Introduction: The Shifting Landscape of Endometrial Cancer Management
In the evolving field of gynecologic oncology, the management of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive endometrial cancer (EC) has increasingly leaned toward targeted endocrine interventions. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) have become a staple for treating low-grade endometrioid endometrial cancer (LGEC), particularly in advanced or recurrent settings. However, clinical experience often reveals a heterogeneous response to these therapies. In breast cancer research, mutations in the ESR1 gene, which encodes the estrogen receptor alpha, are well-established as a major mechanism of acquired resistance to AIs. These mutations typically emerge under the selective pressure of treatment and are rarely found in treatment-naive patients. The UTOLA phase II GINECO trial has recently provided groundbreaking data suggesting that the landscape of ESR1 mutations in endometrial cancer may differ significantly from that of breast cancer, with profound implications for primary treatment selection.
Study Highlights
- ESR1 mutations are present in approximately 6% of endocrine-treatment-naive advanced endometrial cancer cases overall.
- The prevalence of ESR1 mutations rises to 22% specifically within the metastatic No Specific Molecular Profile (NSMP) low-grade endometrioid EC subgroup.
- These findings suggest that a significant portion of patients may harbor primary resistance to aromatase inhibitors before even starting therapy.
- The presence of ESR1 mutations did not significantly alter survival outcomes following platinum-based chemotherapy, indicating their specific role in endocrine response rather than general chemo-resistance.
Background and Clinical Rationale
Low-grade endometrioid endometrial cancer is characterized by its high expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors. While many patients respond well to hormonal manipulation, a subset remains refractory. The UTOLA trial aimed to address whether the mechanisms of resistance seen in breast cancer—specifically mutations in the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of ESR1—are relevant in endometrial cancer before the administration of hormone therapy. If these mutations are present at diagnosis or prior to AI exposure, they could serve as predictive biomarkers to steer patients away from ineffective AIs and toward alternative agents like selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs).
Study Design and Methodology
The UTOLA trial was a phase II study involving 147 patients with advanced endometrial cancer who had achieved a clinical response (complete or partial) or stable disease following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. The researchers conducted comprehensive molecular profiling on archival tumor tissue using a 127-gene sequencing panel. A critical component of the methodology was the focus on hotspot mutations within the ESR1 ligand-binding domain, including the well-known Y537, L536, and E380 positions.
To ensure the robustness of the findings, the researchers classified the tumors according to the Proactive Molecular Risk Classifier for Endometrial Cancer (PROMISE) criteria into four distinct groups: POLE-mutated (ultramutated), mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), TP53-abnormal (p53abn), and No Specific Molecular Profile (NSMP). Furthermore, the prevalence of ESR1 mutations was validated using an independent cohort of 1,311 tumors from the Genomics England dataset.
Key Findings: Prevalence and Molecular Specificity
Of the 147 patients recruited, 137 provided sufficient tumor material for successful sequencing. The results were revealing: ESR1 mutations (ESR1m) were identified in 8 tumors, representing an overall prevalence of 6%. The specific mutations identified were consistent with those seen in resistant breast cancer: Y537S/C/N (n=4), L536H/P (n=2), and E380Q (n=2). The validation cohort from Genomics England corroborated these findings, showing a 3.5% prevalence across a broader population.
The Significance of the NSMP Subgroup
Perhaps the most clinically relevant finding was the distribution of these mutations. Every single case of ESR1m was found in tumors classified as NSMP and LGEC. When narrowing the focus to patients with metastatic NSMP low-grade endometrioid EC, the prevalence jumped to a striking 22% (8 out of 37 patients). All ESR1m tumors were confirmed to be both ER-positive and PR-positive, which traditionally would have suggested they were ideal candidates for endocrine therapy.
Survival Outcomes and Prognostic Implications
The study also analyzed whether ESR1 status influenced the prognosis of patients following their initial chemotherapy. The median survival for patients with ESR1-wild type tumors was 25.3 months, whereas the median survival for those with ESR1m tumors had not yet been reached at the time of analysis (p=0.114). While not statistically significant, this suggests that ESR1 mutations do not necessarily confer a worse overall prognosis in the context of chemotherapy but instead function as specific determinants of the endocrine axis.
Expert Commentary and Mechanistic Insights
The presence of ESR1 mutations in treatment-naive patients suggests a biological divergence between endometrial and breast cancers. In breast cancer, these mutations are largely considered an adaptive response to estrogen deprivation. In endometrial cancer, specifically the NSMP subgroup, these mutations appear to be primary drivers or early clonal events. Mechanistically, mutations like Y537S result in a constitutively active estrogen receptor that remains in an ‘on’ state even in the absence of ligand (estrogen). This explains why aromatase inhibitors, which work by reducing systemic estrogen levels, would be ineffective against these mutated receptors.
Clinicians must now consider the implications of these findings for trial design. Future studies evaluating aromatase inhibitors in endometrial cancer should ideally include ESR1 status as a stratification factor. For the 22% of metastatic NSMP LGEC patients who harbor these mutations, frontline use of next-generation SERDs or other targeted agents might be more appropriate than traditional AIs.
Conclusion and Future Directions
The UTOLA phase II GINECO trial provides a vital update to our understanding of the molecular landscape of endometrial cancer. While ESR1 mutations are rare in the general EC population, they are surprisingly prevalent in the specific subgroup most likely to receive endocrine therapy. This study underscores the necessity of molecular profiling in advanced EC to move beyond ‘one-size-fits-all’ hormonal treatments. As we transition toward more personalized gynecologic oncology, ESR1 testing may soon become a standard component of the diagnostic workup for metastatic NSMP low-grade endometrioid endometrial cancer.
Funding and ClinicalTrials.gov
The UTOLA trial was supported by the GINECO group and various research grants. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02741284.
References
Blanc-Durand F, Genestie C, Nikolaev S, et al. ESR1 mutation in Endocrine treatment naive Endometrial Cancer: Prevalence, Characteristics and Prognostic Implications, results from the UTOLA phase II GINECO trial. Clin Cancer Res. 2026 Jan 8. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-25-2758. PMID: 41504649.
