Hormone + HER2-targeted Therapy for Breast Cancer

(ADEPT Trial)

Recruiting at 34 trial locations

Overseen By Adrienne Waks, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Must be taking: Hormonal therapy

Must not be taking: Investigational agents

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Nursing, Advanced tumors, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Approved in 6 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 18

Duration: 1 year for HER2-directed treatment, 5 years for hormonal therapy

375 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether combining two targeted therapies with hormone therapy can effectively treat certain breast cancers after surgery. It targets HER2-positive breast cancers (where a protein promotes cancer growth) and hormone receptor-positive cancers (which require hormones to grow). Suitable participants are those who recently had surgery for HER2-positive breast cancer and have not yet received chemotherapy for it. The study involves receiving a combination of medications through injections and pills over a year. As a Phase 2 trial, this research measures the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group, allowing participants to contribute to significant advancements in breast cancer treatment.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you must stop any hormonal contraceptive therapy before joining the study.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that using trastuzumab and pertuzumab together has been well-studied for treating breast cancer. Adding pertuzumab to trastuzumab and hormone therapy can improve patient outcomes. These studies have also assessed the safety of this treatment.

For many patients, this combination is easy to manage. Common side effects might include diarrhea and tiredness, but these are usually manageable. Serious side effects occur less frequently. These drugs are already approved for other types of breast cancer, providing extensive safety information.

Hormone therapy is generally well-tolerated and is often used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Some side effects may include hot flashes or mood changes.

Overall, existing research suggests that this combination treatment is relatively safe for most patients. However, discussing personal implications with a doctor is always advisable. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?

Researchers are excited about the combination of pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer because it brings a fresh approach to targeting the HER2 protein, which promotes the growth of cancer cells. Unlike standard treatments that might focus solely on hormone therapy or HER2 inhibition, this combination therapy integrates both strategies, potentially enhancing effectiveness and reducing cancer recurrence. Pertuzumab and trastuzumab, administered together as a fixed-dose injection, streamline the treatment process, making it more convenient for patients. This comprehensive approach not only targets the cancer more precisely but could also lead to better outcomes and improved quality of life for patients.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for hormone receptor positive breast cancer?

In this trial, participants will receive a combination of pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hormonal therapy to treat certain types of breast cancer. Research has shown that combining pertuzumab and trastuzumab with hormonal therapy effectively treats HER2-positive breast cancer, which grows due to an excess of the HER2 protein. These medications have been known to help patients with HER2-positive breast cancer live longer. One study found that adding pertuzumab helped patients remain cancer-free for a longer period. Another study showed that this combination treatment increased the likelihood of completely eliminating cancer, with no signs of cancer found after treatment. This suggests that the treatment may help prevent cancer from returning after surgery. ^{3 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Adrienne Waks, MD

Principal Investigator

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with early-stage hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer who've had surgery. It's open to those who may have received short-term pre-surgery treatment or up to 8 weeks of hormonal therapy post-surgery. Participants must be willing to stop contraceptive hormones and provide tissue samples. Excluded are pregnant/nursing women, those with severe illnesses, previous invasive breast cancers, or anyone on other investigational drugs.

Inclusion Criteria

I have had surgery for my current breast cancer.

I have a small, ER+ (≥ 10%), HER2-negative tumor in addition to my primary HER2 positive tumor.

Both of my breasts have cancers that qualify for the trial.

Exclusion Criteria

I am not pregnant, nursing, or if capable of becoming pregnant, I am willing to use contraception.

I have had breast cancer before.

I am a man not willing to use birth control.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive HER2-directed treatment for 1 year and hormonal therapy for approximately 5 years

1 year for HER2-directed treatment, 5 years for hormonal therapy

18 cycles of 21-day intervals for HER2-directed treatment

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

10 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• ADJUVANT ENDOCRINE THERAPY
• Pertuzumab
• Trastuzumab

Trial Overview The study tests a combination of trastuzumab and pertuzumab (PHESGO) injections plus hormonal therapy as post-surgical treatment for specific breast cancer patients. The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of this combined HER2-directed and endocrine therapy in preventing cancer recurrence.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: PERTUZUMAB + TRASTUZUMAB + ADJUVANT ENDOCRINE THERAPY Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Study treatment will be administered in 21-day (3- week, +/- 3 days) cycles for one year (18 cycles). * Trastuzumab + Pertuzumab SC fixed dose combination * Hormonal therapy- oral, daily per cycle (may add LHRH agonist per investigator discretion)

ADJUVANT ENDOCRINE THERAPY is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada, Japan, China, Switzerland for the following indications:

Approved in European Union as Hormone therapy for:

• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Endometrial cancer

Approved in United States as Endocrine therapy for:

• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Endometrial cancer
• Ovarian cancer

Approved in Canada as Hormone therapy for:

• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Endometrial cancer

Approved in Japan as Endocrine therapy for:

• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Endometrial cancer

Approved in China as Hormone therapy for:

• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer

Approved in Switzerland as Endocrine therapy for:

• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Endometrial cancer

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,128

Recruited

382,000+

Genentech, Inc.

Industry Sponsor

Trials

1,578

Recruited

569,000+

Ashley Magargee

Genentech, Inc.

