Study of three-weekly docetaxel and weekly trastuzumab treatment in HER 2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer patients

Docetaxel and trastuzumab can be considered to be active drugs for HER 2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This study was conducted to determine the activity of combination therapy with docetaxel and trastuzumab in MBC patients (pts) by assessing the response rate (RR), time to progression (TTP) and safety. We administered the combination of docetaxel 70 mg/m2 every 3 weeks and trastuzumab using a 4 mg/kg loading dose and thereafter 2 mg/kg weekly. One cycle was three weeks. Between March 2002 and May 2003, 40 pts with HER 2-positive (3+by immunohistochemistry 39, FISH+1) MBC were enrolled in this study, and 39 pts proved eligible. The overall RR was 72% (28/39) [95%CI 55.1%-85.0%], with 6 CR, 22 PR, 7 SD, 1 PD and 3 NE. The median follow-up time was 14.3 months, while the TTP was 6.5 months (range, 0.6-19.8), median OS has not yet been reached. The number of pts assessable for safety was 40. Hematological Grade 3-4 toxicities were leukopenia 87.5% (35/40) and neutropenia 82.5% (33/40). Non-hematological Grade 3 toxicities were weight gain in 2 pts, and anorexia, neuropathy, fever and rash in one pt each. The combination of docetaxel and trastuzumab was a well-tolerated and very active regimen for the treatment of pts with HER 2-overexpressing MBC.     

Randomized phase II trial of the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab combined with docetaxel in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive metastatic breast cancer administered as first-line treatment: the M77001 study group.

PURPOSE: This randomized, multicenter trial compared first-line trastuzumab plus docetaxel versus docetaxel alone in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) -positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to six cycles of docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, with or without trastuzumab 4 mg/kg loading dose followed by 2 mg/kg weekly until disease progression. RESULTS: A total of 186 patients received at least one dose of the study drug. Trastuzumab plus docetaxel was significantly superior to docetaxel alone in terms of overall response rate (61% v 34%; P = .0002), overall survival (median, 31.2 v 22.7 months; P = .0325), time to disease progression (median, 11.7 v 6.1 months; P = .0001), time to treatment failure (median, 9.8 v 5.3 months; P = .0001), and duration of response (median, 11.7 v 5.7 months; P = .009). There was little difference in the number and severity of adverse events between the arms. Grade 3 to 4 neutropenia was seen more commonly with the combination (32%) than with docetaxel alone (22%), and there was a slightly higher incidence of febrile neutropenia in the combination arm (23% v 17%). One patient in the combination arm experienced symptomatic heart failure (1%). Another patient experienced symptomatic heart failure 5 months after discontinuation of trastuzumab because of disease progression, while being treated with an investigational anthracycline for 4 months. CONCLUSION: Trastuzumab combined with docetaxel is superior to docetaxel alone as first-line treatment of patients with HER2-positive MBC in terms of overall survival, response rate, response duration, time to progression, and time to treatment failure, with little additional toxicity.     

SWOG S0215: a phase II study of docetaxel and vinorelbine plus filgrastim with weekly trastuzumab for HER2-positive,stage IV breast cancer

SWOG trial S0102 showed significant activity of the combination of docetaxel and vinorelbine in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC). For HER2-positive patients, additional benefit may occur with the addition of trastuzumab due to its synergy with docetaxel and vinorelbine. Patients with HER2-positive MBC, but without prior chemotherapy for MBC or adjuvant taxane, were eligible. Docetaxel (60 mg/m²) was given intravenously on Day 1, vinorelbine (27.5 mg/m²) intravenously on Days 8 and 15, and filgrastim (5 μg/kg) on Days 2–21 of a 21-day cycle. In addition, patients received weekly infusions of trastuzumab (2 mg/kg) after an initial bolus of 4 mg/kg. The primary outcome was 1 year overall survival (OS), with secondary outcomes of progression-free survival (PFS), response rate, and toxicity. Due to slow accrual (February 2003–December 2006), enrollment was stopped after 76 of 90 planned patients. There have been 32 deaths and 51 progressions among the 74 eligible patients who received treatment. The estimated 1 year OS was 93% (95% CI 84–97%) with a median of 48 months. One-year PFS was 70% (95% CI 58–79%) with a median of 20 months. Response rate for measurable disease was 84%. No deaths were attributed to treatment. Grade 4 toxicities were reported for 19% with neutropenia the most common (15%). The most common grade 3 toxicities (33%) were leucopenia (14%) and fatigue (10%). The combination of trastuzumab, docetaxel, and vinorelbine is effective as first-line chemotherapy in HER2-positive MBC with minimal toxicity. One-year survival estimates are among the highest reported in this population.     

