FORESEE: A prospective feasibility trial of functional precision oncology for metastatic breast cancer patients

Abstract

The FORESEE trial (NCT04450706) was a prospective study to evaluate the feasibility of integrating organoid-based drug testing with comprehensive genomic characterization to inform treatment selection in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. The primary objective of the study was to determine the feasibility of providing personalized therapy recommendations using a combination of genomic vulnerability information with drug testing in patient-derived organoids (PDOs) in a clinically relevant time frame. Of the 15 patients enrolled, 10 cases had biopsies with adequate tumor content, and PDOs were successfully established in 4 of 10 cases. Drug profiling and genomic testing was completed in all established organoids, yielding an overall success rate of 40% in cases of biopsies with adequate tumor content. Drug sensitivity and genomic results were returned within 12 weeks and informed subsequent treatment selection in all evaluable cases. The primary endpoint - demonstrating that PDO-based drug screening combined with genomic characterization would identify clinically actionable outcomes in at least 46% of patients based on prior data - was not met. In conclusion, successful PDO establishment represents a limiting step in the implementation of FPO for metastatic breast cancer; however when PDO were successful, drug responses were always obtained and physicians chose to use the information in 100% of cases. These findings highlight the need for improved strategies optimizing use of patient biopsy material for drug testing in order to fully realize the clinical potential of FPO.