Health-related quality of life with palbociclib plus endocrine therapy versus capecitabine in postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer: Patient-reported outcomes in the PEARL study

Conditional progression-free survival in patients with metastatic hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer treated with first-line ribociclib and endocrine therapy: real-world data from the RIBANNA study

BACKGROUND

Progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with metastatic hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer significantly improved with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors as part of first-line treatment. No data is available for these patients on how the risk of progression evolves. Therefore, we analyzed conditional PFS (cPFS), which reflects patient prognosis after initial management, that is, the probability of remaining free from progression in those who have already survived without progression for a given period.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analyzed PFS and cPFS for patients free from progression after 12, 24, and 36 months (reference time points) treated with ribociclib and endocrine therapy (ET) as first-line treatment for advanced HR+, HER2- breast cancer (aBC) within the RIBANNA noninterventional study (NCT06311383). Relevant subgroups with established prognostic factors were additionally examined.

RESULTS

Compared with the median PFS of 35 months (95% confidence interval 32.3-38.4 months) in the overall population, the median cPFS was higher for all reference points: cPFS of 40.5 months (95% confidence interval 35.0-45.5 months) for patients who were progression-free 12 months, cPFS of 53.6 months (95% confidence interval 42.7-not reached months) for 24 months reference point, whereas for the 36 months reference point, the median cPFS was not reached. After patients had reached 2-year disease control, the initial presence of liver metastases or grade 3 disease no longer qualified as poor prognostic factors; internal organ metastases (central nervous system, liver, and lungs) showed a diminishing prognostic impact over time. A short treatment-free interval remained a relevant prognostic factor.

CONCLUSION

For the first time, increasing cPFS was demonstrated in patients treated with ribociclib and ET. Such information is highly relevant and reassuring for patients with HR+, HER2- aBC, and could be used to aid patient counseling and treatment decision-making, including possible de-escalation strategies. It is also a starting point for identifying dynamic prognostic factors related to long-term survival.

Effect of palbociclib plus letrozole on patient-reported health-related quality of life: extended follow-up of the PALOMA-2 trial

BACKGROUND

Metastatic breast cancer (mBC) remains incurable, highlighting the importance of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in treatment decision making. In the randomized phase III PALOMA-2 trial, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was maintained in patients receiving first-line palbociclib plus letrozole compared with placebo plus letrozole after a median follow-up of 22.3 months. However, little is known about HRQoL for patients taking palbociclib for an extended period of time. Here, we report the PRO results from the PALOMA-2 trial after a median follow-up time of 90 months.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Women with estrogen receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (ER+/HER2-) mBC were randomly assigned 2 : 1 to receive palbociclib plus letrozole (n = 444) or placebo plus letrozole (n = 222). HRQoL was assessed with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) and EuroQoL five-dimensions three-level (EQ-5D-3L) questionnaires, administered on site on day 1 of cycles 1, 2, and 3 and then every other cycle from cycle 5 until study end. Treatment arm comparisons were made for change from baseline in QoL and time to deterioration in FACT-B (definitive definition, TTDD).

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 90 months, no significant differences between treatments were observed for overall change from baseline in FACT-B total, FACT-B subscales, and EQ-5D-3L scores. While TTDD did not differ between treatment arms, TTDD was shorter for patients with disease progression versus those without disease progression (hazard ratio 0.644, P < 0.001). Individual items assessing side-effects and hair loss favored the palbociclib plus letrozole arm versus the letrozole arm; no treatment difference was observed for items assessing pain.

CONCLUSIONS

This extended follow-up analysis of PROs in PALOMA-2 shows continued QoL maintenance for patients with ER+/HER2- mBC receiving long-term palbociclib plus letrozole treatment.

