Breast cancer, ER-positive

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Section editor transclusions Note: these are biomarker-specific regimens, please see the main breast cancer page for other regimens.

80 regimens on this page
108 variants on this page


Guidelines

ASCO

NCCN


Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy

Anastrozole monotherapy

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Regimen

Study Evidence Efficacy
Ellis et al. 2011 (ACOSOG Z1031) Screening Phase II cRR: 69% (95% CI, 60-77)

Note: ACOSOG Z1031 was randomized but with the intent to select candidates for phase III trials; efficacy comparisons were not made.

Endocrine therapy

16- to 18-week course

Subsequent treatment

  • Surgery

References

  1. ACOSOG Z1031: Ellis MJ, Suman VJ, Hoog J, Lin L, Snider J, Prat A, Parker JS, Luo J, DeSchryver K, Allred DC, Esserman LJ, Unzeitig GW, Margenthaler J, Babiera GV, Marcom PK, Guenther JM, Watson MA, Leitch M, Hunt K, Olson JA. Randomized phase II neoadjuvant comparison between letrozole, anastrozole, and exemestane for postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-rich stage 2 to 3 breast cancer: clinical and biomarker outcomes and predictive value of the baseline PAM50-based intrinsic subtype--ACOSOG Z1031. J Clin Oncol. 2011 Jun 10;29(17):2342-9. Epub 2011 May 9. link to original article link to PMC article contains verified protocol PubMed

Anastrozole & Goserelin

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Masuda et al. 2012 (STAGE) Phase III Goserelin & Tamoxifen Superior RR

Endocrine therapy

24-week course

Subsequent treatment

  • Surgery

References

  1. STAGE: Masuda N, Sagara Y, Kinoshita T, Iwata H, Nakamura S, Yanagita Y, Nishimura R, Iwase H, Kamigaki S, Takei H, Noguchi S. Neoadjuvant anastrozole versus tamoxifen in patients receiving goserelin for premenopausal breast cancer (STAGE): a double-blind, randomised phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2012 Apr;13(4):345-52. Epub 2012 Jan 20. link to original article contains protocol PubMed

Goserelin & Tamoxifen

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Masuda et al. 2012 (STAGE) Phase III Goserelin & Tamoxifen Inferior RR

Endocrine therapy

24-week course

Subsequent treatment

  • Surgery

References

  1. STAGE: Masuda N, Sagara Y, Kinoshita T, Iwata H, Nakamura S, Yanagita Y, Nishimura R, Iwase H, Kamigaki S, Takei H, Noguchi S. Neoadjuvant anastrozole versus tamoxifen in patients receiving goserelin for premenopausal breast cancer (STAGE): a double-blind, randomised phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2012 Apr;13(4):345-52. Epub 2012 Jan 20. link to original article contains protocol PubMed

Letrozole monotherapy

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Eiermann et al. 2001 (P024)) Phase III Tamoxifen Superior ORR
Ellis et al. 2011 (ACOSOG Z1031) Screening Phase II cRR: 75% (95% CI, 66-82)

Note: ACOSOG Z1031 gave a total treatment duration of 16 to 18 weeks, which is approximately 4 months. Also, this trial was randomized but with the intent to select candidates for phase III trials; efficacy comparisons were not made.

Endocrine therapy

4-month course

Subsequent treatment

  • Surgery

References

  1. Eiermann W, Paepke S, Appfelstaedt J, Llombart-Cussac A, Eremin J, Vinholes J, Mauriac L, Ellis M, Lassus M, Chaudri-Ross HA, Dugan M, Borgs M; Letrozole Neo-Adjuvant Breast Cancer Study Group. Preoperative treatment of postmenopausal breast cancer patients with letrozole: A randomized double-blind multicenter study. Ann Oncol. 2001 Nov;12(11):1527-32. link to original article contains protocol PubMed
  2. Ellis MJ, Suman VJ, Hoog J, Lin L, Snider J, Prat A, Parker JS, Luo J, DeSchryver K, Allred DC, Esserman LJ, Unzeitig GW, Margenthaler J, Babiera GV, Marcom PK, Guenther JM, Watson MA, Leitch M, Hunt K, Olson JA. Randomized phase II neoadjuvant comparison between letrozole, anastrozole, and exemestane for postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-rich stage 2 to 3 breast cancer: clinical and biomarker outcomes and predictive value of the baseline PAM50-based intrinsic subtype--ACOSOG Z1031. J Clin Oncol. 2011 Jun 10;29(17):2342-9. Epub 2011 May 9. link to original article link to PMC article contains verified protocol PubMed

Neoadjuvant response criteria

Clinical response rate (cRR)

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Although fairly dated, some trials such as ACOSOG Z1031 make use of the WHO criteria for response to neoadjuvant therapy. Included here primarily for historical purposes.

References

  1. Miller AB, Hoogstraten B, Staquet M, Winkler A. Reporting results of cancer treatment. Cancer. 1981 Jan 1;47(1):207-14. link to original article PubMed

Miller-Payne scoring system

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  • Grade 1: No change or some changes to individual malignant cells, but no reduction in overall cellularity
  • Grade 2: Minor loss of tumor cells (up to 30%), but overall cellularity still high
  • Grade 3: An estimated 30 to 90% reduction in the number of tumor cells
  • Grade 4: Marked disappearance of tumor cells such that only small clusters or widely dispersed individual cells remain (loss of greater than 90% of tumor cells)
  • Grade 5: No invasive cancer cells identifiable in sections from the site of the tumor (carcinoma in situ may be present)

References

  1. Ogston KN, Miller ID, Payne S, Hutcheon AW, Sarkar TK, Smith I, Schofield A, Heys SD. A new histological grading system to assess response of breast cancers to primary chemotherapy: prognostic significance and survival. Breast. 2003 Oct;12(5):320-7. link to original article PubMed

Residual cancer burden (RCB)

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  • The RCB is calculated as follows: RCB = 1.4 (finv*dprim)0.17 + [4(1 - 0.75LN)dmet]0.17
    • where dprim is derived from the bidimensional diameters of the primary tumor bed in the resected specimen, finv is the proportion of the primary tumor bed that contains invasive carcinoma, LN is the number of axillary lymph nodes containing metastatic carcinoma, and dmet is the diameter of the largest metastasis in an axillary lymph node.
    • The cut-off points are 1.36 and 3.28.

References

  1. Symmans WF, Peintinger F, Hatzis C, Rajan R, Kuerer H, Valero V, Assad L, Poniecka A, Hennessy B, Green M, Buzdar AU, Singletary SE, Hortobagyi GN, Pusztai L. Measurement of residual breast cancer burden to predict survival after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Oct 1;25(28):4414-22. Epub 2007 Sep 4. link to original article PubMed

Residual disease in breast and nodes (RDBN)

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  • Level 1: pCR in breast and nodes with or without in situ carcinoma
  • Levels 2 to 4: Residual disease, calculated as 0.2 (residual breast tumor size in cm) + index of involved nodes (0 for no positive nodes, 1 for 1 to 4 positive nodes, 2 for 5 to 7 positive nodes, and 3 for 8 positive nodes) + the Scarff–Bloom–Richardson grade (1, 2, or 3). The cut-off points are 3 and 4.3.