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in combination with cyclophosphamide and trastuzumab in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients: efficacy and cardiac safety from the GEICAM/2004–05 study

BackgroundIn order to determine the feasibility of substituting pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) for doxorubicin in combination with cyclophosphamide and trastuzumab as adjuvant therapy, we conducted a phase II study of the combination as first-line therapy in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpressing metastatic breast cancer (MBC).MethodsPLD 50 mg/m² and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m² were administered every 4 weeks for six cycles; trastuzumab (4 mg/kg loading dose, then 2 mg/kg) was administered weekly for 24 weeks. The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR), and the secondary end points included time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), and safety.ResultsAmong the 48 evaluable patients, ORR was 68.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 55.69% to 81.91%], with 6 patients (12.5%) achieving a complete response and 27 (56.2%) a partial response. The median TTP was 12 months (95% CI 9–15.1 months), and the median OS was 34.2 months (95% CI 27.2–41.2 months). Febrile neutropenia was seen in three patients, grade 3 hand–foot syndrome in 29.2% of patients, and grade 3–4 mucositis in 22.9% of patients. Symptomatic congestive heart failure was not observed, and 16.7% of patients experienced grade 2 asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction.ConclusionThe combination of PLD–cyclophosphamide–concurrent trastuzumab is a feasible, safe, and effective first-line regimen for HER2-overexpressing MBC.     

Phase II Trial of Weekly Docetaxel,Vinorelbine, and Trastuzumab in the First-Line Treatment of Patients with HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

BackgroundThe combinations of trastuzumab/docetaxel and trastuzumab/vinorelbine are highly active in the treatment of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We investigated the feasibility and safety of a 3-drug combination of trastuzumab, docetaxel, and vinorelbine as first-line therapy in this patient group.Patients and MethodsSixty patients with previously untreated, measurable HER2-positive MBC (immunohistochemistry 3+ and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization positive) were treated with docetaxel 30 mg/m² intravenously (I.V.) and vinorelbine 25 mg/m² I.V. on days 1 and 8 of each 3-week cycle. Trastuzumab was given weekly (4-mg/kg loading dose followed by 2 mg/kg/week). Patients were evaluated after 6 weeks; responders/stable patients continued treatment until progression.ResultsPatients received a median of 11 treatment cycles (range, 1–22 cycles). Forty-one of 60 patients (68%) had major responses (16 complete responses [27%], 25 partial responses [42%]). An additional 13 patients (22%) had stable disease for ≥ 6 months. After a median follow-up of 58 months, median progression-free survival was 12 months (95% CI, 9.1–16.3 months), and the median overall survival was 40.8 months (95% CI, 25-not reached). Neutropenia (72% grade 4) was the most common hematologic toxicity; 8 patients were hospitalized for febrile neutropenia. A total of 67% of patients required dose modifications for neutropenia during cycles 1 or 2. Other grade 3/4 toxicities included fatigue (12%), hyperglycemia (7%), and myalgias (7%). There were no treatment-related deaths.ConclusionThe combination of trastuzumab, docetaxel, and vinorelbine is highly active as first-line treatment for patients with HER2-positive MBC. However, this regimen offers no obvious advantages over other less myelosuppressive trastuzumab-containing regimens, and its routine use is not supported by the study.     