Local Control of Advanced Breast Cancer-Debate in Multidisciplinary Tumor Board

Background/Objectives: In Romania, breast cancer is the second most common cancer, the third leading cause of cancer death, and the most prevalent cancer overall. De novo advanced-stage breast cancer often presents in clinical practice, and treatment decisions are best made in a multidisciplinary tumor board (MTD) involving surgeons, radiotherapists, and medical oncologists. Significant advances in systemic therapies, particularly in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), have surpassed traditional palliative mastectomy and radiotherapy for local control. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to emphasize the importance of the initial choice of treatment for patient prognosis. Methods: We expose two cases of patients with de novo severe, advanced-stage, hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer and their management and outcome using cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor and radiotherapy. An extensive review of the literature from the past five years was also conducted. Results: The role of palliative mastectomy is diminishing, as many patients are opting for novel therapies, including cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors, which may improve quality of life. Conclusions: First-line therapy for locally advanced breast cancer has suffered changes due to the implementation of systemic targeted therapy. However, drug resistance-either de novo or acquired-remains a critical consideration. MTD discussions and informed patient decisions are essential to achieving a personalized, evidence-based treatment outcome.

First-line endocrine therapy combined with CDK 4/6 inhibitor in disseminated carcinomatosis of bone marrow (DCBM) luminal breast cancer: a case report

BACKGROUND

Metastatic breast cancer especially in disseminated carcinomatosis of bone marrow (DCBM) poses a life-threatening risk, often requiring systemic chemotherapy. This situation lacks a cure, emphasizing symptom relief and quality of life. The documented occurrence of DCBM is merely 0.17% in metastatic breast cancer and ranges from 0.6 to 1.7% in solid tumors. Until now, there is no official medical guideline for treating patients with luminal breast cancer (LBC) who have DCBM. This case report highlights LBC patient with DCBM, treated at diagnosis with first-line therapy combining endocrine therapy (ET) and a CDK4/6 inhibitor.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 36-year-old premenopausal female of Javanese ethnicity with advanced de novo luminal breast cancer diagnosed in 2020. The immunohistochemistry showed estrogen receptor (ER)+ (90%), progesterone receptor (PR)+ (20%), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) negative, and a high Ki-67 staining result at 60%. The patient had visceral crisis, which involved bone marrow infiltration and liver metastasis with preserved liver function. After intolerance of side effects from first line treatment with tamoxifen, the treatment plan was adjusted to letrozole, ribociclib, and leuprorelin injection. After completing the sixth cycle of treatment, blood parameters in the laboratory were found to have returned to normal. The patient's response to this regimen was remarkable, with significant alleviation of symptoms and improvement in quality of life observed.

CONCLUSION

Notably, the combined approach of ET and CDK4/6 inhibitor represents a novel intervention in managing DCBM in patients with LBC.

Evaluation of CDK4/6 inhibitors in first-line in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of CDK4/6 inhibitors plus endocrine therapy in two groups of patients with HR-positive/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer: those with symptomatic, high tumor burden disease and those with asymptomatic disease.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 193 patients who received either ribociclib or palbociclib in combination with first-line ET. Patients were divided into symptomatic and asymptomatic groups and compared regarding baseline characteristics and progression-free survivals (PFS).

RESULTS

Symptomatic patients had a significantly shorter mPFS than asymptomatic patients (22.7 months vs. 35.0 months, p = 0.009). Among symptomatic patients, those treated with ribociclib had a longer mPFS than those treated with palbociclib (28.26 months vs. 17.18 months, p = 0.021). Multivariate analysis identified the symptomatic disease and liver metastasis as independent predictors of shorter mPFS (HR; 1.835, 95% CI; 1.146-2.939 and HR; 2.433, 95% CI; 1.329-4.454, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our analysis revealed that although symptomatic individuals who underwent CDK4/6 inhibitor plus ET experienced a significant reduction in mPFS durations compared to asymptomatic patients, the 22-month mPFS indicated that CDK4/6 inhibitor plus ET is an effective treatment option.