Chief Executive Officer since 2024

MBA from Harvard University, BA from Princeton University

Levi Garraway

Genentech, Inc.

Chief Medical Officer since 2021

MD, PhD

Published Research Related to This Trial

For low-risk ER+ HER2- breast cancer patients, five years of endocrine therapy (ET) is standard, with Tamoxifen recommended for premenopausal women and aromatase inhibitors (AIs) for postmenopausal women, demonstrating effective management with manageable side effects.

In high-risk patients, combining ET with ovarian function suppression (OFS) and two years of Abemaciclib is advised, while extended ET beyond five years may be beneficial, although the optimal duration for AIs remains unclear.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Appraising Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy in Hormone Receptor Positive HER2-Negative Breast Cancer-A Literature Review. Mata, DGMM., Amir Carmona, C., Eisen, A., et al.[2022]

Adjuvant endocrine therapy is crucial for treating hormone-receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancers, especially in postmenopausal women, as it significantly reduces the risk of recurrence and improves overall survival.

Recent advancements include the use of aromatase inhibitors and extended treatment durations beyond the traditional 5 years, highlighting the importance of tailoring therapy based on tumor characteristics and managing treatment-related symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adjuvant endocrine therapy in postmenopausal women: making treatment choices based on the magnitude of benefit. Burstein, HJ.[2020]

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are more effective than tamoxifen for treating estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)/HER2+ breast cancer, particularly in the adjuvant setting.

Combining HER2-targeted therapy, like trastuzumab, with AIs significantly improves progression-free survival and response rates in postmenopausal women, suggesting a beneficial interaction between HER2 and estrogen receptor signaling pathways.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Role of biologic therapy and chemotherapy in hormone receptor- and HER2-positive breast cancer. Buzdar, AU.[2020]

In a systematic review of six randomized controlled trials involving 5390 patients, both tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors showed similar disease-free survival rates as adjuvant endocrine therapies for HER2-positive, hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer.

The analysis indicated no significant difference in effectiveness between the two treatments, suggesting that either option could be viable for patients, but further large-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adjuvant endocrine therapy in HER2-positive breast cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis. Peleg Hasson, S., Brezis, MR., Shachar, E., et al.[2021]

For postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer, combining endocrine therapy with anti-HER2 therapy may offer a new treatment strategy, especially for those with good performance status and low tumor burden.

This approach could potentially delay the need for chemotherapy, which is often more toxic, by addressing the resistance that HER2 overexpression may cause against endocrine therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A shift in the treatment of hormone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Kemp, Z., Jones, A.[2014]

Endocrine therapy is the first-line treatment for women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer due to its effectiveness and lower toxicity compared to chemotherapy, aiming to maintain quality of life and prolong survival.

Various classes of endocrine therapies, including aromatase inhibitors and selective estrogen modulators, are available, but resistance to these treatments eventually develops, highlighting the need for optimal timing and sequencing of therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Extending the clinical benefit of endocrine therapy for women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer: differentiating mechanisms of action. Glück, S.[2014]

Targeted agents like CDK4/6 inhibitors have improved outcomes for patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer compared to traditional endocrine therapies, but they come with complex and potentially severe adverse events that require careful management.

Despite the increased risk of hematologic toxicities and the need for more frequent physician visits, these side effects are generally manageable without needing to consult specialists, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Management of toxicities associated with targeted therapies for HR-positive metastatic breast cancer: a multidisciplinary approach is the key to success. Cazzaniga, ME., Danesi, R., Girmenia, C., et al.[2020]

In a study of 147 HER2+ metastatic breast cancer patients, those who received concurrent endocrine therapy (ET) alongside first-line dual anti-HER2 therapy showed significantly improved 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to those who did not receive ET.

The addition of ET did not lead to an increase in adverse events, suggesting that it is a safe and effective option for enhancing treatment outcomes in HER2+/HR+ patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Addition of endocrine therapy to dual anti-HER2 targeted therapy in initial treatment of HER2 + /HR + metastatic breast cancer. Loft, M., Lok, SW., De Boer, R., et al.[2023]

Endocrine therapies are the primary treatment for hormone-dependent breast cancer, but many patients face tumor relapse due to acquired resistance, particularly in cases where the tumor overexpresses HER2, which is found in about 10% of all breast cancer cases.

The review highlights the need for new therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance to endocrine therapies, especially in ER+/HER2+ tumors, as current treatments often involve a combination of HER2-targeted therapies and endocrine treatments, which may have different interactions and efficacy profiles.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 and endocrine resistance in hormone-dependent breast cancer. Alataki, A., Dowsett, M.[2022]

Citations

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PERJETA® (pertuzumab) Adjuvant Outcomes | HCP PERJETA® (pertuzumab) is indicated for use in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel for the treatment of adults with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer ...

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PERJETA® (pertuzumab) for HER2+ Metastatic Outcomes | HCP 32% reduction in the risk of death vs placebo + Herceptin + docetaxel · Median follow-up was 49.5 months in the PERJETA-treated group and 50.6 months in the ...

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Adjuvant Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab in Early HER2 ... The addition of pertuzumab to chemotherapy and trastuzumab as adjuvant treatment improved outcomes among patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer.