Anna Polli

Crizotinib versus Chemotherapy in Advanced ALK-Positive Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND In single-group studies, chromosomal rearrangements of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene (ALK) have been associated with marked clinical responses to crizotinib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting ALK. Whether crizotinib is superior to standard chemotherapy with respect to efficacy is unknown. METHODS We conducted a phase 3, open-label trial comparing crizotinib with chemotherapy in 347 patients with locally advanced or metastatic ALK-positive lung cancer who had received one prior platinum-based regimen. Patients were randomly assigned to receive oral treatment with crizotinib (250 mg) twice daily or intravenous chemotherapy with either pemetrexed (500 mg per square meter of body-surface area) or docetaxel (75 mg per square meter) every 3 weeks. Patients in the chemotherapy group who had disease progression were permitted to cross over to crizotinib as part of a separate study. The primary end point was progression-free survival. RESULTS The median progression-free survival was 7.7 months in the crizotinib group and 3.0 months in the chemotherapy group (hazard ratio for progression or death with crizotinib, 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37 to 0.64; P<0.001). The response rates were 65% (95% CI, 58 to 72) with crizotinib, as compared with 20% (95% CI, 14 to 26) with chemotherapy (P<0.001). An interim analysis of overall survival showed no significant improvement with crizotinib as compared with chemotherapy (hazard ratio for death in the crizotinib group, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.68 to 1.54; P=0.54). Common adverse events associated with crizotinib were visual disorder, gastrointestinal side effects, and elevated liver aminotransferase levels, whereas common adverse events with chemotherapy were fatigue, alopecia, and dyspnea. Patients reported greater reductions in symptoms of lung cancer and greater improvement in global quality of life with crizotinib than with chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Crizotinib is superior to standard chemotherapy in patients with previously treated, advanced non-small-cell lung cancer with ALK rearrangement. (Funded by Pfizer; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00932893.).

Exemestane Is Superior to Megestrol Acetate After Tamoxifen Failure in Postmenopausal Women With Advanced Breast Cancer: Results of a Phase III Randomized Double-Blind Trial

PURPOSE This phase III, double-blind, randomized, multicenter study evaluated the efficacy, pharmacodynamics, and safety of the oral aromatase inactivator exemestane (EXE) versus megestrol acetate (MA) in postmenopausal women with progressive advanced breast cancer who experienced failure of tamoxifen. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 769 patients were randomized to EXE 25 mg/d (n = 366) or MA (n = 403) 40 mg four times daily. Tumor response, duration of tumor control, tumor-related signs and symptoms (TRSS), quality of life (QOL), survival, and tolerability were evaluated. RESULTS Overall objective response (OR) rates were higher in patients treated with EXE than in those treated with MA (15.0% v 12.4%); a similar trend was noted in patients with visceral metastases (13.5% v 10.5%). Median survival time was significantly longer with EXE (median not reached) than with MA (123.4 weeks; P =.039), as were the median duration of overall success (OR or stable disease > or = 24 weeks; 60.1 v 49.1 weeks; P =.025), time to tumor progression (20.3 v 16.6 weeks; P =.037), and time to treatment failure (16.3 v 15.7 weeks; P =.042). Compared with MA, there were similar or greater improvements in pain, TRSS, and QOL with EXE. Both drugs were well tolerated. Grade 3 or 4 weight changes were more common with MA (17.1% v 7.6%; P =.001). CONCLUSION EXE prolongs survival time, time to tumor progression, and time to treatment failure compared with MA and offers a well-tolerated treatment option for postmenopausal women with progressive advanced breast cancer who experienced failure of tamoxifen.

A Comparison of Cabergoline and Bromocriptine in the Treatment of Hyperprolactinemic Amenorrhea

BACKGROUND Cabergoline is a long-acting dopamine-agonist drug that suppresses prolactin secretion and restores gonadal function in women with hyperprolactinemic amenorrhea. We designed a study to compare its safety and efficacy with those of bromocriptine, which has been the standard therapy. METHODS A total of 459 women with hyperprolactinemic amenorrhea were treated with either cabergoline (0.5 to 1.0 mg twice weekly) or bromocriptine (2.5 to 5.0 mg twice daily), administered in a double-blind fashion for 8 weeks and subsequently in an open fashion for 16 weeks, during which adjustments in the dose were made according to the response. Of the 459 women, 279 had microprolactinomas, 3 had macroprolactinomas, 1 had a craniopharyngioma, 167 had idiopathic hyperprolactinemia, and the remainder had an empty sella. Clinical and biochemical status was assessed at 2-week intervals for 8 weeks and monthly thereafter for a total of 6 months, with an additional assessment at 14 weeks. RESULTS Stable normoprolactinemia was achieved in 186 of the 223 women treated with cabergoline (83 percent) and 138 of the 236 women treated with bromocriptine (59 percent, P < 0.001). Seventy-two percent of the women treated with cabergoline and 52 percent of those treated with bromocriptine had ovulatory cycles or became pregnant during treatment (P < 0.001). Amenorrhea persisted in 7 percent of the cabergoline-treated women and 16 percent of the bromocriptine-treated women. Adverse effects were recorded in 68 percent of the women taking cabergoline and 78 percent of those taking bromocriptine (P = 0.03); 3 percent discontinued taking cabergoline, and 12 percent stopped taking bromocriptine (P < 0.001) because of drug intolerance. Gastrointestinal symptoms were significantly less frequent, less severe, and shorter-lived in the women treated with cabergoline. CONCLUSIONS Cabergoline is more effective and better tolerated than bromocriptine in women with hyperprolactinemic amenorrhea.