Multi-stage mechanisms of tumor metastasis and therapeutic strategies

The cascade of metastasis in tumor cells, exhibiting organ-specific tendencies, may occur at numerous phases of the disease and progress under intense evolutionary pressures. Organ-specific metastasis relies on the formation of pre-metastatic niche (PMN), with diverse cell types and complex cell interactions contributing to this concept, adding a new dimension to the traditional metastasis cascade. Prior to metastatic dissemination, as orchestrators of PMN formation, primary tumor-derived extracellular vesicles prepare a fertile microenvironment for the settlement and colonization of circulating tumor cells at distant secondary sites, significantly impacting cancer progression and outcomes. Obviously, solely intervening in cancer metastatic sites passively after macrometastasis is often insufficient. Early prediction of metastasis and holistic, macro-level control represent the future directions in cancer therapy. This review emphasizes the dynamic and intricate systematic alterations that occur as cancer progresses, illustrates the immunological landscape of organ-specific PMN creation, and deepens understanding of treatment modalities pertinent to metastasis, thereby identifying some prognostic and predictive biomarkers favorable to early predict the occurrence of metastasis and design appropriate treatment combinations.

A systematic review of health-related quality of life outcomes in patients with advanced breast cancer treated with palbociclib

Aim: To evaluate the impact of palbociclib treatment on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor 2-negative advanced breast cancer (HR+/HER2- aBC) or metastatic breast cancer (mBC) in both the clinical and real-world setting. Materials & methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to identify clinical trials and real-world evidence studies up to June 2023 that reported HRQoL outcomes in patients with HR+/HER2- aBC or mBC treated with Palbociclib. Results: 15 unique studies reported across 35 records were identified. Of these, seven were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), three were single-arm clinical trials and five were real-world evidence (RWE) studies. HRQoL was generally found to be maintained in patients with HR+/HER2- aBC or mBC across RCTs, single-arm clinical trials and RWE studies. HRQoL measures across instruments, study types and line of therapy, were largely reported to be at least maintained if not improved from baseline among patients treated with palbociclib and were observed to be comparable or better in the palbociclib group versus monotherapy control arm in RCTs. Similar results were seen for treatment-related outcomes (e.g., sexual functioning, upset by hair loss, systemic therapy side effects etc.), and important individual patient outcomes, including pain, fatigue and physical functioning. Findings were also consistent across key clinical characteristics (visceral metastases, neutropenia), as well as patient populations often underrepresented in clinical trials (Asian patients, older adults). Conclusion: Overall, current evidence suggests that HRQoL is largely preserved with the addition of palbociclib to endocrine therapy in patients with HR+/HER2- aBC or mBC across study types and populations.

Palbociclib: Randomized Studies and Real-world Evidence as the Basis for Therapeutic Planning in Metastatic Breast Cancer

Endocrine-based combination therapy with an inhibitor of the cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6 inhibitors) is currently the first-line therapy of choice for patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-), locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (mBC). The efficacy and safety of the treatment with palbociclib, the first CDK4/6 inhibitor approved for this indication, have been confirmed in large randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) with strictly defined patient cohorts. Since then, many relevant questions about CDK4/6 inhibition with palbociclib for mBC have been investigated in RCTs and real-world studies. Based on this evidence, palbociclib is widely used in clinical practice since many years because of its efficacy and good tolerability. The aim of this review is to summarize findings from RCTs and RWE considering clinically relevant aspects such as safety, tolerability, quality of life and efficacy with a focus on specific questions and patient characteristics. A critical discussion and review of the overall evidence for endocrine-based therapy with the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib can contribute to support therapy decisions in daily clinical practice.

