Dual EGFR/HER2 Blockade Combined With Irinotecan for the Treatment of HER2-Positive Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

In colorectal cancer (CRC), HER2 has emerged as a significant therapeutic target, with clinical studies demonstrating promising yet transient responses to HER2-targeted therapies in HER2-positive (overexpressed/amplified) advanced cases, highlighting the need for improved strategies. Mechanistically, in the 65-75% of CRCs exhibiting EGFR overexpression, HER2 promotes heterodimerization with EGFR, impairing internalization of HER2-targeted ADCs and reducing drug uptake. Preclinical evidence suggests EGFR monoclonal antibodies (cetuximab/panitumumab) may overcome this limitation by inducing EGFR internalization and enhancing HER2-targeted drug efficacy. However, HER2-positive advanced CRC lacks validated predictive biomarkers and thorough translational research. Our study will clinically evaluate trastuzumab plus cetuximab and irinotecan in this population, while performing longitudinal biomarker analyses of paired blood and tumor samples to identify response predictors, elucidate resistance mechanisms, and optimize this promising therapeutic approach.

Inclusion criteria

• Signed and dated informed consent must be obtained voluntarily from the subject prior to performing any study-related procedures (non-routine care), in accordance with regulatory and institutional guidelines.
• 18 to 75 years of age, inclusive.
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum with evidence of distant metastasis.
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1.
• HER2-positive tumor with wild-type KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF genes confirmed by testing at any time prior to screening. HER2 positivity is defined as: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showing HER2 3+ staining in >50% of tumor cells; or HER2 2+ by IHC with positive fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH): HER2/CEP17 ratio ≥2.0 in >50% of tumor cells; or Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of tissue or circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) demonstrating HER2 copy number ≥6.
• Adequate organ function as evidenced by:

Absolute neutrophil count ≥1.5×10^9/L Platelet count ≥75×10^9/L Serum total bilirubin ≤1.5×upper normal limit (UNL) Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤2.5×UNL Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤2.5×UNL Serum creatinine ≤1.5×UNL

• Disease progression after prior treatment with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-based chemotherapy, including: Subjects who received oxaliplatin in the adjuvant setting must have experienced disease progression within 6 months after completing adjuvant therapy.Patients who decline standard therapy due to intolerable toxicity are eligible.
• Presence of at least one measurable lesion per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1.
• Willing and able to comply with the study protocol and visit schedule

Exclusion criteria

• Known KRAS, NRAS, or BRAF mutations detected by ctDNA testing prior to enrollment; or tumors with mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) or high microsatellite instability (MSI-H).
• Concurrent intestinal obstruction, active bleeding, or perforation requiring emergency surgery.
• Major surgery (e.g., laparotomy, thoracotomy, or organ resection via laparoscopy) or significant trauma within 4 weeks prior to study entry (surgical incision must be fully healed before enrollment).
• Active coronary artery disease within 12 months before screening, including severe/unstable angina, newly diagnosed angina, or myocardial infarction.
• History of thrombosis or embolism within 6 months, including cerebrovascular accident (transient ischemic attack included), pulmonary embolism, or deep vein thrombosis.
• Congestive heart failure classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II or higher.
• HIV infection or AIDS; untreated active hepatitis (HBV-DNA ≥500 IU/mL for hepatitis B; detectable HCV-RNA for hepatitis C); or HBV/HCV co-infection.
• Interstitial lung disease, non-infectious pneumonitis, or uncontrolled systemic diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, acute pneumonia).
• Persistent ≥Grade 2 toxicities (per CTCAE v5.0) from prior therapies (excluding peripheral neuropathy, anemia, alopecia, or skin hyperpigmentation).
• Known or suspected hypersensitivity to any study drugs.
• Pregnancy or lactation.