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Neoadjuvant Response-guided Treatment of HER2 Positive Breast Cancer

Phase 2
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer
Early-Stage Breast Carcinoma
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT02568839
Lead Sponsor
Thomas Hatschek
Brief Summary

The purpose of this trial is to evaluate efficacy and toxicity of either the combination of docetaxel, trastuzumab sc and pertuzumab (arm A) or trastuzumab emtansin (arm B). Switch of therapy to the opposite treatment alternative is applicable in case of lack of response after two courses of treatment, or for medical reasons under exceptional circumstances (drug reaction, other medical conditions) at any point. After termination of the primary treatment follow-up for five years.

A translational subprotocol is a mandatory part of the study protocol, with exception for the use of PET-CT evaluations.

Detailed Description

Patients with HER2-positive tumors \>20 mm or verfied regional lymph node metastases are randomized to either arm A, the combination of docetaxel, trastuzumab sc (Herceptin SC®) and pertuzumab (Perjeta®) or arm B, trastuzumab emtansin (Kadcyla®). Switch to the opposite treatment is performed in case of lack of response after evaluations with mammography and ultrasound, alternatively MRI breast after the 2nd, 4th and 6th course of treatment.

Postoperative treatment, trastuzumab, radiotherapy, eventual endocrine treatment) according to standard guidelines. Structured follow-up visits yearly for five years, including reporting of persistent treatment-related toxicity, HRQoL, recurrence and death.

The trial contains also a translational subprotocol:

1. PET-CT using FDG, confined to the chest, is performed before start, and after the 2nd and 6th course (functional imaging, optional).

2. Core biopsies from the tumor are collected before start and after the 2nd course of treatment. If residual tissue is available, samples are collected from the surgical sample

3. Blood samples are collected repeatedly during the ongoing treatment and yearly follow-up

4. FNAs from metastases in case of recurrence during follow-up

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
202
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Written informed consent
  2. Patients with breast cancer confirmed by histology, characterized by immunohistochemistry for ER, PR, HER2 and proliferation marker
  3. Tumor and blood samples available. HER2 type confirmed by ISH
  4. Age 18 years or older. Elderly patients in condition adequate for planned therapy
  5. Primary breast cancer >20mm in diameter and/or verified lymph node metastases
  6. Adequate bone marrow, renal, hepatic and cardiac functions and no other uncontrolled medical or psychiatric disorders
  7. LVEF ≥55%
  8. ECOG performance status 0-1
  9. Primary breast cancer as defined in p. 5 plus at most 2 morphologically characterized well-defined distant metastases accessible for stereotactic radiotherapy, provided that this treatment is available
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Distant metastases, including node metastases in the contralateral thoracic region or in the mediastinum
  2. Other malignancy diagnosed within the last five years, except for radically treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or CIS of the cervix
  3. Patients in child-bearing age without adequate contraception
  4. Pregnancy or lactation
  5. Uncontrolled hypertension, heart, liver, kidney related or other medical or psychiatric disorders

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
A standard treatmentdocetaxel + trastuzumab sc + pertuzumabdocetaxel + trastuzumab sc + pertuzumab. Treatment with all three drugs is given on day 1, repeated every three weeks. Six courses of preoperative treatment. Response evaluations after every 2nd course. In case of no change (NC), treatment is switched to arm B. Postoperatively, patients receive 2 courses of treatment with the combination epirubicin + cyclophosphamide (EC), followed by adjuvant trastuzumab, radiotherapy, eventually endocrine treatment.
B experimental treatmenttrastuzumab emtansintrastuzumab emtansine. Treatment is given on day 1, repeated every three weeks. Six courses of preoperative treatment. Response evaluations after every 2nd course. In case of no change (NC), treatment is switched to arm A. Postoperatively, patients receive 4 courses of treatment with the combination epirubicin + cyclophosphamide (EC), followed by adjuvant trastuzumab, radiotherapy, eventually endocrine treatment.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pathological objective response to primary medical treatmentAt surgery

Efficacy measure after 18 weeks of preoperative treatment, starting from the start of preoperative medical treatment until the date of surgery. Outcome should be received within not more than 4 weeks post surgery

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Disease-free survivalDuring the follow-up to 10 years

Time frame for reporting is between date of surgery and 10 years follow-up. Date of detection of metastasis will be reported within 12 months after occurence

Breast cancer specific survivalDuring the follow-up to 10 years

Time frame for reporting is between date of surgery and 60 months follow-up. Date and cause of death will be reported within 12 months after occurence

Overall survivalDuring the follow-up to 10 years

Time frame for reporting is between date of surgery and 10 years follow-up. Date of death will be reported within 12 months after occurence

Incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events [Safety and Tolerability]During the 18-week period of treatment and until 30 days after termination and during the follow-up period up to 10 years

Time frame for reporting of acute side effects is from start of treatment until 30 days after termination of the treatment, totally 22 weeks. Late side effects are reported within 60 months post surgery. Cardiac toxicity is given special attention during the entire period. Echocardiograms and ECGs are performed within 6 weeks before start of treatment, after 16 weeks of treatment before surgery, and then every 3 months during postoperative treatment with trastuzumab the 1st postoperative year; thereafter every 12 months until 10 years of follow-up after surgery

Event-free survivalAll events from date of randomization until follow-up to 10 years

Time frame for reporting is from date of randomization until first reported event, including disease progression, documented first recurrence, first contralateral breast cancer, first cancer of other origin, or death of any cause, whatever occurs first

Frequency of breast-conserving surgeryAt surgery

Type of surgery is recorded at the time of surgery

Clinical/radiological objective response during neoadjuvant treatmentDuring the 18-week treatment period before surgery

Clinical measurements with caliper, radiological evaluations with mammography and ultrasound, alternately MRI, within 6 weeks before start, and 14 days after 3-weekly courses 2, 4 and 6; PET-CT within 2 weeks before start, and 16 days after courses 2 and 6. Time frame for these response evaluations is between between week 4 and week 18 of preoperative treatment

Health Related Quality of lifeFrom date of randomisation until follow-up to 5 years

Repeated assessments using EOTC QLQ-C30 and BR23 during the treatment period, before randomization and after courses 2, 4 and 6, 3 months post surgery and annually during the follow-up period up to 10 years. Time frame covers the 18-week period of preoperative treatment and 10 years follow-up period after surgery

Trial Locations

Locations (7)

Dept. of Oncology, Uppsala University Hospital

🇸🇪

Uppsala, Sweden

Dept. of Oncology, University Hospital of Umeå

🇸🇪

Umeå, Sweden

Dept. of Oncology, Örebro University Hospital

🇸🇪

Örebro, Närke, Sweden

Dept. of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital

🇸🇪

Göteborg, Sweden

Dept. of Oncology, Skåne University Hospital

🇸🇪

Lund, Sweden

Dept. of Oncology, Sundsvall Hospital

🇸🇪

Sundsvall, Sweden

Dept. of Oncology, Karolinska University Hospital

🇸🇪

Stockholm, Sweden

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