Identifying drivers of first-line HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer treatment choices

Aim: Assess factors associated with first-line (1L) treatment for HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer.Materials & methods: A cross-sectional survey of 250 US oncologists was conducted. Correlations were calculated between treatment class and demographics, treatment perceptions and other clinical/nonclinical characteristics.Results: Efficacy and safety/tolerability were critical in oncologists' 1L decision-making. CDK4/6i use positively correlated with proportion of Medicare and postmenopausal patients (r = 0.54-0.67). Chemotherapy use demonstrated positive correlations with perimenopausal and premenopausal patients and symptom burden (r = 0.31-0.42). Aromatase inhibitor (AI) monotherapy correlated positively with anticipated treatment compliance (r = 0.42).Conclusion: Efficacy and safety/tolerability were most important to 1L decision-making. Clinical characteristics corresponded with CDK4/6i and chemotherapy use. Anticipated compliance was associated with AI monotherapy use.

Therapeutic Effects of CDK4/6 Inhibitors in Gastric and Colonic Metastases From Breast Cancer: A Case Report

Breast cancer often metastasizes to the lungs, bones, liver, and brain; however, gastric and colonic metastases from breast cancer are rare. Nevertheless, here, we present the case of a 50-year-old woman diagnosed with recurrent breast cancer, exhibiting gastric and colonic metastases that were detected when she experienced intermittent abdominal pain. The differentiation between primary gastric cancer and metastasis from breast cancer was made through immunohistochemical staining. The patient underwent treatment with palbociclib, a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4/6 inhibitor, and anastrozole, with no significant adverse effects. Subsequent upper and lower endoscopic examinations following the initiation of these treatments revealed tumor shrinkage in both gastric and colonic metastases. This case report presents the first instance in which morphological changes in gastrointestinal metastasis induced by CDK4/6 inhibitors could be evaluated.

Patient-reported outcomes in high-risk HR+ /HER2- early breast cancer patients treated with endocrine therapy with or without palbociclib within the randomized PENELOPEB study

BACKGROUND

The PENELOPEB trial investigating efficacy and safety of additional 1-year post-neoadjuvant palbociclib to standard endocrine therapy (ET) high-risk hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) early breast cancer patients failed to improve invasive disease-free survival (iDFS). This analysis compared patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between treatment groups.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients received 13 cycles of palbociclib 125 mg/day (n = 631) or placebo (n = 619) orally for 3 out of 4 weeks + ET. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), its breast cancer (BR23) and fatigue (FA13) modules, mood questionnaire GAD7 and European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) instruments were used for the assessment of quality of life (QoL). Repeated-measures mixed-effects models were used to evaluate differences in PRO, changes of PRO over time, and treatment-by-time interactions.

RESULTS

924 of 1250 patients (73.9%) completed baseline and at least one post-baseline questionnaire of all PRO instruments. General health status (GHS)/QoL based on EORTC QLQ-C30 was high in both arms (mean [SD]: palbociclib 70.1 [19.3], placebo 71.4 [18.8]) and was slightly higher in the placebo arm (LeastSquare mean difference: 0.82, p < 0.001). Higher fatigue was reported in the palbociclib arm (mean [SD]: 30.3 [23.8] vs. placebo 28.3 [22.7]; p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed among FA13 physical, cognitive, and emotional fatigue subscales.

CONCLUSION

Patient-reported global QoL and fatigue did not substantially change in both treatment arms. Slight differences in GHS, physical functioning, and fatigue favored the placebo arm statistically without achieving clinically meaningful thresholds.

Neurocognitive impairment in females with breast cancer treated with endocrine therapy and CDK4/6 inhibitors: a pharmacovigilance study using the World Health Organization's database

