ESMO 2016

Patient-Reported Health Status Is Improved by the Addition of Palbociclib to Fulvestrant Treatment

Using the EQ-5D Health Index during the course of treatment, this study compares patient-reported general health status during treatment with palbociclib (a cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor) plus fulvestrant (a complete estrogen receptor antagonist) compared with during treatment with fulvestrant alone.

Exploring the Relationship Between Progression-Free Survival and Overall Survival in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Fulvestrant or Anastrozole

Progression-free survival (PFS) is often used as a surrogate for overall survival (OS) due to the challenges of measuring OS in relatively short-term trials, and is a practice that has been supported by previous analyses of breast cancer data. This analysis further examines the relationship between PFS and OS in advanced breast cancer.

Improved Sensitivity to Endocrine Therapy Following Treatment with Eribulin Mesylate

Eribulin mesylate is an inhibitor of microtubule dynamics that may play a role in reducing the abnormality of the tumor microenvironment (ie, increasing oxygenation). As hypoxic conditions may contribute to drug resistance, it is hypothesized that eribulin may enhance the efficacy of other therapies. In this study, the effects of eribulin on 2 endocrine therapies were evaluated.

Conversion of Biomarkers Between Primary Breast Cancer Tumor and Relapse May Have Prognostic Value

In a retrospective study of 45 breast cancer patients, the differential expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, and Ki-67 is evaluated in primary and relapsed tumors. The conversion rate of these biomarkers and their prognostic relevance are assessed.

Exploratory Biomarkers in MONARCH 1: A Phase 2 Study of Abemaciclib Monotherapy in HR+/HER2– Metastatic Breast Cancer

In this study, patients with advanced hormone receptor–positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HER2–) breast cancer that have disease progression following antiestrogen therapy are treated with abemaciclib (a selective inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6) as a monotherapy. Exploratory biomarkers identified during this study are presented.

Next-Generation Sequencing Reveals Molecular Subtypes Beyond Those Defined by Hormone Receptor Expression

Breast carcinomas can be classified into 4 subtypes based on their hormone receptor expression: basal, luminal A, luminal B, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 overexpressed. This study uses comprehensive genomic profiling to further stratify tumors by their predicted sensitivity to a variety of therapies.

Claim Data Reveal Treatment and Toxicity Patterns Associated with Everolimus Use

Everolimus, an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin, is approved for use in the United States and European Union in combination with exemestane (an aromatase inhibitor) for the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced estrogen receptor–positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative breast cancer. This retrospective study evaluates the patterns of care and complications associated with this treatment over a 5-year period (2009-2014).

Circulating Tumor Cell Counts May Have Prognostic Value in Determining First-Line Therapy in HR+/HER2– Metastatic Breast Cancer

In patients with hormone receptor–positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HER2–) metastatic breast cancer, the decision to treat first with hormone therapy or chemotherapy can be made at the discretion of the attending oncologist, or by taking into account the number of circulating tumor cells. This phase 3 study compares the outcome of these 2 methods.

Preliminary Safety and Efficacy of TAK-228 plus Exemestane or Fulvestrant in ER+/HER2– Metastatic Breast Cancer

TAK-228 is an investigational, oral, highly selective, ATP-competitive inhibitor of TORC1/2. By mitigating feedback within the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, TAK-228 may restore sensitivity to endocrine therapies in patients who have progressed on such agents in combination with everolimus. This phase 1b/2 study evaluates the safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of TAK-228 in combination with exemestane or fulvestrant.

Fulvestrant 500 mg Is Well-Tolerated and Efficacious in Women with Locally Advanced Breast Cancer

Fulvestrant (a complete estrogen receptor [ER] antagonist) represents an endocrine therapy for patients with ER-positive metastatic breast cancer who have disease progression after treatment with an antiestrogen. This study evaluates the clinical benefit rate of fulvestrant 500 mg monthly, defined as complete response, partial response, or stable disease lasting >24 weeks, in women with locally advanced breast cancer.