Atezolizumab regimen improves outcomes in early triple-negative breast cancer
The addition of atezolizumab to chemotherapy improved pathologic complete response among patients with early triple-negative breast cancer, according to the agent’s manufacturer.
Researchers observed the benefit regardless of PD-L1 status.
“Triple-negative breast cancer remains an aggressive disease with high rates of recurrence,” Levi Garraway, MD, PhD, chief medical officer and head of global product development for Roche, said in a company-issued press release. “Our goal in treating triple-negative breast cancer at its earliest stages is to provide people with the best chance for a future cure. Adding [atezolizumab] to chemotherapy now has the potential to help women with triple-negative breast cancer at multiple different stages of the disease.”
Atezolizumab (Tecentriq, Genentech/Roche) is a monoclonal antibody designed to bind to PD-L1.
The randomized phase 3 IMpassion031 study included 333 patients with previously untreated early triple-negative breast cancer.
Researchers assigned patients to neoadjuvant chemotherapy — nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane, Celgene) followed by doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide — plus atezolizumab or placebo. Those assigned atezolizumab continued to receive the agent in the adjuvant setting.
Pathologic complete response in the intention-to-treat and PD-L1-positive populations served as the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints included OS, EFS, DFS and quality of life.
Fewer patients assigned atezolizumab had evidence of tumor tissue detectable at the time of surgery.
The atezolizumab-chemotherapy combination exhibited a safety profile consistent with the known profiles of the individual medicines.
Complete results of IMpassion031 will be presented at a medical meeting and will be discussed with regulatory authorities.
The combination of atezolizumab and nab-paclitaxel is approved in more than 70 countries, including the United States, for treatment of adults with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer whose tumors express PD-L1. Atezolizumab also is approved as monotherapy or as part of combination regimens for certain patients with non-small cell or small cell lung cancer, metastatic urothelial cancer, and unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.