Receptor Status Changes, HER2-Low Discordance, and TNBC Transformation in Metastatic Breast Cancer: Prognostic Significance and Impact on Survival Outcomes
- 1Department of Medical Oncology Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Yenidogan Mahallesi, Turhan Baytop Street, Talas, Kayseri 38280, Türkiye
- 2Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Yenidogan Mahallesi, Turhan Baytop Street, Talas, Kayseri 38280, Türkiye
- 3Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Yenidogan Mahallesi, Turhan Baytop Street, Talas, Kayseri 38280, Türkiye
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Therapeutic options for metastatic breast cancer vary according to hormone receptor (HR) status, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, and, importantly, the newly recognized HER2-low status. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), characterized by the absence of HR and HER2 receptors, therapeutic approaches and survival rates differ significantly. Current treatments have improved survival rates in metastatic diseases, resulting in an increased demand for secondary biopsies. The findings from these biopsies affect the range of therapeutic options. Methods: The data of 172 patients with metastatic breast cancer were retrospectively analyzed. The initial and subsequent biopsy specimens from these patients were compared. Their effects on survival and prognosis were analyzed statistically. Results: Overall, 12.8% of patients transitioned to triple-negative status. Upon analysis of HER2-low status, 13.4% of patients initially classified as HER2-negative transitioned to HER2-low status. The median overall survival was 26 months (95% CI: 19.1–32.8) in the HR-concordant group and 21 months (95% CI: 14.3–27.6) in the HR-discordant group (p < 0.03). Conclusions: The present study clarifies the rates of HR and HER2 receptor concordance and discordance in metastatic breast cancer. It provides a comprehensive dataset that incorporates all receptors and TNBC transformation. Furthermore, it demonstrates conversion to HER2-low status and examines the implications of TNBC transformation and HR discordance on prognosis and survival.
Related
- Prognostic significance and clinicopathologic prediction of tumor deposits in non-metastatic colon mucinous adenocarcinoma
- Prognostic Significance of CD47 and DHX9 in Metastatic Rectal Cancer
- Integrated CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance and primary-metastatic discordance in hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer: a translational framework focused on invasive ductal carcinoma with gastric metastasis.
- Prevalence and Prognostic Significance of Positron Emission Tomography–Computed Tomography–Defined Low Skeletal Muscle Mass (Radiological Sarcopenia) in Metastatic Breast Cancer
- Diagnostic Discordance in a 46,XX Ovarian Dissecting Gonadoblastoma with Dysgerminoma Transformation and Leydig Cell Tumor: Hyperandrogenism, β-hCG Elevation, and CEUS Findings
BibTeX
@article{cengiz2026receptor,
title = {{Receptor Status Changes, HER2-Low Discordance, and TNBC Transformation in Metastatic Breast Cancer: Prognostic Significance and Impact on Survival Outcomes}},
author = {Ayşe Nuransoy Cengiz and Muhammet Cengiz and Oktay Bozkurt and Gozde Erturk Zararsiz and Aleyna Erakcioglu and Safiye Selcen Vicdanli and Ezgi Yenisekerci Kulak and Ahmet Kursad Disli and Mevlude Inanc and Metin Ozkan},
journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/jcm15207788},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/20/7788},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Receptor Status Changes, HER2-Low Discordance, and TNBC Transformation in Metastatic Breast Cancer: Prognostic Significance and Impact on Survival Outcomes
AU - Ayşe Nuransoy Cengiz
AU - Muhammet Cengiz
AU - Oktay Bozkurt
AU - Gozde Erturk Zararsiz
AU - Aleyna Erakcioglu
AU - Safiye Selcen Vicdanli
AU - Ezgi Yenisekerci Kulak
AU - Ahmet Kursad Disli
AU - Mevlude Inanc
AU - Metin Ozkan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Journal of Clinical Medicine
DO - 10.3390/jcm15207788
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/20/7788
AB - Background/Objectives: Therapeutic options for metastatic breast cancer vary according to hormone receptor (HR) status, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, and, importantly, the newly recognized HER2-low status. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), characterized by the absence of HR and HER2 receptors, therapeutic approaches and survival rates differ significantly. Current treatments have improved survival rates in metastatic diseases, resulting in an increased demand for secondary biopsies. The findings from these biopsies affect the range of therapeutic options. Methods: The data of 172 patients with metastatic breast cancer were retrospectively analyzed. The initial and subsequent biopsy specimens from these patients were compared. Their effects on survival and prognosis were analyzed statistically. Results: Overall, 12.8% of patients transitioned to triple-negative status. Upon analysis of HER2-low status, 13.4% of patients initially classified as HER2-negative transitioned to HER2-low status. The median overall survival was 26 months (95% CI: 19.1–32.8) in the HR-concordant group and 21 months (95% CI: 14.3–27.6) in the HR-discordant group (p < 0.03). Conclusions: The present study clarifies the rates of HR and HER2 receptor concordance and discordance in metastatic breast cancer. It provides a comprehensive dataset that incorporates all receptors and TNBC transformation. Furthermore, it demonstrates conversion to HER2-low status and examines the implications of TNBC transformation and HR discordance on prognosis and survival.
SN - 2077-0383
ER -