Breast Cancer Study Showed Improved Progression-Free Survival in Advanced HR+, HER2- Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Study Showed Improved Progression-Free Survival in Advanced HR+, HER2- Breast Cancer

A new Phase III breast cancer study, led by Dr. Kümmel, shows promising results for the treatment of advanced HR+, HER2- breast cancer. The so-called postMONARCH study is the first of its kind to investigate the benefit of “treatment beyond progression” with CDK4/6 inhibitors. Patients whose disease had progressed despite prior therapy with CDK4/6 inhibitors and endocrine therapy benefited from continued treatment with abemaciclib. The study recorded a 27% risk reduction for disease progression and demonstrated a significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS)

Study Design and Results

Study Lead: Dr. Kümmel

Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled Phase III study

Treatment: Abemaciclib

Results:

1. Abemaciclib showed a significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS).
2. There was a 27% risk reduction for disease progression.
3. The control arm performed better than expected, but the results confirmed the benefit of continued CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy.

This study shows for the first time that continued treatment with CDK4/6 inhibitors after disease progression can be beneficial.