Duration of adjuvant trastuzumab in HER2 positive breast cancer: Overall and disease free survival results from meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundOne year of trastuzumab, chosen empirically, improves survival of women with early-stage, HER2-positive breast cancer but also adds substantially to cost, toxicity, and inconvenience. Longer treatment does not improve outcomes, but potentiates toxicities.MethodsMedline, Embase, and major conference proceedings were searched systematically in June 2017 to identify Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) comparing one year versus shorter durations of trastuzumab in adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. Reported Hazard-Ratios (HR) for Overall Survival (OS) and Disease-Free Survival (DFS), and Odds-Ratio for cardiac events, with respective 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) from each study was weighted using generic inverse-variance, and pooled in a meta-analysis. Inter-study heterogeneity and sub-group difference (based on hormone-receptors and node-positivity) were assessed using I², and chi² statistics, respectively.ResultsFour studies (n = 7614) satisfied inclusion criteria. Individual RCTs had diverse pre-specified upper-limits of 95% CI for declaring non-inferiority (range: <1.15 to <1.53). Pooled results demonstrated significant improvements in OS (HR 1.28, p = 0.04), and DFS (HR 1.24, p = 0.005) with 1 year of trastuzumab compared to shorter durations. Absence of multiplicity argument allowed for declaring superiority of 1 year of trastuzumab based on our results despite non-inferiority designs of individual trials. No influence on overall effect by duration of trastuzumab in experimental arm (9 weeks versus 6 months) was noted. No statistical interaction by hormone-receptor status and node-positivity on overall results was noticed [p(sub-group difference) 0.73, and 0.52, respectively]. Odds-Ratio for cardiac events was 2.65 (p < 0.001) favoring shorter duration.ConclusionOne year of trastuzumab prolongs overall, and disease-free survivals in women with early-stage HER2 positive breast cancer compared to shorter durations and this should remain as the standard of care. Cardiotoxicity increased significantly with the 1-year treatment.     

Long-term outcome of the REMAGUS 02 trial,a multicenter randomised phase II trial in locally advanced breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without celecoxib or trastuzumab according to HER2 status

BackgroundThe REMAGUS-02 multicenter randomised phase II trial showed that the addition to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) of trastuzumab in patients with localised HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) increased the pathological complete response (pCR) rate and that the addition of celecoxib in HER2-negative cases did not increase the pCR rate. We report here the long-term follow-up results for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).Patients and methodsFrom 2004 to 2007, 340 stage II–III BC patients were randomly assigned to receive neoadjuvant EC-T (four cycles of epirubicin–cyclophosphamide followed by four cycles of docetaxel) +/− celecoxib in HER2-negative cases (n = 220) and ± trastuzumab in HER2-positive cases (n = 120). From September 2005, all patients with HER2-positive BC received adjuvant T (n = 106).ResultsMedian follow-up was nearly 8 years (94.4 months, 20–127 m). In the HER2-negative subgroup, addition of celecoxib was not associated with a DFS benefit. Favourable factors were smaller tumour size, expression of progesterone receptor status (PgR) and pCR. In the HER2-positive population, neoadjuvant trastuzumab was not associated with a DFS benefit. Axillary pCR was the only prognostic factor associated with DFS in this group [HR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.2–0.97], p = 0.035]. To note, DFS and OS were significantly higher in the HER2-positive than in HER2-negative BC patients (HR = 0.58 [0.36–0.92], p = 0.021).ConclusionCelecoxib combined with NAC provided neither pCR nor survival benefit in patients with HER2-negative BC. Absence of PgR is a major prognostic factor. Neoadjuvant trastuzumab increased pCR rates without translation into a DFS or OS benefit compared with adjuvant trastuzumab only. Axillary pCR could be a more relevant surrogate of survival than in the breast in HER2-positive population. A retrospective comparison shows that patients with HER2-positive tumours have a better outcome than HER2-negative BC patients showing the impact of trastuzumab on the natural history of BC.     

Patients' preference of trastuzumab administration (subcutaneous versus intravenous) in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: Results of the randomised MetaspHer study

HannaH (NCT00950300) and PrefHer (NCT01401166) studies validated the subcutaneous (H-s.c.) formulation of trastuzumab as effective and safe as intravenous (H-i.v.) and highly preferred by patients in early breast cancer. The present randomised MetaspHer trial (NCT01810393) is the first study assessing patient's preference in metastatic setting.MethodsPatients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who completed a first line chemotherapy with trastuzumab and achieved a long-term response lasting more than 3 years were randomised to receive 3 cycles of 600-mg fixed-dose adjuvant H-s.c., followed by 3 cycles of standard H-i.v., or the reverse sequence. Primary end-point was overall preference for H-s.c. or H-i.v. at cycle six, assessed by Patient Preference Questionnaire (PPQ). Secondary end-points included healthcare professional (HCP) satisfaction; safety and tolerability; quality of life.ResultsHundred and thirteen patients were randomised and treated. H-s.c. was preferred by 79/92 evaluable intent-to-treat patients (85.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI; 78.8–93.0]; p < 0.001), 13/92 preferred H-i.v. (14.1%, 95% CI [7.0–21.3]). HCPs were most satisfied with H-s.c. (56/88 available data, 63.6%, [53.6–73.7]). On the safety population, adverse events occurred in 73 (67.6%) and 49 (44.1%) patients during the H-s.c. and H-i.v. periods, respectively; 7 (6.5%) and 4 (3.6%) were grade ≥ III, 3 (2.8%) and 2 (1.8%) were serious.ConclusionThe safety was consistent with the known H-i.v. and H-s.c. profiles without safety concern raised. Definitively, patients preferred H-s.c. as reported in early stage by PrefHer study.     