Importance: Endocrine therapies (ETs) and inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases-4/6 (iCDK4/6s) are a standard treatment in breast cancer. However, data on potential neurocognitive impacts remain inconsistent for ET and are scarce for iCDK4/6s. Objective: To evaluate whether ET and iCDK4/6s are associated with neurocognitive impairment (NCI). Methods: We used observational, real-world cases of NCI from the World Health Organization's database VigiBase® to perform disproportionality analysis. Cases were defined as any symptom of NCI in females treated with ETs or iCDK4/6s. The study period was from the date of the first adverse event reported in VigiBase® with iCDK4/6s (1 January 2014) until the date of data extraction (16 March 2022). In our primary analysis, we calculated the reporting odds ratio (ROR) adjusted for age to identify a potential association between NCI and individual ETs in isolation or in combination with iCDK4/6s. We also performed subgroup analyses by the NCI class. Results: We identified 2.582 and 1.943 reports of NCI associated with ETs and iCDK4/6s, respectively. NCI was significantly associated with each ET [anastrozole: n = 405, aROR = 1.52 (95% CI: 1.37-1.67); letrozole: n = 741, aROR = 1.37 (95% CI: 1.27-1.47); exemestane: n = 316, aROR = 1.37 (95% CI: 1.22-1.53); tamoxifen: n = 311, aROR = 1.25 (95% CI: 1.12-1.40); and fulvestrant: n = 319, aROR = 1.19 (95% CI: 1.06-1.33)] and only with palbociclib for iCDK4/6s [n = 1,542, aROR = 1.41 (95% CI: 1.34-1.48)]. Conclusion: These findings suggest that in females treated for breast cancer, all ETs may be associated with NCI. However, amongst iCDK4/6s, NCI may be specific to palbociclib. NCI most frequently involved learning and memory as well as language. Neurocognitive impact of treatments requires better consideration and management.

Quality of life with palbociclib plus fulvestrant versus placebo plus fulvestrant in postmenopausal women with endocrine-sensitive hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative advanced breast cancer: patient-reported outcomes from the FLIPPER trial

Background

In the FLIPPER trial, palbociclib/fulvestrant significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with placebo/fulvestrant in postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer (ABC).

Objective

We assessed health-related quality of life (QoL) using patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

Design and methods

In this phase II double-blinded study, PROs were assessed at baseline after every three cycles and at the end of the treatment using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23. Time to deterioration (TTD) in global health status (GHS)/QoL was defined as a decrease of ⩾10 points. Changes from baseline (CFB) and TTD were analysed using linear mixed-effect and Cox regression models, respectively.

Results

Of the 189 randomised (1:1) patients, 178 (94%) completed ⩾1 post-baseline assessment; 50% received ⩾22 cycles of study treatment, with a questionnaire compliance >90%. Mean baseline scores were comparable between arms. GHS/QoL scores were maintained throughout the palbociclib/fulvestrant treatment. CFB showed significant differences for GHS/QoL, appetite loss, constipation and systemic therapy side effect scores favouring placebo/fulvestrant. TTD in GHS/QoL was delayed in placebo/fulvestrant versus palbociclib/fulvestrant [30.3 versus 11.1 months; adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.57, 95% CI: 1.03-2.39, p = 0.036]; this difference was not significant in patients with progressive disease (aHR: 1.2, 95% CI: 0.6-2.2, p = 0.658). No statistically significant differences in TTD were found for the other QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 scales.

Conclusions

Although TTD in GHS/QoL was prolonged with placebo/fulvestrant, no differences were observed on other functional or symptom scales. This finding and the improvement in PFS support the combination of palbociclib/fulvestrant as a beneficial therapeutic option for HR+/HER2- ABC.

Trial registration number

Sponsor Study Code: GEICAM/2014-12EudraCT Number: 2015-002437-21ClinTrials.gov reference: NCT02690480.

[Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of endocrine resistant hormone receptor positive advanced breast cancer]

HR+ breast cancers are defined by the prominence of signaling pathways dependent on the estrogen receptor. Endocrine therapy is the standard treatment for these advanced diseases. Resistance to these treatments, called hormone resistance, appears invariably with biological mechanisms that have led to the development of therapeutic opportunities. An exhaustive literature review was carried out concerning the biology of the hormone resistance pathways, the therapeutic options before the era of CDK4/6 inhibitors, the rise of CDK4/6 inhibitors and the therapeutic prospects in a situation of hormone resistance. Various biological abnormalities have been identified in the mechanisms of hormone resistance such as changes in the estrogen receptor, mutations in the ESR1 gene, aberrant activation of the PI3K pathway or cell cycle deregulations. Historical strategies for circumventing this hormone resistance have been based on hormonal manipulation, on the development of new endocrine therapy such as fulvestrant (selective estrogen receptor inhibitor, SERD), on combinations of treatments such as everolimus, a mTOR inhibitor. This strategy combining endocrine therapy and targeted therapy has led to the development of combinations with CDK4/6 inhibitors which have now become a standard treatment in the hormone resistance phase. The future of this therapeutic era remains to be written with new combinations of hormone therapy and targeted therapy such as PI3K inhibitors or even with the positioning of new SERDs in clinical development.

Health-related quality of life in breast cancer patients treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Evaluation of health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) among cancer patients has gained an increasing importance and is now a key determinant of anticancer treatments' value. HR-QoL has been assessed in trials testing cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) in breast cancer (BC), using various questionnaires at different timepoints. HR-QoL reports from BC patients treated with CDK4/6i in the real-world setting are also available.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed the literature, searching for full-length articles, and selected conference abstracts reporting data on HR-QoL in BC patients at any stage and of any molecular subtype treated with abemaciclib, palbociclib or ribociclib.

RESULTS

A total of 533 full-length articles and 143 abstracts were retrieved. After screening for eligibility, 38 records were included (31 clinical trials; 7 real-world reports). Assessment methods were heterogeneous across studies in terms of questionnaires, evaluation timepoints and endpoints. Overall, adding CDK4/6i to endocrine therapy did not worsen patients' HR-QoL, with a positive trend towards pain improvement. Gastrointestinal scores (diarrhea, nausea and appetite loss) statistically favored the control arm among metastatic BC patients receiving abemaciclib, whereas they were superimposable in the early setting. The combination of palbociclib and endocrine therapy showed similar HR-QoL outcomes compared with endocrine therapy alone, but determined better scores compared with chemotherapy. HR-QoL was specifically assessed in premenopausal patients treated with ribociclib, showing similar scores compared with postmenopausal patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite methodological heterogeneity does not allow a proper comparison, HR-QoL was generally maintained with CDK4/6i. However, differences between abemaciclib, palbociclib and ribociclib exist and mainly rely on the distinct safety profiles of the compounds. These differences should be acknowledged and taken into account in the clinical practice.

Pre-operative ribociclib plus letrozole versus chemotherapy: Health-related quality of life outcomes from the SOLTI CORALLEEN trial

INTRODUCTION

In the phase II CORALLEEN trial, patients with PAM50 luminal B early breast cancer (EBC) were randomised to neoadjuvant ribociclib plus letrozole (R + L) or chemotherapy based on anthracyclines and taxanes. Results from the primary efficacy analysis showed a similar proportion of patients with response at surgery in both groups. How health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes with R + L compare with chemotherapy in EBC setting is still unknown. Here, we report the results of the HRQoL analysis from the CORALLEEN study.

METHODS

A total of 106 women were randomised 1:1 to receive neoadjuvant R + L (n = 52) or chemotherapy (n = 54). Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using two questionnaires: EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23. Change from baseline in the global health status, functional, and symptom scales was analysed using linear mixed-effect models, and between-treatment differences were estimated along with 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

RESULTS

At baseline, the overall questionnaire available rate was 94.3%, and patient-reported outcomes were similar between treatment groups. At the end of the study treatment (24 weeks), patients receiving R + L showed better global health status scores with a between-treatment difference of 17.7 points (95% CI 9.2-26.2; p-value <0.001). The R + L group also presented numerically better outcomes in all functional and symptom scales. The larger between-treatment differences in symptom severity were found in fatigue (-28.9; 95% CI -38.5 to -19.3), appetite loss (-23; 95% CI -34.9 to -11.2) and systematic therapy side-effects (-11.4; 95% CI -18.3 to -4.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Neoadjuvant R + L was associated with better HRQoL outcomes compared with chemotherapy in patients with luminal B EBC.