References

  1. Chollet P, Abrial C, Durando X, Thivat E, Tacca O, Mouret-Reynier MA, Leheurteur M, Kwiatkowski F, Dauplat J, Penault-Llorca F. A new prognostic classification after primary chemotherapy for breast cancer: residual disease in breast and nodes (RDBN). Cancer J. 2008 Mar-Apr;14(2):128-32. link to original article PubMed

Sataloff's classification

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  • Breast:
    • T-A: Total or nearly total therapeutic effect
    • T-B: Greater than 50% therapeutic effect
    • T-C: Less than 50% therapeutic effect
    • T-D: No therapeutic effect
  • Lymph node:
    • N-A: Therapeutic effect but no metastasis
    • N-B: No metastasis, no therapeutic effect
    • N-C: Therapeutic effect but metastasis
    • N-D: Metastasis, no therapeutic effect

References

  1. Sataloff DM, Mason BA, Prestipino AJ, Seinige UL, Lieber CP, Baloch Z. Pathologic response to induction chemotherapy in locally advanced carcinoma of the breast: a determinant of outcome. J Am Coll Surg. 1995 Mar;180(3):297-306. PubMed

Tumor response ratio

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Calculated as follows: Residual breast disease observed upon pathologic examination divided by the size of the tumor on the pre-neoadjuvant therapy image.

  • TRR = 0: pathologic complete response (pCR)
  • TRR greater than 0 up to 0.4: strong partial response
  • TRR greater than 0.4 up to 1.0: weak partial response (WPR)
  • TRR greater than 1.0: tumor growth

References

  1. Miller M, Ottesen RA, Niland JC, Kruper L, Chen SL, Vito C. Tumor response ratio predicts overall survival in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Ann Surg Oncol. 2014 Oct;21(10):3317-23. Epub 2014 Jul 25. link to original article PubMed

ypTNM staging

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This system is proprietary to the AJCC. Please visit their site or consult the AJCC Manual for further details.

Adjuvant endocrine therapy

Anastrozole monotherapy

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Variant #1, 3-year course

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy Toxicity
Kaufmann et al. 2007 (ARNO 95) Phase III See link See link
Dubsky et al. 2012 (ABCSG-8) Phase III See link See link
Tjan-Heijnen et al. 2017 (DATA) Phase III 6 y of anastrozole Might have inferior DFS Less toxic
De Placido et al. 2018 (FATA-GIM3) Phase III See link See link

Note: this is a component of a sequential treatment protocol; to our knowledge there are no references to support using it as a stand-alone treatment.

Preceding treatment

Endocrine therapy

3-year course, for a total of 5 to 6 years of hormonal therapy

Variant #2, 5-year course

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Howell et al. 2005 (ATAC) Phase III Anastrozole & Tamoxifen Not reported
Tamoxifen Seems to have superior DFS
Goss et al. 2013 (NCIC CTG MA.27) Phase III Exemestane Seems not superior
De Placido et al. 2018 (FATA-GIM3) Phase III Tamoxifen x 2 y, then AI x 3 y Seems not superior

Endocrine therapy

5-year course of therapy

Variant #3, 6-year course

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy Toxicity
Tjan-Heijnen et al. 2017 (DATA) Phase III 3 y of anastrozole Might have superior DFS More toxic

Note: this is a component of a sequential treatment protocol; to our knowledge there are no references to support using it as a stand-alone treatment.

Preceding treatment

Endocrine therapy

6-year course of therapy

References

  1. ATAC: Howell A, Cuzick J, Baum M, Buzdar A, Dowsett M, Forbes JF, Hoctin-Boes G, Houghton J, Locker GY, Tobias JS; ATAC Trialists' Group. Results of the ATAC (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination) trial after completion of 5 years' adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. Lancet. 2005 Jan 1-7;365(9453):60-2. link to original article PubMed
    1. Update: Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) Trialists' Group, Forbes JF, Cuzick J, Buzdar A, Howell A, Tobias JS, Baum M. Effect of anastrozole and tamoxifen as adjuvant treatment for early-stage breast cancer: 100-month analysis of the ATAC trial. Lancet Oncol. 2008 Jan;9(1):45-53. link to original article PubMed
    2. Update: Cuzick J, Sestak I, Baum M, Buzdar A, Howell A, Dowsett M, Forbes JF; ATAC/LATTE investigators. Effect of anastrozole and tamoxifen as adjuvant treatment for early-stage breast cancer: 10-year analysis of the ATAC trial. Lancet Oncol. 2010 Dec;11(12):1135-41. link to original article PubMed
  2. ARNO 95: Kaufmann M, Jonat W, Hilfrich J, Eidtmann H, Gademann G, Zuna I, von Minckwitz G. Improved overall survival in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer after anastrozole initiated after treatment with tamoxifen compared with continued tamoxifen: the ARNO 95 Study. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Jul 1;25(19):2664-70. Epub 2007 Jun 11. link to original article PubMed
  3. Dubsky PC, Jakesz R, Mlineritsch B, Pöstlberger S, Samonigg H, Kwasny W, Tausch C, Stöger H, Haider K, Fitzal F, Singer CF, Stierer M, Sevelda P, Luschin-Ebengreuth G, Taucher S, Rudas M, Bartsch R, Steger GG, Greil R, Filipcic L, Gnant M. Tamoxifen and anastrozole as a sequencing strategy: a randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal patients with endocrine-responsive early breast cancer from the Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Mar 1;30(7):722-8. Epub 2012 Jan 23. link to original article PubMed
  4. NCIC CTG MA.27: Goss PE, Ingle JN, Pritchard KI, Ellis MJ, Sledge GW, Budd GT, Rabaglio M, Ansari RH, Johnson DB, Tozer R, D'Souza DP, Chalchal H, Spadafora S, Stearns V, Perez EA, Liedke PE, Lang I, Elliott C, Gelmon KA, Chapman JA, Shepherd LE. Exemestane versus anastrozole in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer: NCIC CTG MA.27--a randomized controlled phase III trial. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Apr 10;31(11):1398-404. Epub 2013 Jan 28. link to original article contains verified protocol link to PMC article PubMed
  5. DATA: Tjan-Heijnen VCG, van Hellemond IEG, Peer PGM, Swinkels ACP, Smorenburg CH, van der Sangen MJC, Kroep JR, De Graaf H, Honkoop AH, Erdkamp FLG, van den Berkmortel FWPJ, de Boer M, de Roos WK, Linn SC, Imholz ALT, Seynaeve CM; Dutch Breast Cancer Research Group (BOOG) for the DATA Investigators. Extended adjuvant aromatase inhibition after sequential endocrine therapy (DATA): a randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2017 Nov;18(11):1502-1511. Epub 2017 Oct 12. Erratum in: Lancet Oncol. 2017 Nov;18(11):e642. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
  6. FATA-GIM3: De Placido S, Gallo C, De Laurentiis M, Bisagni G, Arpino G, Sarobba MG, Riccardi F, Russo A, Del Mastro L, Cogoni AA, Cognetti F, Gori S, Foglietta J, Frassoldati A, Amoroso D, Laudadio L, Moscetti L, Montemurro F, Verusio C, Bernardo A, Lorusso V, Gravina A, Moretti G, Lauria R, Lai A, Mocerino C, Rizzo S, Nuzzo F, Carlini P, Perrone F; GIM Investigators. Adjuvant anastrozole versus exemestane versus letrozole, upfront or after 2 years of tamoxifen, in endocrine-sensitive breast cancer (FATA-GIM3): a randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2018 Apr;19(4):474-485. Epub 2018 Feb 23. Erratum in: Lancet Oncol. 2018 Apr;19(4):e184. link to original article contains protocol PubMed

Exemestane monotherapy

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Variant #1, 2- to 3-year course

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Coombes et al. 2004 (IES) Phase III See link See link
van de Velde et al. 2011 (TEAM) Phase III See link See link

Note: this is a component of a sequential treatment protocol; to our knowledge there are no references to support using it as a stand-alone treatment. The IES gave a range of 2 to 3 years of therapy. TEAM gave a range of 2 to 2.5 years of therapy.