Activity of Exemestane in Metastatic Breast Cancer After Failure of Nonsteroidal Aromatase Inhibitors: A Phase II Trial

PURPOSE To evaluate the antitumor activity and toxicity of a new steroidal aromatase inactivator, exemestane, in postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer who had progressive disease (PD) after treatment with a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this phase II trial, eligible patients were treated with exemestane 25 mg daily (n = 241) followed, at the time PD was determined, by exemestane 100 mg daily (n = 58). RESULTS On the basis of the intent-to-treat analysis by independent review, exemestane 25 mg produced objective responses in 6.6% of patients (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.8% to 10.6%) and overall success (complete response + partial response + no change for 24 weeks or longer) in 24.3% (95% CI, 19.0% to 30.2%). The median durations of objective response and overall success were 58.4 weeks (95% CI, 49.7 to 71.1 weeks) and 37.0 weeks (95% CI, 35.0 to 39.4 weeks), respectively. Increasing the dose of exemestane to 100 mg upon the development of PD produced one partial response (1.7%; 95% CI, 0.0% to 9.2%). Both dosages were well tolerated and were discontinued because of adverse events in only 1.7% of patients. CONCLUSION Exemestane 25 mg once daily seems to be an attractive alternative to chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer after multiple hormonal therapies have failed.

Clinical Experience With Crizotinib in Patients With Advanced ALK-Rearranged Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Brain Metastases

PURPOSE Crizotinib is an oral kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of ALK-rearranged non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The clinical benefits of crizotinib in patients with brain metastases have not been previously studied. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with advanced ALK-rearranged NSCLC enrolled onto clinical trial PROFILE 1005 or 1007 (randomly assigned to crizotinib) were included in this retrospective analysis. Patients with asymptomatic brain metastases (nontarget or target lesions) were allowed to enroll. Tumor assessments were evaluated every 6 weeks using RECIST (version 1.1). RESULTS At baseline, 31% of patients (275 of 888) had asymptomatic brain metastases; 109 had received no prior and 166 had received prior brain radiotherapy as treatment. Among patients with previously untreated asymptomatic brain metastases, the systemic disease control rate (DCR) at 12 weeks was 63% (95% CI, 54% to 72%), the intracranial DCR was 56% (95% CI, 46% to 66%), and the median intracranial time to progression (TTP) was 7 months (95% CI, 6.7 to 16.4). Among patients with previously treated brain metastases, the systemic DCR was 65% (95% CI, 57% to 72%), the intracranial DCR was 62% (95% CI, 54% to 70%), and the median intracranial TTP was 13.2 months (95% CI, 9.9 to not reached). Patients with systemic disease control were also likely to experience intracranial disease control at 12 weeks (correlation coefficient, 0.7652; P < .001). Among patients without baseline brain metastases who developed progressive disease (n = 253) after initiation of crizotinib, 20% were diagnosed with brain metastases. CONCLUSION Crizotinib was associated with systemic and intracranial disease control in patients with ALK-rearranged NSCLC who were ALK inhibitor naive and had brain metastases. However, progression of preexisting or development of new intracranial lesions while receiving therapy was a common manifestation of acquired resistance to crizotinib.

Effects of Exemestane Administered for 2 Years Versus Placebo on Bone Mineral Density, Bone Biomarkers, and Plasma Lipids in Patients With Surgically Resected Early Breast Cancer

PURPOSE To evaluate potential detrimental effects of exemestane on bone and lipid metabolism. PATIENTS AND METHODS Postmenopausal women with early breast cancer were randomly assigned to exemestane 25 mg daily or placebo for 2 years in a double-blind setting. Primary objective was to evaluate the effect of exemestane on bone mineral density. Secondary objectives were effects on bone biomarkers, plasma lipids, coagulation factors, and homocysteine. Planned size was 128 patients. RESULTS One hundred forty-seven patients were enrolled. All patients completed their 24-month visit except for those discontinuing treatment at an earlier stage. The mean annual rate of bone mineral density loss was 2.17% v 1.84% in the lumbar spine (P = .568) and 2.72% v 1.48% in the femoral neck (P = .024) in the exemestane and placebo arm, respectively. The mean change in T-score after 2 years was -0.21 for exemestane and -0.11 on placebo in the hip, and -0.30 and -0.21, respectively, in the lumbar spine. Exemestane significantly increased serum level and urinary excretion of bone resorption, but also bone formation markers. Except for a modest reduction in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < .001) and apolipoprotein A1 (P = .004), exemestane had no major effect on lipid profile, homocysteine levels, or coagulation parameters. CONCLUSION Exemestane modestly enhanced bone loss from the femoral neck without significant influence on lumbar bone loss. Except for a 6% to 9% drop in plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, no major effects on serum lipids, coagulation factors, or homocysteine were recorded. Bone mineral density should be assessed according to the US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines.

