A new three-drug therapy has shown promising results in extending survival time for patients with advanced hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer harboring PIK3CA mutations. The combination of inavolisib, palbociclib, and fulvestrant has demonstrated a significant improvement in progression-free survival, offering a potential new standard of care for this patient population.
The research, led by Professor Nick Turner at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), highlights the potential of targeting the three key biological aspects of PIK3CA mutant HR-positive breast cancer. "This is the first study to demonstrate the potential of a therapy combination, which targets the three key aspects of the biology of PIK3CA mutant HR-positive breast cancer," said Prof. Turner.
The study found that inavolisib, when combined with palbociclib and fulvestrant, significantly improved progression-free survival when administered as a first-line treatment. This breakthrough builds upon extensive research at the ICR and could represent a transformative advance for individuals with this specific type of breast cancer.
Breast cancer remains a significant health challenge, with over 56,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the UK, resulting in nearly 11,500 deaths, according to Cancer Research UK. Approximately 70% of patients are diagnosed with HR+/HER2- breast cancer, and PIK3CA mutations are present in 35-40% of HR+ cases.
The palbociclib-fulvestrant combination has been available on the NHS for certain breast cancer patients since 2022. The new three-drug therapy, while not yet approved in the UK, received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this month.
"This new combination helps prevent the cancer becoming resistant to therapy, and results in more frequent long-term responses," Prof. Turner explained. "We look forward to seeing this treatment option being licenced and becoming the standard of care as quickly as possible."