Preceding treatment

Endocrine therapy

2 to 3 years, for a total of 5 years of hormonal therapy

Variant #2, 3-year course

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
De Placido et al. 2018 (FATA-GIM3) Phase III See link See link

Note: this is a component of a sequential treatment protocol; to our knowledge there are no references to support using it as a stand-alone treatment.

Preceding treatment

Endocrine therapy

3-year course, for a total of 5 years of hormonal therapy

Variant #3, 5-year course

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Mamounas et al. 2008 (NSABP B-33) Phase III Placebo Superior RFS
Goss et al. 2013 (NCIC CTG MA.27) Phase III Anastrozole Seems not superior
De Placido et al. 2018 (FATA-GIM3) Phase III Tamoxifen x 2 y, then AI x 3 y Seems not superior

Preceding treatment

Endocrine therapy

5-year course of therapy

Variant #4, 5 years, with OFS

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Pagani et al. 2014 (TEXT/SOFT) Phase III Tamoxifen Superior DFS
Tamoxifen & OFS Superior DFS

OFS: Ovarian Function Suppression These regimens are intended for premenopausal patients. Pagani et al. 2014 report on two trials, but only SOFT had the tamoxifen only arm.

Endocrine therapy

  • Exemestane (Aromasin) 25 mg PO once per day
  • Ovarian Suppression as follows:
    • TEXT: Triptorelin (Trelstar LA) 3.75 mg IM every 28 days
      • "Bilateral oophorectomy or ovarian irradiation was allowed after at least 6 months of triptorelin."
    • SOFT: Choice of mechanism left to investigators

5-year course of therapy

References

  1. IES: Coombes RC, Hall E, Gibson LJ, Paridaens R, Jassem J, Delozier T, Jones SE, Alvarez I, Bertelli G, Ortmann O, Coates AS, Bajetta E, Dodwell D, Coleman RE, Fallowfield LJ, Mickiewicz E, Andersen J, Lønning PE, Cocconi G, Stewart A, Stuart N, Snowdon CF, Carpentieri M, Massimini G, Bliss JM, van de Velde C; Intergroup Exemestane Study. A randomized trial of exemestane after two to three years of tamoxifen therapy in postmenopausal women with primary breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2004 Mar 11;350(11):1081-92. link to original article PubMed
    1. Update: Coombes RC, Kilburn LS, Snowdon CF, Paridaens R, Coleman RE, Jones SE, Jassem J, Van de Velde CJ, Delozier T, Alvarez I, Del Mastro L, Ortmann O, Diedrich K, Coates AS, Bajetta E, Holmberg SB, Dodwell D, Mickiewicz E, Andersen J, Lønning PE, Cocconi G, Forbes J, Castiglione M, Stuart N, Stewart A, Fallowfield LJ, Bertelli G, Hall E, Bogle RG, Carpentieri M, Colajori E, Subar M, Ireland E, Bliss JM; Intergroup Exemestane Study. Survival and safety of exemestane versus tamoxifen after 2-3 years' tamoxifen treatment (Intergroup Exemestane Study): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2007 Feb 17;369(9561):559-70. link to original article PubMed
    2. Update: Bliss JM, Kilburn LS, Coleman RE, Forbes JF, Coates AS, Jones SE, Jassem J, Delozier T, Andersen J, Paridaens R, van de Velde CJ, Lønning PE, Morden J, Reise J, Cisar L, Menschik T, Coombes RC. Disease-related outcomes with long-term follow-up: an updated analysis of the Intergroup Exemestane Study. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Mar 1;30(7):709-17. Epub 2011 Oct 31. link to original article PubMed
  2. NSABP B-33: Mamounas EP, Jeong JH, Wickerham DL, Smith RE, Ganz PA, Land SR, Eisen A, Fehrenbacher L, Farrar WB, Atkins JN, Pajon ER, Vogel VG, Kroener JF, Hutchins LF, Robidoux A, Hoehn JL, Ingle JN, Geyer CE Jr, Costantino JP, Wolmark N. Benefit from exemestane as extended adjuvant therapy after 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen: intention-to-treat analysis of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast And Bowel Project B-33 trial. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Apr 20;26(12):1965-71. Epub 2008 Mar 10. link to original article PubMed
  3. TEAM: van de Velde CJ, Rea D, Seynaeve C, Putter H, Hasenburg A, Vannetzel JM, Paridaens R, Markopoulos C, Hozumi Y, Hille ET, Kieback DG, Asmar L, Smeets J, Nortier JW, Hadji P, Bartlett JM, Jones SE. Adjuvant tamoxifen and exemestane in early breast cancer (TEAM): a randomised phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2011 Jan 22;377(9762):321-31. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
    1. Update: Derks MGM, Blok EJ, Seynaeve C, Nortier JWR, Kranenbarg EM, Liefers GJ, Putter H, Kroep JR, Rea D, Hasenburg A, Markopoulos C, Paridaens R, Smeets JBE, Dirix LY, van de Velde CJH. Adjuvant tamoxifen and exemestane in women with postmenopausal early breast cancer (TEAM): 10-year follow-up of a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2017 Sep;18(9):1211-1220. Epub 2017 Jul 18. link to original article PubMed
  4. NCIC CTG MA.27: Goss PE, Ingle JN, Pritchard KI, Ellis MJ, Sledge GW, Budd GT, Rabaglio M, Ansari RH, Johnson DB, Tozer R, D'Souza DP, Chalchal H, Spadafora S, Stearns V, Perez EA, Liedke PE, Lang I, Elliott C, Gelmon KA, Chapman JA, Shepherd LE. Exemestane versus anastrozole in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer: NCIC CTG MA.27--a randomized controlled phase III trial. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Apr 10;31(11):1398-404. Epub 2013 Jan 28. link to original article contains verified protocol link to PMC article PubMed
  5. TEXT/SOFT: Pagani O, Regan MM, Walley BA, Fleming GF, Colleoni M, Láng I, Gomez HL, Tondini C, Burstein HJ, Perez EA, Ciruelos E, Stearns V, Bonnefoi HR, Martino S, Geyer CE Jr, Pinotti G, Puglisi F, Crivellari D, Ruhstaller T, Winer EP, Rabaglio-Poretti M, Maibach R, Ruepp B, Giobbie-Hurder A, Price KN, Bernhard J, Luo W, Ribi K, Viale G, Coates AS, Gelber RD, Goldhirsch A, Francis PA; TEXT and SOFT Investigators; International Breast Cancer Study Group. Adjuvant exemestane with ovarian suppression in premenopausal breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2014 Jul 10;371(2):107-18. Epub 2014 Jun 1. link to original article contains verified protocol link to PMC article PubMed
  6. FATA-GIM3: De Placido S, Gallo C, De Laurentiis M, Bisagni G, Arpino G, Sarobba MG, Riccardi F, Russo A, Del Mastro L, Cogoni AA, Cognetti F, Gori S, Foglietta J, Frassoldati A, Amoroso D, Laudadio L, Moscetti L, Montemurro F, Verusio C, Bernardo A, Lorusso V, Gravina A, Moretti G, Lauria R, Lai A, Mocerino C, Rizzo S, Nuzzo F, Carlini P, Perrone F; GIM Investigators. Adjuvant anastrozole versus exemestane versus letrozole, upfront or after 2 years of tamoxifen, in endocrine-sensitive breast cancer (FATA-GIM3): a randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2018 Apr;19(4):474-485. Epub 2018 Feb 23. Erratum in: Lancet Oncol. 2018 Apr;19(4):e184. link to original article contains protocol PubMed

