer, although ERBB2-targeted therapies are recommended in National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Recent evidence indicates that anti-ERBB2 therapeutic strategies are active in patients with ERBB2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer and could potentially represent a new standard-of-care.
Observations The protein ERBB2 is a member of a family of epidermal growth factor receptors that also includes epidermal growth factor receptor (ERBB1), ERBB3, and ERBB4. Amplification of ERBB2 leads to overexpression of the ERBB2 tyrosine kinase receptor, resulting in aberrant signaling and cell migration, growth, adhesion, and differentiation. Colorectal tumors that harbor ERBB2 amplification are more likely to originate on the left side of the colon, are associated with primary and acquired resistance to anti–epidermal growth factor receptor therapies, and have increased incidence of central nervous system metastases. Using immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, next-generation sequencing, and liquid biopsy techniques, several randomized clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy of ERBB2-targeted therapies in patients with ERBB2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer. These therapies include monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, many of which were associated with favorable efficacy and safety profiles when treating patients with ERBB2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer.
Conclusions and Relevance The results of this review suggest the ERBB2 receptor is a promising target for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer; however, to date, no therapies are approved for use in this patient population. Therefore, it is imperative to continue to work to address this unmet need so that patients with ERBB2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer have therapeutic options should they become refractory to treatment with standard therapies.
Disclaimers
1. This activity is accredited by the American Medical Association.
2. This activity is free to AMA members.
ABMS Member Board Approvals by Type
ABMS Lifelong Learning CME Activity
Allergy and Immunology
Anesthesiology
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Family Medicine
Medical Genetics and Genomics
Nuclear Medicine
Ophthalmology
Orthopaedic Surgery
Pathology
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Plastic Surgery
Preventive Medicine
Psychiatry and Neurology
Radiology
Thoracic Surgery
Urology
Commercial Support?
NoNOTE: If a Member Board has not deemed this activity for MOC approval as an accredited CME activity, this activity may count toward an ABMS Member Board’s general CME requirement. Please refer directly to your Member Board’s MOC Part II Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment Program Requirements.
Educational Objectives
To identify the key insights or developments described in this article
Keywords
Cancer Biomarkers, Oncology, Colorectal Cancer, Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Competencies
Medical Knowledge
CME Credit Type
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit
DOI
10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.8196