A phase II trial of trastuzumab plus weekly ixabepilone and carboplatin in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Trial

The epothilone B analogue, ixabepilone, binds to β-tubulin, is effective for taxane-refractory metastatic breast cancer (MBC), and may be given every 3 weeks or weekly. We evaluated the efficacy of weekly ixabepilone (I) plus trastuzumab (T) and carboplatin (C) as first line therapy in HER2 + MBC. Patients with HER2+ (3+ by IHC or FISH amplified) MBC received I (15 mg/m² IV) and C (area under the curve, AUC = 2 IV) on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle for a maximum of 6 cycles, plus weekly T (4 mg/kg loading dose then 2 mg/kg IV) during chemotherapy then every 3 weeks (6 mg/kg IV) until disease progression. The primary objective was to determine whether the combination was associated with a response rate (RR) of at least 75%. Fifty-nine patients were treated, and 39 had HER2 overexpression confirmed in a central lab (cHER2+). For all treated patients, objective response occurred in 26 patients (44%; 95% CI 31–58%), median time to progression was 8.2 months (95% CI 6.3–9.9), and median overall survival was 34.7 months (95% CI 25.7 to [not reached]). Results were comparable for cHer2+ cancers. Grade 3–4 adverse events included neutropenia (49%), thrombocytopenia (14%), fatigue (12%), nausea (7%), diarrhea (7%), and neuropathy (7%). One patient died from treatment complications during cycle 1. Weekly ixabepilone and carboplatin plus trastuzumab have an acceptable toxicity profile, but are not likely to be associated with an RR of 75% in HER2+ MBC. Efficacy appears comparable to paclitaxel, carboplatin, and trastuzumab.     

Weekly Gemcitabine and Trastuzumab in the Treatment of Patients With HER2-Overexpressing Metastatic Breast Cancer

BackgroundThe use of trastuzumab in combination with either a taxane or vinorelbine has improved the efficacy of treatment for women with HER2-positive (HER+) breast cancer. We investigated the activity and toxicity of the gemcitabine/trastuzumab combination as first- or second-line treatment in women with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer (MBC).Patients and MethodsForty-one women with HER2+ MBC were treated with gemcitabine 1000 mg/m² intravenously (I.V.) days 1, 8, and 15 and trastuzumab 4-mg/kg I.V. loading dose and then 2 mg/kg weekly. Cycles were repeated every 28 days. Patients were evaluated after 8 weeks of treatment; responders/stable patients continued treatment until progression.ResultsPatients received a median of 28 weeks of treatment. Eleven of 37 evaluable patients (30%; 95% CI, 17%–46%) had major responses. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4 months (95% CI, 1.9–5.3 months), with a 1-year PFS of 17%. Four of 15 patients (27%) who had previously received trastuzumab for MBC had partial responses. The gemcitabine/trastuzumab combination was well tolerated.ConclusionThe combination of gemcitabine and trastuzumab is an active regimen but appears less active than trastuzumab in combination with either taxanes or vinorelbine. The role of gemcitabine/trastuzumab (versus gemcitabine alone) in women who have already received a trastuzumab-containing regimen for HER2+ MBC is not defined by this study.     

Phase II study of weekly docetaxel alone or in combination with trastuzumab in patients with metastatic breast cancer

This study was designed to determine the efficacy and toxicity of weekly docetaxel in metastatic breast cancer when given alone (for HER2/neu negative disease) or with trastuzumab (for HER2/neu overexpressing disease). Patients with metastatic breast carcinoma received docetaxel given on 2 different schedules (group 1A, 33 mg/m2 weekly [n = 21]; group 1B, 40 mg/m2 weekly for 3 weeks with 1 week off [n = 14]). Patients with HER2/neu overexpressing disease also received trastuzumab 4 mg/kg on day 1, then 2 mg/kg on days 8 and 15 of each 28-day cycle (group 2). Fifty-two patients were treated with docetaxel alone (group 1A/B, n = 35) or in combination with trastuzumab (group 2, n = 17). Prior taxane therapy given every 3 weeks had been used for metastatic disease in 19 of 35 patients (54%) in group 1A/B and in 2 of 17 patients (12%) in group 2. The mean delivered dose intensity of docetaxel was 29 mg/m2 per week. Partial response occurred in 7 of 35 patients (21%; 95% exact binomial confidence interval [CI], 9%-38%) treated with docetaxel alone, including 3 of 19 taxane-pretreated patients (16%) and 4 of 16 taxane-naive patients (25%). Partial response occurred in 10 of 17 patients (59%; 95% CI, 34%-82%) treated with docetaxel/trastuzumab. The most common grade 3/4 toxicities, occurring in more than or equal to 10% of patients, included neutropenia (21%), pulmonary toxicity (12%), and hyperglycemia (10%). The median times to disease progression were 4.5 months (95% CI, 2.5-6.5 months) in the docetaxel group and 8.5 months (95% CI, 4.5-12.5 months) in the docetaxel/trastuzumab group. Weekly docetaxel/trastuzumab is an effective regimen for patients with HER2/neu overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. Weekly docetaxel may be effective in as many as 20% of patients who had progressive disease after treatment with taxanes given every 3 weeks.     