Letrozole monotherapy

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Variant #1, 2 years of therapy

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Breast International Group (BIG) 1-98 Collaborative Group 2006 Phase III See link See link

Note: this is a component of a sequential treatment protocol; to our knowledge there are no references to support using it as a stand-alone treatment.

Endocrine therapy

2-year course

Treatment followed by tamoxifen.

Variant #2, 3 years of therapy

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Breast International Group (BIG) 1-98 Collaborative Group 2006 Phase III See link See link
De Placido et al. 2018 (FATA-GIM3) Phase III See link See link

Note: this is a component of a sequential treatment protocol; to our knowledge there are no references to support using it as a stand-alone treatment.

Preceding treatment

Endocrine therapy

3-year course, for a total of 5 years of hormonal therapy

Variant #3, 5 years of therapy

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy Toxicity
Goss et al. 2003 (NCIC CTG MA.17) Phase III Placebo Superior DFS No clinical difference in QoL
Breast International Group (BIG) 1-98 Collaborative Group 2006 Phase III Letrozole, then Tamoxifen Seems not superior (*)
Tamoxifen Superior OS (*)
Tamoxifen, then Letrozole Seems not superior (*)
Goss et al. 2016 (NCIC CTG MA.17R) Phase III Letrozole x 10y Inferior DFS No clinical difference in QoL
De Placido et al. 2018 (FATA-GIM3) Phase III Tamoxifen x 2 y, then AI x 3 y Seems not superior

Efficacy reported for BIG 1-98 based on the 2011 update.

Preceding treatment

  • NCIC CTG MA.17: Most patients received 5 years of tamoxifen therapy prior to starting letrozole
  • NCIC CTG MA.17R: Letrozole for 5 years

Endocrine therapy

5-year course of therapy

Variant #4, 10 years of therapy

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy Toxicity
Goss et al. 2016 (NCIC CTG MA.17R) Phase III Letrozole x 5y Superior DFS No clinical difference in QoL

Continuation of treatment was started within 2 years of the completion of the first 5 years of treatment.

