title: Neuregulin expression in solid tumors: prognostic value and predictive role to anti-HER3 therapies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuregulins (NRG) are a family of epidermal growth factor ligands which act through binding to HER3 and HER4 receptors. NRGs are widely expressed in solid tumors. Their prognostic significance or their role as predictors of benefit from anti-HER3 therapy is not known.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 29 included studies, 7 studies reported the association between NRG and outcome. NRG was most commonly expressed in breast, prostate, colon and bladder cancers. NRG expression was not associated with either OS or PFS (HR: 3.47, 95% CI 0.78-15.47, p = 0.10 and HR: 1.64, 95% CI 0.94-2.86, p = 0.08, respectively). In 4 placebo controlled trials of anti-HER3 therapy, the addition of anti-HER3 antibodies to control therapy in unselected patients was not associated with improved PFS (HR: 0.88, 95% CI 0.75-1.04. p = 0.14). However, in patients with high NRG expression, there was significantly delayed progression (HR: 0.35, 95% CI 0.23-0.52, p < 0.001). Anti-HER3 antibodies were associated with increased risk of diarrhea, nausea and rash.
  
  
  METHODS
  A search of electronically available databases identified studies exploring clinical outcomes based on NRG expression, as well as placebo-controlled trials of HER3-directed therapy reporting results based on NRG expression status. Data were combined in a meta-analysis using generic inverse variance and random effects modeling for studies reporting the hazard ratio (HR) for overall (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS). Mantel-Haenszel random-effect modeling was used for odds ratio (OR) for 3-year and 5-year OS and PFS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NRG expression is not associated with either OS or PFS, but is a predictor of benefit from anti-HER3 antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Translational Research Unit, Albacete University Hospital, Albacete, Spain.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ocaña
authors.affiliation: Translational Research Unit, Albacete University Hospital, Albacete, Spain.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Díez-González
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Center (CIC-IBMCC), CSIC-University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.|IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Azucena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Esparís-Ogando
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Center (CIC-IBMCC), CSIC-University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Montero
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Eitan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Amir
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Center (CIC-IBMCC), CSIC-University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Atanasio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pandiella
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D020880:Neuregulins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011379:Prognosis; D020893:Receptor, ErbB-3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D020880:Neuregulins; C581292:ERBB3 protein, human; D020893:Receptor, ErbB-3
keywords: anti-HER3; neuregulin; predictive role; prognostic value