Phase II study of trastuzumab plus gemcitabine in chemotherapy-pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer

We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of trastuzumab plus gemcitabine in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Sixty-four patients were enrolled, the majority of whom (95%) had been treated with an anthracycline and a taxane before study enrollment. Eligible women were treated with gemcitabine (1200 mg/m(2) weekly for 2 weeks with the third week off on a 21-day cycle) plus weekly doses of trastuzumab (4-mg/kg loading dose; 2 mg/kg thereafter) until disease progression. The median patient age was 55 years, and the median number of previously administered (including adjuvant) chemotherapy regimens was 3. Twenty-two patients were scored as 2+ for HER2 expression by immunohistochemistry; 39 patients scored 3+. Three patients were assessed as HER2-negative on central pathology review and were ineligible for evaluation. Fifty-nine of the 61 patients remained evaluable for response. The objective response rates were 38% in the intent-to-treat population (23 of 61) and 44% among the 39 patients with HER2 3+ expression. The median response duration was 5.8 months, median overall survival was 14.7 months, and median time to disease progression was 5.8 months. Trastuzumab plus gemcitabine was well tolerated. No cases of clinical congestive heart failure occurred. Grade 3/4 toxicities included asthenia in 4 patients, fever in 4, neutropenia in 18, dyspnea in 6, abdominal or back pain in 3, and edema and nausea in 1 patient each. The combination of trastuzumab plus gemcitabine appears to be well tolerated and effective for patients with HER2-positive MBC previously treated with chemotherapy.     

A phase II study of weekly vinorelbine and trastuzumab in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Trastuzumab combined with cytotoxic agents presents encouraging results in metastatic breast cancer (MBC), but cardiac toxicity limits some combinations. The synergism shown with trastuzumab and the favorable tolerability profile of vinorelbine provided the rationale for investigating this combination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with HER2-positive MBC who had received <2 lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease were included. Vinorelbine (25 mg/m2 on day 2, then weekly on day 1) and trastuzumab (4 mg/kg on day 1, then 2 mg/kg weekly) were administered for a maximum of 6 cycles (1 cycle=3 weeks). RESULTS: A total of 52 patients were enrolled. The median age was 50 years (range, 26-79 years). Ninety percent of the patients had received adjuvant chemotherapy, 42% received a first line of chemotherapy for MBC, and 69% had disease at visceral sites. The overall response rate was 58% (95% CI, 43%-71%). The median time to progression and overall survival were 7 months (95% CI, 5-9 months) and 26 months (95% CI, 20-32 months), respectively. Grade 4 neutropenia was present in 3 courses; neutropenic fever was not reported. The main grade 3 nonhematologic toxicities were asthenia, neuropathy, diarrhea, alopecia, and nausea/vomiting. No patients experienced serious cardiac toxicity. CONCLUSION: These results confirm that weekly vinorelbine/trastuzumab is an active and safe regimen in patients with HER2-positive MBC with an unfavorable prognosis.     

