Gene expression markers in peripheral blood and outcomes of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer: analysis of the phase 1-2 GANNET53 trial

There are very few treatment options for patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC), who have a particularly poor prognosis. Secondary analysis of the European GANNET53 trial investigated the association between gene expression markers in peripheral blood and outcomes of PROC patients. In baseline blood samples, expression of ERCC1 was associated with increased risk of progressive disease (HR 1.75; p=0.005), whereas expression of CDH1 (0.66; p=0.024) and ESR1 (0.58; p=0.002) was associated with decreased risk of progressive disease. ERCC1 was observed significantly more often (72.7% versus 53.9%; p=0.032) and ESR1 significantly less often (59.1% versus 78.3; p=0.018) in blood samples taken at radiologically confirmed progressive disease than at controlled disease. At any time during treatment, ERCC1 presence and ESR1 absence were associated with short progression-free survival and higher odds of progressive disease within 6 months (OR 12.27; p<0.001). The authors conclude that these gene expression markers in peripheral blood were associated with outcomes of PROC patients.