Preceding treatment

  • Letrozole for 5 years

Endocrine therapy

5 additional years for a total 10-year course of therapy

References

  1. NCIC CTG MA.17: Goss PE, Ingle JN, Martino S, Robert NJ, Muss HB, Piccart MJ, Castiglione M, Tu D, Shepherd LE, Pritchard KI, Livingston RB, Davidson NE, Norton L, Perez EA, Abrams JS, Therasse P, Palmer MJ, Pater JL. A randomized trial of letrozole in postmenopausal women after five years of tamoxifen therapy for early-stage breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2003 Nov 6;349(19):1793-802. Epub 2003 Oct 9. link to original article PubMed
    1. Update: Goss PE, Ingle JN, Martino S, Robert NJ, Muss HB, Piccart MJ, Castiglione M, Tu D, Shepherd LE, Pritchard KI, Livingston RB, Davidson NE, Norton L, Perez EA, Abrams JS, Cameron DA, Palmer MJ, Pater JL. Randomized trial of letrozole following tamoxifen as extended adjuvant therapy in receptor-positive breast cancer: updated findings from NCIC CTG MA.17. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2005 Sep 7;97(17):1262-71. link to original article PubMed
    2. QoL analysis: Whelan TJ, Goss PE, Ingle JN, Pater JL, Tu D, Pritchard K, Liu S, Shepherd LE, Palmer M, Robert NJ, Martino S, Muss HB. Assessment of quality of life in MA.17: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of letrozole after 5 years of tamoxifen in postmenopausal women. J Clin Oncol. 2005 Oct 1;23(28):6931-40. Epub 2005 Sep 12. link to original article PubMed
    3. Update: Muss HB, Tu D, Ingle JN, Martino S, Robert NJ, Pater JL, Whelan TJ, Palmer MJ, Piccart MJ, Shepherd LE, Pritchard KI, He Z, Goss PE. Efficacy, toxicity, and quality of life in older women with early-stage breast cancer treated with letrozole or placebo after 5 years of tamoxifen: NCIC CTG intergroup trial MA.17. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Apr 20;26(12):1956-64. Epub 2008 Mar 10. link to original article PubMed
    4. Subgroup analysis: Goss PE, Ingle JN, Pater JL, Martino S, Robert NJ, Muss HB, Piccart MJ, Castiglione M, Shepherd LE, Pritchard KI, Livingston RB, Davidson NE, Norton L, Perez EA, Abrams JS, Cameron DA, Palmer MJ, Tu D. Late extended adjuvant treatment with letrozole improves outcome in women with early-stage breast cancer who complete 5 years of tamoxifen. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Apr 20;26(12):1948-55. Epub 2008 Mar 10. link to original article PubMed
    5. Update: Jin H, Tu D, Zhao N, Shepherd LE, Goss PE. Longer-term outcomes of letrozole versus placebo after 5 years of tamoxifen in the NCIC CTG MA.17 trial: analyses adjusting for treatment crossover. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Mar 1;30(7):718-21. Epub 2011 Oct 31. link to original article link to PMC article PubMed
  2. BIG 1-98: Breast International Group (BIG) 1-98 Collaborative Group, Thürlimann B, Keshaviah A, Coates AS, Mouridsen H, Mauriac L, Forbes JF, Paridaens R, Castiglione-Gertsch M, Gelber RD, Rabaglio M, Smith I, Wardley A, Price KN, Goldhirsch A. A comparison of letrozole and tamoxifen in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2005 Dec 29;353(26):2747-57. Erratum in: N Engl J Med. 2006 May 18;354(20):2200. Wardly, Andrew [corrected to Wardley, Andrew ]. link to original article PubMed
    1. Update: Coates AS, Keshaviah A, Thürlimann B, Mouridsen H, Mauriac L, Forbes JF, Paridaens R, Castiglione-Gertsch M, Gelber RD, Colleoni M, Láng I, Del Mastro L, Smith I, Chirgwin J, Nogaret JM, Pienkowski T, Wardley A, Jakobsen EH, Price KN, Goldhirsch A. Five years of letrozole compared with tamoxifen as initial adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with endocrine-responsive early breast cancer: update of study BIG 1-98. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Feb 10;25(5):486-92. Epub 2007 Jan 2. link to original article PubMed
    2. Subgroup analysis: Rasmussen BB, Regan MM, Lykkesfeldt AE, Dell'Orto P, Del Curto B, Henriksen KL, Mastropasqua MG, Price KN, Méry E, Lacroix-Triki M, Braye S, Altermatt HJ, Gelber RD, Castiglione-Gertsch M, Goldhirsch A, Gusterson BA, Thürlimann B, Coates AS, Viale G; BIG 1-98 Collaborative and International Breast Cancer Study Groups. Adjuvant letrozole versus tamoxifen according to centrally-assessed ERBB2 status for postmenopausal women with endocrine-responsive early breast cancer: supplementary results from the BIG 1-98 randomised trial. Lancet Oncol. 2008 Jan;9(1):23-8. Epub 2007 Dec 20. link to original article PubMed
    3. Subgroup analysis: Crivellari D, Sun Z, Coates AS, Price KN, Thürlimann B, Mouridsen H, Mauriac L, Forbes JF, Paridaens RJ, Castiglione-Gertsch M, Gelber RD, Colleoni M, Láng I, Del Mastro L, Gladieff L, Rabaglio M, Smith IE, Chirgwin JH, Goldhirsch A. Letrozole compared with tamoxifen for elderly patients with endocrine-responsive early breast cancer: the BIG 1-98 trial. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Apr 20;26(12):1972-9. Epub 2008 Mar 10. link to original article PubMed
    4. Update: Regan MM, Neven P, Giobbie-Hurder A, Goldhirsch A, Ejlertsen B, Mauriac L, Forbes JF, Smith I, Láng I, Wardley A, Rabaglio M, Price KN, Gelber RD, Coates AS, Thürlimann B; BIG 1-98 Collaborative Group; International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBCSG). Assessment of letrozole and tamoxifen alone and in sequence for postmenopausal women with steroid hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: the BIG 1-98 randomised clinical trial at 8·1 years median follow-up. Lancet Oncol. 2011 Nov;12(12):1101-8. link to original article link to PMC article PubMed
  3. ANZ0501 LATER: Zdenkowski N, Forbes JF, Boyle FM, Kannourakis G, Gill PG, Bayliss E, Saunders C, Della-Fiorentina S, Kling N, Campbell I, Mann GB, Coates AS, Gebski V, Davies L, Thornton R, Reaby L, Cuzick J, Green M; Australia and New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group. Observation versus late reintroduction of letrozole as adjuvant endocrine therapy for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (ANZ0501 LATER): an open-label randomised, controlled trial. Ann Oncol. 2016 May;27(5):806-12. Epub 2016 Feb 9. link to original article PubMed
  4. NCIC CTG MA.17R: Goss PE, Ingle JN, Pritchard KI, Robert NJ, Muss H, Gralow J, Gelmon K, Whelan T, Strasser-Weippl K, Rubin S, Sturtz K, Wolff AC, Winer E, Hudis C, Stopeck A, Beck JT, Kaur JS, Whelan K, Tu D, Parulekar WR. Extending aromatase-inhibitor adjuvant therapy to 10 Years. N Engl J Med. 2016 Jul 21;375(3):209-19. Epub 2016 Jun 5. link to original article link to PMC article contains verified protocol PubMed
    1. QoL analysis: Lemieux J, Brundage MD, Parulekar WR, Goss PE, Ingle JN, Pritchard KI, Celano P, Muss H, Gralow J, Strasser-Weippl K, Whelan K, Tu D, Whelan TJ. Quality of life from Canadian Cancer Trials Group MA.17R: a randomized trial of extending adjuvant letrozole to 10 years. J Clin Oncol. 2018 Feb 20;36(6):563-571. Epub 2018 Jan 12. link to original article PubMed
  5. BOOG 2006-05: Blok EJ, Kroep JR, Meershoek-Klein Kranenbarg E, Duijm-de Carpentier M, Putter H, van den Bosch J, Maartense E, van Leeuwen-Stok AE, Liefers GJ, Nortier JWR, Rutgers EJT, van de Velde CJH; IDEAL Study Group. Optimal duration of extended adjuvant endocrine therapy for early breast cancer; results of the IDEAL trial (BOOG 2006-05). J Natl Cancer Inst. 2018 Jan 1;110(1). Epub 2017 Aug 23. link to original article PubMed
  6. FATA-GIM3: De Placido S, Gallo C, De Laurentiis M, Bisagni G, Arpino G, Sarobba MG, Riccardi F, Russo A, Del Mastro L, Cogoni AA, Cognetti F, Gori S, Foglietta J, Frassoldati A, Amoroso D, Laudadio L, Moscetti L, Montemurro F, Verusio C, Bernardo A, Lorusso V, Gravina A, Moretti G, Lauria R, Lai A, Mocerino C, Rizzo S, Nuzzo F, Carlini P, Perrone F; GIM Investigators. Adjuvant anastrozole versus exemestane versus letrozole, upfront or after 2 years of tamoxifen, in endocrine-sensitive breast cancer (FATA-GIM3): a randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2018 Apr;19(4):474-485. Epub 2018 Feb 23. Erratum in: Lancet Oncol. 2018 Apr;19(4):e184. link to original article contains protocol PubMed

Leuprolide monotherapy

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Schmid et al. 2007 (TABLE) Phase III CMF Superior OS

Endocrine therapy

Every 3 months x 2 years

References

  1. TABLE: Schmid P, Untch M, Kossé V, Bondar G, Vassiljev L, Tarutinov V, Lehmann U, Maubach L, Meurer J, Wallwiener D, Possinger K. Leuprorelin acetate every-3-months depot versus cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil as adjuvant treatment in premenopausal patients with node-positive breast cancer: the TABLE study. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Jun 20;25(18):2509-15. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed

Observation

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Rydén et al. 2005 (SBII:2pre) Phase III (C) Tamoxifen Inferior RFS
Hutchins et al. 2005 (INT-0102) Phase III (C) Tamoxifen Seems not superior

No further treatment. Used as a comparator arm.