Phase II Multicenter Study of Docetaxel and Bevacizumab With or Without Trastuzumab as First-Line Treatment for Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer

BackgroundAdding bevacizumab to docetaxel or paclitaxel in the first-line improves the progression-free survival (PFS) of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. Docetaxel has been studied with bevacizumab at the maximally tolerated dose of 100 mg/m². We investigated the effects of combining bevacizumab with docetaxel (75 mg/m²) with or without trastuzumab for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–positive (HER2⁺) and HER2–negative (HER2⁻) patients, respectively.Patients and MethodsWe conducted a phase II study, stratified by HER2 status, of patients with locally advanced breast cancer or MBC who had received no prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease and showed no evidence or history of central nervous system metastases. Stratum 1 (HER2⁻) treatment consisted of bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) followed by docetaxel (75 mg/m²) administered every 3 weeks; stratum 2 (HER2⁺) treatment was the same as that of stratum 1 with the addition of trastuzumab (8 mg/kg loading dose on day 2 of cycle 1, and 6 mg/kg on day 1 of all subsequent cycles).ResultsThe trial accrued 73 patients (stratum 1, 52 patients; stratum 2, 21 patients). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse event (all strata) was fatigue (stratum 1, 11.5%; stratum 2, 10%). The incidence of grade 3 hypertension was 6% for stratum 1 and 5% for stratum 2. The median PFS was 8.4 months (95% CI, 5.2-10.4 months) in stratum 1; the median PFS in stratum 2 was 13.3 months (95% CI, 11.9-35.4 months). The overall response rate for stratum 1was 58% and for stratum 2 was 81%, and the clinical benefit rates were 67% and 81%, respectively.ConclusionIn first-line treatment of MBC, adding docetaxel (75 mg/m²) to bevacizumab administered every 3 weeks in HER2⁻ patients, and docetaxel plus trastuzumab plus bevacizumab treatment in HER2⁺ patients are feasible and safe, with high response rates and promising PFS compared with those of bevacizumab-naive historic controls.     

Phase II trial of gemcitabine/carboplatin (plus trastuzumab in HER2-positive disease) in patients with metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Gemcitabine and carboplatin have significant preclinical synergy, and both provide synergistic antitumor activity in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) when used in combination with trastuzumab. The gemcitabine/ cisplatin combination is highly active in MBC with response rates (RRs) of approximately 50% in anthracycline- and taxane-pretreated patients and up to 80% in untreated subjects. This phase II trial studied the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine/carboplatin with or without trastuzumab in patients with MBC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were stratified into 3 groups: group 1, HER2-positive; group 2, HER2-negative and taxane- naive/remote (no taxanes within past 2 years); and group 3, HER2-negative and previous taxane therapy. Included were women aged > or = 18 years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2, with Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors-defined measurable MBC; HER2-negative or HER2 (3+) by immunohistochemistry or fluorescence in situ hybridization positive. All cycles were repeated every 14 days. On day 1, gemcitabine 1500 mg/m2 over 30 minutes was administered followed by carboplatin area under the curve of 2.5. Group 1 also received trastuzumab 8 mg/kg on day 1 of each cycle followed by 4 mg/kg for every 2 weeks thereafter. RESULTS: One hundred fifty patients were registered (50, 51, and 49 in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). The overall RRs were 64%, 27%, and 32%, respectively, with median time to progression of 7.2, 5.5, and 4.4 months, respectively. Overall, grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (45%), leukopenia (17%), and thrombocytopenia (7%). Alopecia was infrequent: grade 1 (34%) and grade 2 (3%), and there was no significant cardiac toxicity. CONCLUSION: Gemcitabine/carboplatin/trastuzumab is highly active in patients with HER2-positive MBC. Gemcitabine/carboplatin is active in patients with HER2-negative MBC independent of previous taxane therapy. Gemcitabine/carboplatin with or without trastuzumab administered every 2 weeks is associated with a low frequency of serious toxicity.     

