New Treatment Offers Hope for Advanced Breast Cancer Patients
Key Takeaways
- Combining capivasertib with fulvestrant improves progression-free survival in advanced breast cancer.
- The treatment is particularly effective for patients with specific genetic mutations.
- This combination therapy has received FDA approval for HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer.
Did You Know?
Introduction
Recent advancements have been made in the treatment of advanced breast cancer, particularly for patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative breast cancer. A combination of capivasertib and fulvestrant has shown promising results in extending the time to disease progression in pretreated patients.
Understanding the Study
The phase 3 CAPItello-291 trial explored the efficacy of adding capivasertib to fulvestrant for patients with advanced HR+/HER2- breast cancer. The trial specifically looked at those who had mutations in the PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN genes and had previously been treated with endocrine-based therapies.
Results of the Trial
The study found that the combination treatment significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS2), meaning the time until the disease progressed again after initial treatment. The median PFS2 for patients receiving the combination treatment was 14.7 months, compared to 12.5 months for those receiving fulvestrant alone.
Even more striking results were observed in patients with PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN alterations. For these patients, median PFS2 was 15.5 months, compared to just 10.8 months for those on fulvestrant alone.
Additional Benefits
Capivasertib plus fulvestrant not only extended PFS2 but also delayed the time to first subsequent chemotherapy (TFSC). This means that patients could avoid the need for additional chemotherapy for a longer period. In the general study population, the median TFSC was 11 months for the combination treatment, compared to 6.8 months for fulvestrant alone.
FDA Approval
In light of these results, the FDA has approved the combination of capivasertib and fulvestrant for treating HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer with specific genetic alterations. This approval is a significant milestone, offering new hope to patients who have progressed despite prior endocrine treatments.
Patient Eligibility and Treatment
Eligible patients included men and pre- or post-menopausal women with advanced HR+/HER2- breast cancer that had recurred or progressed on prior endocrine therapy. The treatment regimen involved capivasertib at 400 mg twice daily on a cyclical basis, combined with fulvestrant at 500 mg on specific days of the treatment cycle.
Clinical Impact
These findings have a significant impact on the treatment landscape for advanced breast cancer. The combination of capivasertib and fulvestrant not only extends the time to disease progression but also delays the need for further chemotherapy, improving the quality of life for patients.
Ongoing Research
Researchers continue to explore the full potential of this treatment combination. Future studies aim to understand its long-term benefits and how it can be integrated into the broader treatment framework for advanced breast cancer.
Conclusion
The combination of capivasertib and fulvestrant represents a promising advancement in the treatment of advanced HR+/HER2- breast cancer. These findings offer new hope and extended survival for patients facing this challenging disease.