曲妥珠单抗、卡铂及多西他赛联合治疗乳腺癌的疗效及安全性评价

目的 探讨曲妥珠单抗、卡铂及多西他赛联合治疗HER-2阳性乳腺癌的疗效及安全性.方法 选取收治的90例HER-2阳性乳腺癌患者为研究对象,按随机分组法将所有患者分为观察组和对照组,每组各45例.对照组采用多西他赛联合卡铂治疗,观察组采用曲妥珠单抗、卡铂及多西他赛联合治疗.比较两组患者临床疗效及不良反应发生率.结果 观察组临床总有效率(73.3%)显著高于对照组(51.1%)(P<0.05).观察组的病理疗效(62.2%)显著高于对照组(40.0%)(P<0.05).两组患者的贫血、骨髓抑制、恶心呕吐及肝功能损害等不良反应发生率无统计学意义(P>0.05).治疗后,观察组的HMGI-C阳性率和CRP水平显著低于对照组(P<0.05).结论 曲妥珠单抗、卡铂及多西他赛联合治疗HER-2阳性乳腺癌的疗效显著,可有效降低HMGI-C阳性率和CRP水平,值得在临床推广.     

Patients with HER2-positive Early Breast Cancer Receiving Adjuvant Trastuzumab: Clinicopathological Features,Efficacy, and Factors Affecting Survival

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinicopathological characteristics of our early stagebreast cancer patients who are epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpressed/ amplified (HER2+),the efficacy of trastuzumab treatment and survival results. Materials and Methods: Patients with HER2- positiveearly stage breast cancer receiving adjuvant trastuzumab were investigated retrospectively. Clinicopathologicalfeatures of 210 patients and treatment outcome were analysed. To evaluate survival rates, the Kaplan-Meiermethod was used. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted with the Cox regression model. Results:Mean age of the patients was 51.8, 71.9% being postmenopausal. Some 37.6% of patients were node negative,and 31% had T1 tumor size and 52.4% were positive for estrogen receptor. Of 210 patients, 89.5% completedplanned 52 weeks adjuvant trastuzumab treatment. The median follow up was 27.5 months (6.0-86.0 ). Relapsefree survival (RFS) was 68.0 months (95% CI: 62.1-74.0) and overall survival (OS) was 74.8 months (95%CI: 69.5-80.1). The 3 year OS for all patients was 92.0% and RFS was 79.6%. During follow up, relapse wasdetected at the rate of 14.3%. Trastuzumab associated cardiotoxicity was found at the rate of 3.3%. In univariateanalyses, larger tumor size and grade III were significantly associated (p<0.05) with RFS. Multivariate analysesof covariates displaying p<0.05 identified grade III as an independent prognostic factor. Conclusions: In thepresent study, it was established that trastuzumab had a satisfactory safety profile and treatment efficacy as inother clinical studies and that among clinicopathological factors evaluated, only being grade 3 had a significanteffect on RFS. The occurrence of relapse with adjuvant trastuzumab makes it necessary to identify molecularpredictors, which will define this group better and help explain resistance to anti HER2 based therapies.     

Trastuzumab-DM1 is highly effective in preclinical models of HER2-positive gastric cancer

Background

A novel antibody–drug conjugate (trastuzumab-DM1, T-DM1) is currently in clinical trials for patients with trastuzumab resistant HER2-positive breast cancer. Since no clinical data is available from gastric cancer, we studied T-DM1 on HER2-positive human gastric cancer cells and xenograft tumors.

Methods

Effects of T-DM1 were studied in four HER2-positive gastric cancer cell lines (N-87, OE-19, SNU-216 and MKN-7) in vitro. Xenograft tumors from N-87 and OE-19 were studied to determine the effect of T-DM1 in vivo.

Results

T-DM1 was found more effective than trastuzumab in N-87 and OE-19, and moderately effective in MKN-7 cells. On SNU-216 cells both trastuzumab and T-DM1 showed limited efficacy. In xenograft tumor experiments, complete pathological response was observed in all OE-19 xenografted mice and in half of the N-87 xenografted mice. The results were equally good irrespective of the tumor burden at therapy initiation, or preceding trastuzumab treatment. T-DM1 treatment showed direct effects (apoptotic cell death and aberrant mitosis) as well as it mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxcity (ADCC).