A phase I-II study of combined blockade of the ErbB receptor network with trastuzumab and gefitinib in patients with HER2 (ErbB2)-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer

PURPOSE: To determine the safety, and efficacy of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib in combination with trastuzumab in patients with metastatic HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Patients with HER2-overexpressing breast cancer were treated with trastuzumab 2 mg/kg/week and gefitinib 250 to 500 mg/day. The primary end point of the study was to increase the proportion progression-free from 50% to 65% at 6 months in chemotherapy-naive patients and from 50% to 70% at 3 months in patients previously treated with chemotherapy in the metastatic setting. RESULTS: In the phase I study, all patients treated with gefitinib 500 mg/day developed grade 3 diarrhea. The phase II study was conducted using trastuzumab and gefitinib 250 mg/day. One patient achieved a complete response, 2 had a partial response, and 6 had stable disease for an overall response rate of 9% and a clinical benefit rate of 28% (9 of 32). Median time to progression (TTP) was 3 months (95% confidence interval, 2.3-4.1) in patients with no prior systemic therapy in the metastatic setting (n = 23). In patients treated with prior systemic therapy (n = 9), the median TTP of 5.3 months (95% confidence interval, 2.8-8.1). Overall median survival was 27 months. TTP was similar in EGFR-positive compared with EGFR-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: Gefitinib 250 mg/day was the maximal dose that can be safely administered with weekly trastuzumab. Interim analysis of the efficacy suggested that the combination was unlikely to result in clinical benefit compared with trastuzumab alone. These results do not support the use of this combination in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.     

Superior survival with capecitabine plus docetaxel combination therapy in anthracycline-pretreated patients with advanced breast cancer: phase III trial results.

PURPOSE: Docetaxel and capecitabine, a tumor-activated oral fluoropyrimidine, show high single-agent efficacy in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and synergy in preclinical studies. This international phase III trial compared efficacy and tolerability of capecitabine/docetaxel therapy with single-agent docetaxel in anthracycline-pretreated patients with MBC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were randomized to 21-day cycles of oral capecitabine 1,250 mg/m(2) twice daily on days 1 to 14 plus docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) on day 1 (n = 255) or to docetaxel 100 mg/m(2) on day 1 (n = 256). RESULTS: Capecitabine/docetaxel resulted in significantly superior efficacy in time to disease progression (TTP) (hazard ratio, 0.652; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.545 to 0.780; P =.0001; median, 6.1 v 4.2 months), overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.775; 95% CI, 0.634 to 0.947; P =.0126; median, 14.5 v 11.5 months), and objective tumor response rate (42% v 30%, P =.006) compared with docetaxel. Gastrointestinal side effects and hand-foot syndrome were more common with combination therapy, whereas myalgia, arthralgia, and neutropenic fever/sepsis were more common with single-agent docetaxel. More grade 3 adverse events occurred with combination therapy (71% v 49%, respectively), whereas grade 4 events were slightly more common with docetaxel (31% v 25% with combination). CONCLUSION: The significantly superior TTP and survival achieved with the addition of capecitabine to docetaxel 75 mg/m(2), with the manageable toxicity profile, indicate that this combination provides clear benefits over single-agent docetaxel 100 mg/m(2). Docetaxel/capecitabine therapy is an important treatment option for women with anthracycline-pretreated MBC.     

Phase II study of bevacizumab in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine as first-line treatment for HER-2-positive locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer

We report the first results from a phase II, open-label study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine as first-line therapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2-positive locally recurrent (LR) or metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Patients were aged ≥18 years with confirmed breast adenocarcinoma, measurable LR/MBC and documented HER-2-positive disease. Patients received bevacizumab (15 mg/kg on day 1) plus trastuzumab (8 mg/kg on day 1 of cycle 1, 6 mg/kg on day 1 of each subsequent cycle) plus capecitabine (1,000 mg/m2 twice daily, days 1-14) every 3 weeks until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or consent withdrawal. Eighty-eight patients were enrolled; 40 (46%) are still on study treatment. The median follow-up was 8.8 months (range, 0.9-17.1 months). The overall response rate, the primary endpoint, was 73% (95% confidence interval [CI], 62%-82%), comprising 7% complete and 66% partial responses. The median progression-free survival interval was 14.4 months (95% CI, 10.4 months to not reached [NR]), with 35 events. The median time to progression was 14.5 months (95% CI, 10.5 months to NR), with 33 events. Treatment was well tolerated; main side effects were grade 3 hand-foot syndrome (22%), grade ≥3 diarrhea (9%), and grade ≥3 hypertension (7%). Overall, 44% of patients experienced grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events and 13 patients discontinued capecitabine because of toxicity, but continued with bevacizumab and trastuzumab. Heart failure was seen in two patients. The combination of bevacizumab, trastuzumab, and capecitabine was clinically active as first-line therapy for patients with HER-2-positive MBC, with an acceptable safety profile and no unexpected toxicities.     