REGISTRATION IDENTIFICATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03248427.

How to Treat HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients after CDK4/6 Inhibitors: An Unfinished Story

CDK4/6 inhibitors in association with endocrine therapy represent the best therapeutic choice for either endocrine-sensitive or resistant hormone-receptor-positive advanced breast cancer patients. On the contrary, the optimal therapeutic strategy after the failure of CDK4/6 inhibitors-based treatment still remains an open question worldwide. In this review, we analyze the most studied mechanisms of resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors treatment, as well as the most significant results of retrospective and prospective trials in the setting of progression after CDK4/6 inhibitors, to provide the reader a comprehensive overview from both a preclinical and especially a clinical perspective. In our opinion, an approach based on a deeper knowledge of resistance mechanisms to CDK4/6 inhibitors, but also on a careful analysis of what is done in clinical practice, can lead to a better definition of prospective randomized trials, to implement a personalized sequence approach, based on molecular analyses.

Clonal Evolution in Patients with Hormone Receptor (HR) Positive, HER-2 Negative Breast Cancer Treated with Chemotherapy or CDK4/6 Inhibitors

Introduction Somatic evolution of the cancer genome resulting in genetically different subclones is thought to be involved in the development of treatment resistance but might also offer new therapeutic opportunities in metastatic breast cancer. No data are available if clonal evolution differs in patients treated with chemotherapy or CDK4/6 inhibitors given with endocrine treatment (CE treatment). Methods We performed a prospective analysis of circulating tumor DNA(ctDNA) by targeted next generation sequencing in 46 patients before the beginning of a systemic firstline (n=37) or second-line (n=9) treatment. Ct DNA was analyzed again upon disease progression. Results New mutations in ctDNA of patients with progressive disease were detected in 1/11 patients who started chemotherapy, in 4/9 patients treated with chemotherapy followed by CE maintenance treatment and in 9/26 patients receiving CE therapy. The number of acquired new mutations did not differ significantly between the three therapy cohorts (all p-values >0.05). However, in patients classified as secondary resistant (n=37), occurrence of new mutations significantly differed between patients who started chemotherapy (0/9) compared to patients treated with chemotherapy followed by CE (4/11; p=0.041) and patients receiving CE therapy (8/19; p=0.024), respectively. Conclusion Clonal evolution might differ significantly between metastatic breast cancer patients with HR positive and HER-2 negative disease treated with chemotherapy or CDK4/6 inhibitors. These results should be confirmed in larger patient cohorts.

Effects of Endocrine Therapy on Cognitive Function in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Simple Summary

Many persons diagnosed with breast cancer are treated with endocrine therapy and will experience the side effects of endocrine therapy. Cognitive adverse effects of endocrine therapy are increasingly being recognised, and can significantly affect quality of life, adherence and treatment outcome. This review aims to discuss the nature of cognitive dysfunction associated with endocrine therapy, the mechanisms underpinning its development, and evidence-based management strategies.

Abstract

Endocrine therapy forms the backbone of systemic therapy for the majority of persons with early and late-stage breast cancer. However, the side effects can negatively affect quality of life, and impact treatment adherence and overall oncological outcomes. Adverse effects on cognition are common, underreported and challenging to manage. We aim to describe the nature, incidence, risk factors and underlying mechanisms of endocrine therapy-induced cognitive dysfunction. We conducted a comprehensive literature review of the studies reporting on cognitive dysfunction associated with endocrine therapies for breast cancer. We also summarise prevention and treatment strategies, and ongoing research. Given that patients are taking endocrine therapies for longer durations than ever before, it is essential that these side effects are managed pro-actively within a multi-disciplinary team in order to promote adherence to endocrine therapy and improve patients’ quality of life.