Palazestrant + Ribociclib for Breast Cancer
(OPERA-02 Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a new drug combination for treating advanced breast cancer. It compares palazestrant (a potential new drug) and ribociclib with the current treatment option of letrozole and ribociclib. The researchers seek to determine if the new combination is more effective for individuals who have not yet received any treatment for their advanced breast cancer. Suitable participants have advanced breast cancer that cannot be cured with surgery and have not yet undergone any systemic anti-cancer treatments. As a Phase 3 trial, this study represents the final step before FDA approval, offering participants the opportunity to contribute to potentially groundbreaking treatment advancements.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you cannot have received any prior systemic anti-cancer treatment for advanced breast cancer to participate.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?
Research has shown that the combination of palazestrant and ribociclib is generally well-tolerated. In studies with 72 patients, this treatment did not reveal any new safety concerns. Most participants managed the treatment well, experiencing no unexpected side effects. This suggests that the treatment is considered safe based on current information.
While palazestrant remains under study, ribociclib is already approved for treating breast cancer, providing some confidence in the combination's safety due to ribociclib's well-understood safety profile. However, ongoing trials are essential to ensure the treatment's safety for everyone.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?
Researchers are excited about palazestrant for breast cancer because it offers a fresh approach to treatment with its novel mechanism of action. Unlike standard therapies like letrozole, which target estrogen receptors directly, palazestrant acts as a selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD). This means it not only blocks the receptor but also helps break it down, potentially leading to more effective inhibition of cancer cell growth. Additionally, combining palazestrant with ribociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor, could enhance its effectiveness by further disrupting cancer cell division, offering hope for improved outcomes compared to existing treatments.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for breast cancer?
Studies have shown that combining palazestrant and ribociclib holds promise for treating advanced breast cancer. In earlier research, patients taking this combination experienced an average of 15.5 months before their cancer worsened. This indicates that the treatment helped prevent cancer progression for over a year, on average. Additionally, the clinical benefit rate (CBR), which measures how many people saw their cancer stop growing or shrink, ranged from 79% to 85%. In this trial, participants will receive either palazestrant with ribociclib and a letrozole-matching placebo or letrozole with ribociclib and a palazestrant-matching placebo. These findings suggest that palazestrant with ribociclib could effectively manage breast cancer.12346
Who Is on the Research Team?
Medical Director, MD
Principal Investigator
Olema Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults with ER+/HER2- advanced breast cancer that can't be cured by surgery or radiation. They should have measurable disease, good blood, liver, and kidney function. Women of any menopausal status and men willing to use hormone therapy can join. It's not for those who've had prior systemic anti-cancer treatments.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive either palazestrant with ribociclib or letrozole with ribociclib
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
Long-term follow-up
Participants are monitored for overall survival and progression-free survival
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Palazestrant
- Ribociclib
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Olema Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Lead Sponsor
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Industry Sponsor
Dr. Vas Narasimhan
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Chief Executive Officer since 2018
MD from Harvard Medical School
Dr. Shreeram Aradhye
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Chief Medical Officer since 2021
MD