Efficacy and safety of trastuzumab plus capecitabine in heavily pretreated patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer

Purpose We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of combination therapy of trastuzumab plus capecitabine in heavily pretreated patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Methods Patients with HER2-positive MBC who had been administered the combination therapy between July 2003 and July 2006 at the Cancer Institute Hospital, Tokyo, were retrospectively reviewed. Capecitabine (828 mg/m²) was given twice daily for 3 weeks followed by a 1-week rest period; this was repeated every 4 weeks. Trastuzumab was given at 4 mg/kg as an initial loading dose intravenously, followed by 2 mg/kg weekly. We investigated objective response rate (ORR), clinical benefit rate (CBR), and time-to-treatment failure (TTF) according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors guidelines. Adverse events were graded according to the National Cancer Institute, Common Toxicity Criteria, version 3.0. Results A total of 49 patients were assessed and median follow-up time of patients was 16.2 months (1.4–43.5 months). ORR was 16% (95% confidence interval: 7–30%) and CBR was 47% (95% confidence interval: 32–62%). Median TTF was 5.4 months. Common adverse effects were hand–foot syndrome, liver dysfunction, and bone marrow suppression. Grade 3 adverse events were observed in nine patients (18%). One patient (2%) suffered from symptomatic chronic heart failure, which improved after discontinuation of trastuzumab. Conclusions The combination therapy of trastuzumab plus capecitabine is effective and tolerable for heavily pretreated patients with HER2-positive MBC.     

Preliminary safety and efficacy of first-line pertuzumab combined with trastuzumab and taxane therapy for HER2-positive locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer (PERUSE)

BackgroundPertuzumab combined with trastuzumab and docetaxel is the standard first-line therapy for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, based on results from the phase III CLEOPATRA trial. PERUSE was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of investigator-selected taxane with pertuzumab and trastuzumab in this setting.Patients and methodsIn the ongoing multicentre single-arm phase IIIb PERUSE study, patients with inoperable HER2-positive advanced breast cancer (locally recurrent/metastatic) (LR/MBC) and no prior systemic therapy for LR/MBC (except endocrine therapy) received docetaxel, paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel with trastuzumab [8 mg/kg loading dose, then 6 mg/kg every 3 weeks (q3w)] and pertuzumab (840 mg loading dose, then 420 mg q3w) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary end point was safety. Secondary end points included overall response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS).ResultsOverall, 1436 patients received at least one treatment dose (initially docetaxel in 775 patients, paclitaxel in 589, nab-paclitaxel in 65; 7 discontinued before starting taxane). Median age was 54 years; 29% had received prior trastuzumab. Median treatment duration was 16 months for pertuzumab and trastuzumab and 4 months for taxane. Compared with docetaxel-containing therapy, paclitaxel-containing therapy was associated with more neuropathy (all-grade peripheral neuropathy 31% versus 16%) but less febrile neutropenia (1% versus 11%) and mucositis (14% versus 25%). At this preliminary analysis (52 months’ median follow-up), median PFS was 20.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) 18.9–22.7] months overall (19.6, 23.0 and 18.1 months with docetaxel, paclitaxel and nab-paclitaxel, respectively). ORR was 80% (95% CI 78%–82%) overall (docetaxel 79%, paclitaxel 83%, nab-paclitaxel 77%).ConclusionsPreliminary findings from PERUSE suggest that the safety and efficacy of first-line pertuzumab, trastuzumab and taxane for HER2-positive LR/MBC are consistent with results from CLEOPATRA. Paclitaxel appears to be a valid alternative taxane backbone to docetaxel, offering similar PFS and ORR with a predictable safety profile.ClinicalTrials.govNCT01572038.     

