Key clinical point: Switch to fulvestrant + palbociclib from aromatase inhibitor (AI) + palbociclib improved progression-free survival (PFS) without increasing toxicity in patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2−) breast cancer (BC) and high levels of ESR1 mutation in the blood (b ESR1mut).
Major finding: Median PFS improved significantly in the fulvestrant + palbociclib vs AI + palbociclib group (stratified hazard ratio 0.61; 2-sided P = .0040). The rates of most common grade ≥3 adverse events, such as neutropenia (44.3% and 41.7%, respectively) and lymphopenia (4.5% and 3.6%, respectively), were similar in the fulvestrant + palbociclib and AI + palbociclib groups.
Study details : Findings are from the phase 3, PADA-1 trial including 172 patients with ER+HER2− advanced BC, rising b ESR1mut, and no synchronous disease progression with first-line AI + palbociclib who were randomly assigned to continue AI + palbociclib or switch to fulvestrant + palbociclib.
Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer. Some authors declared receiving grants, honoraria, consulting fees, or travel support, or having other ties with several sources, including Pfizer.
Source: Bidard FC et al. Switch to fulvestrant and palbociclib versus no switch in advanced breast cancer with rising ESR1 mutation during aromatase inhibitor and palbociclib therapy (PADA-1): A randomised, open-label, multicentre, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2022 (Sep 29). Doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(22)00555-1