Breast cancer therapy New drug is being tested

Promising combined therapy with new anti-breast cancer drug
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, although a distinction is made between different subtypes. Accordingly, the possibilities of treatment are extremely different. For the treatment of the most common type of breast cancer (formerly hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer) is likely soon a treatment option available. In an international Phase III study, the new method is currently being tested.

The large international study "ABCSG 42 / PALLAS" investigates whether the active ingredient palbociclib, which has already shown very promising effects in metastatic breast cancer, also improves the therapeutic success of the most common type of breast cancer, according to the Medical University of Vienna (MedUni Vienna). The drug is to be tested in combination with the standard endocrine therapy in numerous treatment centers worldwide. Success could revolutionize breast cancer therapy, reports Michael Gnant, Head of the Breast Health Center at MedUni Vienna and study leader outside the US.

A new drug that could revolutionize the treatment of breast cancer is currently being tested in a Phase III trial. (Image: SENTELLO / fotolia.com)

Combined therapy will be studied in 4,600 subjects
Breast cancer treatment centers in the US, Australia, Belgium, Spain and Austria have already been selected to participate in the study, and additional study centers are planned in other countries. "Worldwide, 4,600 patients in 25 countries are to be included in this largest international Phase III study for patients with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer," according to the MedUni Vienna. It recruited about half of the subjects in the US. The study will determine whether concomitant administration of the active substance palbociclib may improve the results of standard endocrine therapy.

Drug has been successful in metastatic breast cancer
Standard endocrine therapy inhibits the formation of the hormones responsible for breast cancer. About 75 percent of the newly diagnosed breast cancer forms are "hormone receptor-positive" according to the MedUni Vienna - their growth is fueled by the release of sex hormones. Palbociclib forms a so-called kinase inhibitor, which reduces cell growth and cell division of tumor cells, according to the MedUni Vienna. Study leader Michael Gnant explains that the active ingredient "is already in approval for metastatic breast cancer and shows great therapeutic success" there.

Active substance in the comparative test
In the current study, the "disease-free survival between the standard endocrine therapy (at least 5 years) plus the active ingredient palbociclib (2 years) compared to the standard endocrine therapy alone (at least 5 years)," the MedUni Vienna. Female and male breast cancer patients with ER-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer and stage II or III relapse risk are envisaged to participate in the study. For all participants, the tumor had already been surgically removed.

The goal is permanent healing
According to study leader Gnant, up to 500 Austrian patients are expected to be included in the study in Austria, giving them access to this new therapy. The drug has the potential to revolutionize the therapy of early, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. "Our goal is to extend progression-free survival and long-term, long-term healing for the majority of patients," says Gnant. (Fp)