A phase II study of three-weekly docetaxel and weekly trastuzumab in HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer

BACKGROUND: To test safety and activity of 3-weekly doses of docetaxel and a weekly dose of trastuzumab in women with HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-two women, median age 53 years (range 36-73 years), with HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer were enrolled in a study of docetaxel, 75 mg/m(2) q3w for 6 cycles, and trastuzumab, 4 mg/kg loading dose, 2 mg/kg weekly thereafter. Thirty-four patients (81%) had visceral metastatic involvement. Thirty-five patients had received prior chemotherapy as part of their treatment: adjuvant/neoadjuvant (26), metastatic (2) and both (7). Thirty-one patients had been previously exposed to an anthracycline and 11 to paclitaxel. Four patients had previously received high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant. RESULTS: 226 cycles (median 6, range 1-6) were administered. The median delivered dose intensity for docetaxel was 24 mg/m(2)/week (range 16-25 mg/m(2)/week). The intent to treat overall response rate was 67% (95% confidence interval, 52-79%). Median progression-free survival, time to treatment failure, and duration of response were 9, 8 and 12 months, respectively. Symptomatic cardiotoxicity (grade 3) occurred in 1 patient. The most common grade 3/4 toxicity was neutropenia (76% of the patients), although febrile neutropenia did not occur. CONCLUSIONS: Three-weekly doses of docetaxel and a weekly dose of trastuzumab is an active and safe combination in patients with HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer.     

Safety and activity of docetaxel and trastuzumab in HER2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer: a pilot phase II study

We conducted a pilot phase II trial of trastuzumab administered concurrently with docetaxel in women with HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer. Twenty-five women with HER2-positive (3+ by immunohistochemistry = 16, 2+ = 9) metastatic breast cancer received docetaxel (75 mg/m every 3 weeks for 6 cycles) and trastuzumab (4 mg/kg loading dose, 2 mg/kg weekly thereafter). Twenty-three patients (92%) had visceral metastatic involvement. Twenty-three patients had received prior chemotherapy as part of adjuvant (18), metastatic (2), and both (3) treatment. The number of cycles administered was 121 (median 6, range 1-6). Symptomatic cardiotoxicity (GIII) occurred in one patient. The most common grade GIII/IV toxicity was neutropenia (80% of the cycles), although febrile neutropenia did not occur. No other GIII/IV toxicities were observed. Response rate was 70% (1 complete response and 15 partial responses) in 23 evaluable patients. The combination of docetaxel and trastuzumab is well tolerated and has clinically meaningful antitumor activity.     

Comparison of docetaxel and docetaxel-irinotecan combination as second-line chemotherapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a randomized phase II trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether docetaxel (taxotere) treatment with or without irinotecan improved patient outcomes with similar toxicity in recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with recurrent platinum-refractory NSCLC with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2 were randomized to either docetaxel 30 mg/m(2) and irinotecan 60 mg/m(2) (days 1 and 8) or docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) (day 1), both administered every 3 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 130 patients were randomized. The response rate (RR) (20% versus 14%), overall survival (6.5 months versus 6.4 months) and 1-year survival (37% versus 34%) were similar in the combination and docetaxel arms, respectively. The combination arm demonstrated a longer time to tumor progression (TTP) (5.6 versus 4.8 months; P=0.065). Grade 3-4 neutropenia and anemia were similar in the combination and docetaxel arms. Grades 3-4 non-hematological toxicity (except diarrhea) was mild and was similar in the two groups. Grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia (17% versus 6%; P=0.04) and diarrhea (12% versus 3%; P=0.05) occurred more frequently in the combination arm. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of irinotecan with docetaxel in platinum-refractory NSCLC prolonged TTP, but did not improve significantly RR, median survival or 1-year survival. Second-line docetaxel monotherapy offers significant and reproducible efficacy in platinum-refractory NSCLC.