Preceding treatment

  • INT-0102: CAF x 6 versus CMF x 6

References

  1. Rydén L, Jönsson PE, Chebil G, Dufmats M, Fernö M, Jirström K, Källström AC, Landberg G, Stål O, Thorstenson S, Nordenskjöld B; South Swedish Breast Cancer Group; South-East Swedish Breast Cancer Group. Two years of adjuvant tamoxifen in premenopausal patients with breast cancer: a randomised, controlled trial with long-term follow-up. Eur J Cancer. 2005 Jan;41(2):256-64. link to original article PubMed
    1. Update: Ekholm M, Bendahl PO, Fernö M, Nordenskjöld B, Stål O, Rydén L. Two years of adjuvant tamoxifen provides a survival benefit compared with no systemic treatment in premenopausal patients with primary breast cancer: Long-term follow-up (> 25 years) of the phase III SBII:2pre trial. J Clin Oncol. 2016 Jul 1;34(19):2232-8. Epub 2016 May 9. link to original article PubMed
  2. Hutchins LF, Green SJ, Ravdin PM, Lew D, Martino S, Abeloff M, Lyss AP, Allred C, Rivkin SE, Osborne CK. Randomized, controlled trial of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil versus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and fluorouracil with and without tamoxifen for high-risk, node-negative breast cancer: treatment results of Intergroup Protocol INT-0102. J Clin Oncol. 2005 Nov 20;23(33):8313-21. link to original article PubMed
  3. Zdenkowski N, Forbes JF, Boyle FM, Kannourakis G, Gill PG, Bayliss E, Saunders C, Della-Fiorentina S, Kling N, Campbell I, Mann GB, Coates AS, Gebski V, Davies L, Thornton R, Reaby L, Cuzick J, Green M; Australia and New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group. Observation versus late reintroduction of letrozole as adjuvant endocrine therapy for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (ANZ0501 LATER): an open-label randomised, controlled trial. Ann Oncol. 2016 May;27(5):806-12. Epub 2016 Feb 9. link to original article PubMed
  4. Jensen MB, Krarup JF, Palshof T, Mouridsen HT, Ejlertsen B. Two years of tamoxifen or no adjuvant systemic therapy for patients with high-risk breast cancer: long-term follow-up of the Copenhagen breast cancer trial. Acta Oncol. 2018 Jan;57(1):26-30. Epub 2017 Nov 22. link to original article PubMed

Placebo

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Fisher et al. 1989 (NSABP B-14) Phase III (C) Tamoxifen Inferior DFS
Fisher et al. 2001 (NSABP B-23) Phase III (C) Tamoxifen Seems not superior
Goss et al. 2003 (NCIC CTG MA.17) Phase III (C) Letrozole Inferior DFS
Mamounas et al. 2008 (NSABP B-33) Phase III (C) Exemestane Inferior RFS

No active treatment. Used as a comparator arm.

Preceding treatment

References

  1. NSABP B-14: Fisher B, Costantino J, Redmond C, Poisson R, Bowman D, Couture J, Dimitrov NV, Wolmark N, Wickerham DL, Fisher ER, Margolese R, Robidoux A, Shibata H, Terz J, Peterson AHG, Feldman MI, Farrar W, Evans J, Lickley HL, Ketner M. A randomized clinical trial evaluating tamoxifen in the treatment of patients with node-negative breast cancer who have estrogen-receptor-positive tumors. N Engl J Med. 1989 Feb 23;320(8):479-84. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
  2. NSABP B-23: Fisher B, Anderson S, Tan-Chiu E, Wolmark N, Wickerham DL, Fisher ER, Dimitrov NV, Atkins JN, Abramson N, Merajver S, Romond EH, Kardinal CG, Shibata HR, Margolese RG, Farrar WB. Tamoxifen and chemotherapy for axillary node-negative, estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer: findings from National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-23. J Clin Oncol. 2001 Feb 15;19(4):931-42. link to original article PubMed
  3. NCIC CTG MA.17: Goss PE, Ingle JN, Martino S, Robert NJ, Muss HB, Piccart MJ, Castiglione M, Tu D, Shepherd LE, Pritchard KI, Livingston RB, Davidson NE, Norton L, Perez EA, Abrams JS, Therasse P, Palmer MJ, Pater JL. A randomized trial of letrozole in postmenopausal women after five years of tamoxifen therapy for early-stage breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2003 Nov 6;349(19):1793-802. Epub 2003 Oct 9. link to original article PubMed
    1. Update: Goss PE, Ingle JN, Martino S, Robert NJ, Muss HB, Piccart MJ, Castiglione M, Tu D, Shepherd LE, Pritchard KI, Livingston RB, Davidson NE, Norton L, Perez EA, Abrams JS, Cameron DA, Palmer MJ, Pater JL. Randomized trial of letrozole following tamoxifen as extended adjuvant therapy in receptor-positive breast cancer: updated findings from NCIC CTG MA.17. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2005 Sep 7;97(17):1262-71. link to original article PubMed
    2. QoL analysis: Whelan TJ, Goss PE, Ingle JN, Pater JL, Tu D, Pritchard K, Liu S, Shepherd LE, Palmer M, Robert NJ, Martino S, Muss HB. Assessment of quality of life in MA.17: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of letrozole after 5 years of tamoxifen in postmenopausal women. J Clin Oncol. 2005 Oct 1;23(28):6931-40. Epub 2005 Sep 12. link to original article PubMed
    3. Update: Muss HB, Tu D, Ingle JN, Martino S, Robert NJ, Pater JL, Whelan TJ, Palmer MJ, Piccart MJ, Shepherd LE, Pritchard KI, He Z, Goss PE. Efficacy, toxicity, and quality of life in older women with early-stage breast cancer treated with letrozole or placebo after 5 years of tamoxifen: NCIC CTG intergroup trial MA.17. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Apr 20;26(12):1956-64. Epub 2008 Mar 10. link to original article PubMed
    4. Subgroup analysis: Goss PE, Ingle JN, Pater JL, Martino S, Robert NJ, Muss HB, Piccart MJ, Castiglione M, Shepherd LE, Pritchard KI, Livingston RB, Davidson NE, Norton L, Perez EA, Abrams JS, Cameron DA, Palmer MJ, Tu D. Late extended adjuvant treatment with letrozole improves outcome in women with early-stage breast cancer who complete 5 years of tamoxifen. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Apr 20;26(12):1948-55. Epub 2008 Mar 10. link to original article PubMed
    5. Update: Jin H, Tu D, Zhao N, Shepherd LE, Goss PE. Longer-term outcomes of letrozole versus placebo after 5 years of tamoxifen in the NCIC CTG MA.17 trial: analyses adjusting for treatment crossover. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Mar 1;30(7):718-21. Epub 2011 Oct 31. link to original article link to PMC article PubMed
  4. NSABP B-33: Mamounas EP, Jeong JH, Wickerham DL, Smith RE, Ganz PA, Land SR, Eisen A, Fehrenbacher L, Farrar WB, Atkins JN, Pajon ER, Vogel VG, Kroener JF, Hutchins LF, Robidoux A, Hoehn JL, Ingle JN, Geyer CE Jr, Costantino JP, Wolmark N. Benefit from exemestane as extended adjuvant therapy after 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen: intention-to-treat analysis of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast And Bowel Project B-33 trial. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Apr 20;26(12):1965-71. Epub 2008 Mar 10. link to original article PubMed

Tamoxifen monotherapy

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Variant #1, 1 year

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Ejlertsen et al. 2013 (DBCG 82C) Phase III CMFT Inferior DFS
Tamoxifen & RT Not reported

Endocrine therapy

1 year of therapy

Variant #2, 2 years

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Coombes et al. 2004 (IES) Phase III See link See link
Breast International Group (BIG) 1-98 Collaborative Group 2006 Phase III See link See link
Kaufmann et al. 2007 (ARNO 95) Phase III See link See link
Dubsky et al. 2012 (ABCSG-8) Phase III See link See link
De Placido et al. 2018 (FATA-GIM3) Phase III See link See link

Note: this is a component of a sequential treatment protocol; to our knowledge there are no references to support using it as a stand-alone treatment. IES gave a range of 2 to 3 years of therapy.