Multicenter, Phase II Trial of Exemestane as Third-Line Hormonal Therapy of Postmenopausal Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer

PURPOSE: To assess the antitumor activity, safety, and hormone-suppressive effects of the irreversible aromatase inactivator, exemestane (Aromasin, Pharmacia & Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI), administered as third-line hormone therapy to postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer that is refractory to tamoxifen and megestrol acetate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Exemestane was administered at a dose of 25 mg/d orally until patients experienced disease progression. The efficacy and safety of exemestane were clinically and radiographically evaluated. The impact of exemestane treatment on tumor-related signs and symptoms was assessed. The effect of exemestane on serum levels of estrogens and other steroidal hormones was determined. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients were treated. There were four complete responses (CR) and eight partial responses (PR), for an objective response rate of 13% in the entire treated population. The overall success rate (CR, PR, or stable disease [SD] ≥ 24 weeks) was 30%. The median duration o...

High activity and tolerability demonstrated for exemestane in postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer who had previously failed on tamoxifen treatment

This phase II, multicentre, open-label, clinical trial evaluated antitumoral efficacy, tolerability and endocrine effects following 25 mg of treatment with oral exemestane given daily to postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer. Eligibility criteria included oestrogen and/or progesterone positivity or a prior response to hormonal therapy if receptor status was unknown; prior failure to tamoxifen therapy; and progressive disease. Patients were divided into three strata: patients who did not respond to tamoxifen or progressed after disease stabilisation (SD) for less than 6 months (stratum 1); patients who, after an initial response or SD lasting at least 6 months, experienced disease progression whilst on tamoxifen (stratum 2); patients with recurrent metastatic disease during or within 12 months of discontinuing adjuvant tamoxifen (stratum 3). Of the 137 patients who received exemestane, 4 experienced a complete response (CR) and 28 a partial response (PR), for an overall response rate of 23%. Another 33 patients had SD for > or = 24 weeks, resulting in an overall success rate of 47%. The median time to objective response was 16.1 weeks (95% confidence interval (CI) 9.9-24.1). The median response duration was 69.4 weeks, the median duration of overall success 59.1 weeks, the median time to progression (TTP) 25.1 weeks and the median time to treatment failure (TTF) 24 weeks. Response to previous hormonal therapy had little effect on the results, except that there was a trend toward a higher overall success rate in patients who did not respond to previous hormonal therapy. After 8 weeks of therapy, serum levels of oestradiol (E2), oestrone (E1) and oestrone sulphate (E1S) were suppressed to 15.2%, 9.7% and 10.7% of baseline, respectively. The most common adverse events of drug-related or indeterminate cause were hot flushes (14%), dizziness (9%), nausea (8%) and increased sweating (5%). Exemestane had a favourable effect on performance status and tumour-related signs and symptoms, both of which improved or stabilised in approximately 67% and 68% of patients respectively. Exemestane is a unique therapy that is highly active and well tolerated as a new treatment for women with metastatic breast cancer.

Safety, activity and estrogen inhibition by exemestane in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer: a phase I study

Exemestane is an irreversible, steroidal, oral aromatase inhibitor under evaluation in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. A phase I study was conducted in 27 postmenopausal patients who were candidates for hormone therapy because they had advanced breast cancer and estrogen receptor-positive or unknown status. Most patients were moderately or heavily pretreated. Cohorts of at least three patients received sequentially escalating daily oral doses of 5-600 mg. The median duration of exemestane treatment was 13 weeks (range: 3-166 weeks). The maximal tolerated dose was not reached because of lack of treatment-related grade 3 or 4 toxicity. The most common adverse events, including those not related to treatment, were mild to moderate headache (44% of patients), dizziness (33%), nausea (33%), hot flushes (30%) and tumor-related pain (30%). There were three complete and four partial responses for an objective response rate of 26% (95% CI: 11.1-46.3%) in the intent-to-treat population; the median duration of response was 74 weeks (95% CI: 48-99 weeks). Exemestane, at the dose of 25 mg, maximally suppressed estradiol, estrone and estrone sulfate serum levels to 13, 5 and 10% of baseline, respectively. Exemestane appears to suppress estrogen, be well tolerated and have antitumor activity in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. A large, safe therapeutic window of up to 600 mg was defined. In view of its safety and estrogen-suppression profiles, the most favorable effects were observed at the 25 mg daily dose.

Exemestane improves survival compared with megoestrol acetate in postmenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer who have failed on tamoxifen: results of a double-blind randomised phase III trial

Exemestane is an aromatase inactivator. 769 Postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer who had failed on tamoxifen were randomised to exemestane or megoestrol acetate in this double-blind trial. Objective response rate was similar between treatments. Median time to progression, time to treatment failure and overall survival was significantly longer with exemestane. Drug-related withdrawals and drug-related deaths were more common with megoestrol acetate.