Conclusions

T-DM1 showed a promising anti-tumor effect in HER2-positive gastric cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo, even in tumors which had developed resistance to trastuzumab. T-DM1 therapy may warrant clinical trials for HER2-positive gastric cancer patients.     

Advances in first-line treatment for patients with HER-2+ metastatic breast cancer

Background.

The prognosis for breast cancer patients overexpressing human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2 has changed with anti–HER-2–targeted therapy. Although anti–HER-2 therapy with trastuzumab and chemotherapy is the standard first-line treatment, the best therapeutic regimen has yet to be defined, and new strategies are evolving.

Methods.

A literature review of well-established and recently published trials, reviews, and ongoing clinical trials addressing first-line treatment for HER-2⁺ metastatic breast cancer patients was performed.

Results.

Taxanes are the agents most commonly used in combination with trastuzumab, but other chemotherapy drugs, such as anthracyclines, vinorelbine, and gemcitabine and triple-combination therapies including platinum compounds, capecitabine, and taxanes have been studied. The combination of aromatase inhibitors with anti–HER-2 therapies is a new therapeutic option for some patients who coexpress HER-2 and hormone receptors, although its activity observed in randomized clinical trials seems to be inferior to that of chemotherapy plus anti–HER-2 therapies. In addition, new anti–HER-2 therapies have shown activity in HER-2⁺ tumors, both alone and in combination with trastuzumab.

Conclusions.

Trastuzumab plus chemotherapy is the current standard of care for the upfront treatment of HER-2⁺ breast cancer patients, though other anti–HER-2–targeting agents may appear as new standards in the upcoming years.     

曲妥珠单抗原发耐药与继发耐药的研究进展

“曲妥珠单抗耐药”概念于2001年基于细胞系和动物模型的实验研究被首次提出,此后众多研究从不同的角度探索曲妥珠单抗耐药的分子机制。目前若干曲妥珠单抗耐药机制的研究已经单独针对原发耐药或继发耐药机制进行,本文对其研究结果进行综述。原发耐药与继发耐药机制的差异提示我们,在曲妥珠单抗治疗中应该根据不同的临床耐药患者亚群给予相应的临床治疗策略。     

曲妥珠单抗治疗141例人表皮生长因子受体2阳性乳腺癌的回顾性分析

目的 总结曲妥珠单抗在人表皮生长因子受体2(Her-2)阳性乳腺癌患者新辅助、辅助和复发转移治疗中的临床应用经验,评价其与化疗联用的疗效.方法 对2004年1月至2008年12月门诊应用曲妥珠单抗治疗的141乳腺癌患者进行回顾性分析.随访时间为3～319个月.分析患者的无病生存时间(DFS),比较患者辅助、复发转移一线及二线使用曲妥珠单抗治疗的总生存时间(OS)、治疗失败时间(TTF)和临床有效率的差异.结果 与曲妥珠单抗治疗联用的新辅助化疗中,紫杉醇联合卡铂方案占66.7%;辅助治疗中,蒽环类和蒽环类序贯紫杉类方案占53.9%.复发转移的患者治疗后中位DFS为17个月.复发转移的患者经一线曲妥珠单抗联合化疗治疗后,临床总有效 率为84.5%,中位TTF为24个月;二线治疗有效率为44.4%,中位TTF为5个月.两者比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0.002).结论 紫杉醇和卡铂化疗联合曲妥珠单抗,值得在新辅助治疗中推广,紫杉类和蒽环类联合或序贯靶向治疗仍是辅助治疗的标准方案.转移性乳腺癌一线应用曲妥珠单抗联合化疗比二线治疗的临床有效率更高,在继续应用曲妥珠单抗的基础上改用化疗方案,可提高治疗有效率,减少治疗失败的概率.     

Optimal sequence of implied modalities in the adjuvant setting of breast cancer treatment: an update on issues to consider

The adjuvant setting of early breast cancer treatment is an evolving field where different modalities must be combined to improve outcomes; moreover, quality of life of breast cancer survivors emerges as a new important parameter to consider, thus implying a better understanding of toxicities of these modalities. We have conducted a review focusing on the latest literature of the past 3 years, trying to evaluate the existing data on the maximum acceptable delay of radiotherapy when given as sole adjuvant treatment after surgery and the optimal sequence of all these modalities with respect to each other. It becomes evident radiotherapy should be given as soon as possible and within a time frame of 6-20 weeks. Chemotherapy is given before radiotherapy and hormone therapy. However, radiotherapy should be started within 7 months after surgery in these cases. Hormone therapy with tamoxifen might be given safely concomitantly or sequentially with radiotherapy although solid data are still lacking. The concurrent administration of letrozole and radiotherapy seems to be safe, whereas data on trastuzumab can imply only that it is safe to use concurrently with radiotherapy. Randomized comparisons of hormone therapy and trastuzumab administration with radiotherapy need to be performed.