Subgroup analyses of randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) using high dose chemotherapy (HD) with autologous stem cell support (autoSCT) reveal a potential benefit of HD in patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and in tumors harboring features of HRD (Vollebergh et al, 2011). The phase III part of the neo-TN RCT, compared neo-adjuvant HD with conventional treatment (CONV) in BRCA1-like TNBC.
Patients with cT2-3N0-3M0 TNBC with HRD were randomized between HD or CONV after 3 courses of 2-weekly doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (ddA60C600). CONV treatment consisted of another 3xddAC, or in case of an unfavorable response on MRI a switch to 3 cycles capecitabine800BID14-7/docetaxel75; after an amendment all patients switched to 3xcarboplatinAUC6/paclitaxel80weekly. The HD regimen consisted of a 4th course ddAC and 2 courses of cyclophosphamide3000d1/carboplatin400d1,2/ thiotepa250d2 both followed by autoSCT. Primary outcome was the Neo-adjuvant Response Index (NRI), secondary outcomes included overall (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS).
From 2010 to 2016, 122 patients were randomized (intention-to-treat). Median follow-up is 45 months. There was no significant difference in NRI between HD and CONV (mean NRI 0.78 versus 0.72, range 0-1, p = 0.41 Wilcoxon test). An NRI of > 0.7 was strongly associated with good prognosis (RFS of 97% [95%CI 93%-100%] versus 67% [95%CI 55%-82%] at 4 years). See Table for 4-years OS and RFS comparing HD with CONV. There were no treatment related deaths. However, 7 out of 55 patients who actually received HD did not complete HD mainly because of infections or allergic reactions. 187PHD % (95%CI) CONV % (95%CI) HR (95%CI) p-value All (n = 122) 4-yrs OS 4-yrs RFS 92 (85-99) 92 (85-99) 79 (69-91) 78 (68-89) 0.43 (0.15-1.23) 0.41 (0.15-1.07) 0.12 0.07 Stage III only (n = 35) 4-yrs OS 93 (81-100) 60 (39-93) 0.14 (0.02-1.14) 0.07
No significant efficacy differences were found between HD and CONV. The NRI is of prognostic value. Whether the HD regimen is promising, especially in very high risk BRCA1-like TNBC [HR = 0.14], requires additional data including a comparison with platinum treatment in all control arm patients.
NCT01057069.
The authors.
The Dutch Cancer Foundation (KWF) and by the Schumacher Kramer Foundation.
S.C. Linn: Research grant / Funding (self), research support for patients fees in D-Care study: Amgen; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy: Cergentis; Research grant / Funding (self): Genentech; Advisory / Consultancy: IBM; Research grant / Funding (self): Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution), patients fees in TEAM 2b study: Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): Roche; Research grant / Funding (institution): Tesaro; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Fee for teaching, paid to institution: Bayer. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.