Endocrine therapy

2-year course

Subsequent treatment

Variant #3, 3 years

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Breast International Group (BIG) 1-98 Collaborative Group 2006 Phase III See link See link
van de Velde et al. 2011 (TEAM) Phase III See link See link

Note: this is a component of a sequential treatment protocol; to our knowledge there are no references to support using it as a stand-alone treatment. TEAM gave a range of 2.5 to 3 years of therapy.

Preceding treatment

Endocrine therapy

3-year course

Subsequent treatment

Variant #4, 5 years

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy Toxicity
Fisher et al. 1989 (NSABP B-14) Phase III (E) Placebo Superior DFS
Fisher et al. 2001 (NSABP B-23) Phase III (E) Placebo Seems not superior
Assikis et al. 2003 Phase III FAC, then MV Seems not superior
Coombes et al. 2004 (IES) Phase III (C) Tamoxifen x 2-3y, then Exemestane x 2-3y Seems to have inferior OS (*)
Hutchins et al. 2005 (INT-0102) Phase III Observation Seems not superior
Breast International Group (BIG) 1-98 Collaborative Group 2006 Phase III (C) Letrozole Inferior OS (*)
Letrozole x 2y, then Tamoxifen x 3y Not reported
Tamoxifen x 2y, then Letrozole x 3y Not reported
Kaufmann et al. 2007 (ARNO 95) Phase III (C) Tamoxifen x 2y, then Anastrozole x 3y Seems to have inferior OS
Mamounas et al. 2008 (NSABP B-33) Non-randomized portion of RCT
van de Velde et al. 2011 (TEAM) Phase III (C) Tamoxifen x 2.5-3y, then Exemestane x 2-2.5y Seems not superior
Pritchard et al. 2011 (NCIC CTG MA.14) Phase III (C) Tamoxifen & Octreotide LAR Seems not superior
Dubsky et al. 2012 (ABCSG-8) Phase III (C) Tamoxifen x 2y, then Anastrozole x 3y Might have inferior RFS
Davies et al. 2013 (ATLAS) Phase III (C) Tamoxifen x 10 years Inferior OS
Pagani et al. 2014 (SOFT) Phase III (C) Exemestane & OFS Inferior DFS
Tamoxifen & OFS Might have inferior DFS (*)
Tevaarwerk et al. 2014 (ECOG E-3193) Phase III (C) Tamoxifen & OFS Seems not superior Fewer menopausal symptoms

Note: Pagani et al. 2014 reports on two trials, but only SOFT had the tamoxifen only arm; efficacy for this arm is as reported in Francis et al. 2015. Efficacy for BIG 1-98 and IES is based on the 2011 updates.

Preceding treatment

  • NSABP B-23: CMF x 6 versus AC x 4
  • INT-0102: CAF x 6 versus CMF x 6

Endocrine therapy

5 years of therapy

Subsequent treatment

Variant #5, 5 years, with OFS

OFS: Ovarian Function Suppression

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy Toxicity
Pagani et al. 2014 (TEXT/SOFT) Phase III (E) Exemestane & OFS Inferior DFS
Tamoxifen Might have superior DFS (*)
Tevaarwerk et al. 2014 (ECOG E-3193) Phase III (E) Tamoxifen Seems not superior More menopausal symptoms

These regimens are intended for premenopausal patients. Pagani et al. 2014 reports on two trials, but only SOFT had the tamoxifen only arm; efficacy for this arm is as reported in Francis et al. 2015.

Endocrine therapy

  • Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) 20 mg PO once per day
  • Ovarian Suppression as follows:
    • TEXT: Triptorelin (Trelstar LA) 3.75 mg IM every 28 days
      • "Bilateral oophorectomy or ovarian irradiation was allowed after at least 6 months of triptorelin."
    • SOFT: Choice of mechanism left to investigators

5 years of therapy

Variant #6, 10 years

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Davies et al. 2013 (ATLAS) Phase III Tamoxifen x 5 years Superior OS

Endocrine therapy

10 years of therapy

References

  1. NATO: Controlled trial of tamoxifen as adjuvant agent in management of early breast cancer. Interim analysis at four years by Nolvadex Adjuvant Trial Organisation. Lancet. 1983 Feb 5;1(8319):257-61. link to SD article PubMed
    1. Update: Controlled trial of tamoxifen as single adjuvant agent in management of early breast cancer. Analysis at six years by Nolvadex Adjuvant Trial Organisation. Lancet. 1985 Apr 13;1(8433):836-40. link to SD article PubMed
  2. NSABP B-14: Fisher B, Costantino J, Redmond C, Poisson R, Bowman D, Couture J, Dimitrov NV, Wolmark N, Wickerham DL, Fisher ER, Margolese R, Robidoux A, Shibata H, Terz J, Peterson AHG, Feldman MI, Farrar W, Evans J, Lickley HL, Ketner M. A randomized clinical trial evaluating tamoxifen in the treatment of patients with node-negative breast cancer who have estrogen-receptor-positive tumors. N Engl J Med. 1989 Feb 23;320(8):479-84. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
  3. Review: Jaiyesimi IA, Buzdar AU, Decker DA, Hortobagyi GN. Use of tamoxifen for breast cancer: twenty-eight years later. J Clin Oncol. 1995 Feb;13(2):513-29. link to original article PubMed
  4. Preliminary results from the cancer research campaign trial evaluating tamoxifen duration in women aged fifty years or older with breast cancer. Current Trials working Party of the Cancer Research Campaign Breast Cancer Trials Group. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1996 Dec 18;88(24):1834-9. Erratum in: J Natl Cancer Inst 1997 Apr 16;89(8):590. PubMed
    1. Update: Hackshaw A, Roughton M, Forsyth S, Monson K, Reczko K, Sainsbury R, Baum M. Long-term benefits of 5 years of tamoxifen: 10-year follow-up of a large randomized trial in women at least 50 years of age with early breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2011 May 1;29(13):1657-63. Epub 2011 Mar 21. link to original article PubMed
  5. NSABP B-23: Fisher B, Anderson S, Tan-Chiu E, Wolmark N, Wickerham DL, Fisher ER, Dimitrov NV, Atkins JN, Abramson N, Merajver S, Romond EH, Kardinal CG, Shibata HR, Margolese RG, Farrar WB. Tamoxifen and chemotherapy for axillary node-negative, estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer: findings from National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-23. J Clin Oncol. 2001 Feb 15;19(4):931-42. link to original article PubMed
  6. Assikis V, Buzdar A, Yang Y, Smith T, Theriault R, Booser D, Valero V, Walters R, Singletary E, Ames F, Hortobagyi G. A phase III trial of sequential adjuvant chemotherapy for operable breast carcinoma: final analysis with 10-year follow-up. Cancer. 2003 Jun 1;97(11):2716-23. link to original article contains protocol PubMed
  7. IES: Coombes RC, Hall E, Gibson LJ, Paridaens R, Jassem J, Delozier T, Jones SE, Alvarez I, Bertelli G, Ortmann O, Coates AS, Bajetta E, Dodwell D, Coleman RE, Fallowfield LJ, Mickiewicz E, Andersen J, Lønning PE, Cocconi G, Stewart A, Stuart N, Snowdon CF, Carpentieri M, Massimini G, Bliss JM, van de Velde C; Intergroup Exemestane Study. A randomized trial of exemestane after two to three years of tamoxifen therapy in postmenopausal women with primary breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2004 Mar 11;350(11):1081-92. link to original article PubMed
    1. Update: Coombes RC, Kilburn LS, Snowdon CF, Paridaens R, Coleman RE, Jones SE, Jassem J, Van de Velde CJ, Delozier T, Alvarez I, Del Mastro L, Ortmann O, Diedrich K, Coates AS, Bajetta E, Holmberg SB, Dodwell D, Mickiewicz E, Andersen J, Lønning PE, Cocconi G, Forbes J, Castiglione M, Stuart N, Stewart A, Fallowfield LJ, Bertelli G, Hall E, Bogle RG, Carpentieri M, Colajori E, Subar M, Ireland E, Bliss JM; Intergroup Exemestane Study. Survival and safety of exemestane versus tamoxifen after 2-3 years' tamoxifen treatment (Intergroup Exemestane Study): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2007 Feb 17;369(9561):559-70. link to original article PubMed
    2. Update: Bliss JM, Kilburn LS, Coleman RE, Forbes JF, Coates AS, Jones SE, Jassem J, Delozier T, Andersen J, Paridaens R, van de Velde CJ, Lønning PE, Morden J, Reise J, Cisar L, Menschik T, Coombes RC. Disease-related outcomes with long-term follow-up: an updated analysis of the Intergroup Exemestane Study. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Mar 1;30(7):709-17. Epub 2011 Oct 31. link to original article PubMed
  8. CALGB 9343: Hughes KS, Schnaper LA, Berry D, Cirrincione C, McCormick B, Shank B, Wheeler J, Champion LA, Smith TJ, Smith BL, Shapiro C, Muss HB, Winer E, Hudis C, Wood W, Sugarbaker D, Henderson IC, Norton L; Cancer and Leukemia Group B; Radiation Therapy Oncology Group; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Lumpectomy plus tamoxifen with or without irradiation in women 70 years of age or older with early breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2004 Sep 2;351(10):971-7. link to original article link to original article PubMed
    1. Update: Hughes KS, Schnaper LA, Bellon JR, Cirrincione CT, Berry DA, McCormick B, Muss HB, Smith BL, Hudis CA, Winer EP, Wood WC. Lumpectomy plus tamoxifen with or without irradiation in women age 70 years or older with early breast cancer: long-term follow-up of CALGB 9343. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Jul 1;31(19):2382-7. Epub 2013 May 20. link to PMC article PubMed
  9. ATAC: Howell A, Cuzick J, Baum M, Buzdar A, Dowsett M, Forbes JF, Hoctin-Boes G, Houghton J, Locker GY, Tobias JS; ATAC Trialists' Group. Results of the ATAC (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination) trial after completion of 5 years' adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. Lancet. 2005 Jan 1-7;365(9453):60-2. link to original article PubMed
    1. Update: Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) Trialists' Group, Forbes JF, Cuzick J, Buzdar A, Howell A, Tobias JS, Baum M. Effect of anastrozole and tamoxifen as adjuvant treatment for early-stage breast cancer: 100-month analysis of the ATAC trial. Lancet Oncol. 2008 Jan;9(1):45-53. link to original article PubMed
    2. Update: Cuzick J, Sestak I, Baum M, Buzdar A, Howell A, Dowsett M, Forbes JF; ATAC/LATTE investigators. Effect of anastrozole and tamoxifen as adjuvant treatment for early-stage breast cancer: 10-year analysis of the ATAC trial. Lancet Oncol. 2010 Dec;11(12):1135-41. link to original article PubMed
  10. Rydén L, Jönsson PE, Chebil G, Dufmats M, Fernö M, Jirström K, Källström AC, Landberg G, Stål O, Thorstenson S, Nordenskjöld B; South Swedish Breast Cancer Group; South-East Swedish Breast Cancer Group. Two years of adjuvant tamoxifen in premenopausal patients with breast cancer: a randomised, controlled trial with long-term follow-up. Eur J Cancer. 2005 Jan;41(2):256-64. link to original article PubMed
    1. Update: Ekholm M, Bendahl PO, Fernö M, Nordenskjöld B, Stål O, Rydén L. Two years of adjuvant tamoxifen provides a survival benefit compared with no systemic treatment in premenopausal patients with primary breast cancer: Long-term follow-up (> 25 years) of the phase III SBII:2pre trial. J Clin Oncol. 2016 Jul 1;34(19):2232-8. Epub 2016 May 9. link to original article PubMed
  11. Review: Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group (EBCTCG). Effects of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy for early breast cancer on recurrence and 15-year survival: an overview of the randomised trials. Lancet. 2005 May 14-20;365(9472):1687-717. link to original article PubMed
  12. INT-0102: Hutchins LF, Green SJ, Ravdin PM, Lew D, Martino S, Abeloff M, Lyss AP, Allred C, Rivkin SE, Osborne CK. Randomized, controlled trial of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil versus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and fluorouracil with and without tamoxifen for high-risk, node-negative breast cancer: treatment results of Intergroup Protocol INT-0102. J Clin Oncol. 2005 Nov 20;23(33):8313-21. link to original article PubMed
  13. BIG 1-98: Breast International Group (BIG) 1-98 Collaborative Group, Thürlimann B, Keshaviah A, Coates AS, Mouridsen H, Mauriac L, Forbes JF, Paridaens R, Castiglione-Gertsch M, Gelber RD, Rabaglio M, Smith I, Wardley A, Price KN, Goldhirsch A. A comparison of letrozole and tamoxifen in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2005 Dec 29;353(26):2747-57. Erratum in: N Engl J Med. 2006 May 18;354(20):2200. Wardly, Andrew [corrected to Wardley, Andrew ]. link to original article PubMed
    1. Update: Coates AS, Keshaviah A, Thürlimann B, Mouridsen H, Mauriac L, Forbes JF, Paridaens R, Castiglione-Gertsch M, Gelber RD, Colleoni M, Láng I, Del Mastro L, Smith I, Chirgwin J, Nogaret JM, Pienkowski T, Wardley A, Jakobsen EH, Price KN, Goldhirsch A. Five years of letrozole compared with tamoxifen as initial adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with endocrine-responsive early breast cancer: update of study BIG 1-98. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Feb 10;25(5):486-92. Epub 2007 Jan 2. link to original article PubMed
    2. Subgroup analysis: Rasmussen BB, Regan MM, Lykkesfeldt AE, Dell'Orto P, Del Curto B, Henriksen KL, Mastropasqua MG, Price KN, Méry E, Lacroix-Triki M, Braye S, Altermatt HJ, Gelber RD, Castiglione-Gertsch M, Goldhirsch A, Gusterson BA, Thürlimann B, Coates AS, Viale G; BIG 1-98 Collaborative and International Breast Cancer Study Groups. Adjuvant letrozole versus tamoxifen according to centrally-assessed ERBB2 status for postmenopausal women with endocrine-responsive early breast cancer: supplementary results from the BIG 1-98 randomised trial. Lancet Oncol. 2008 Jan;9(1):23-8. Epub 2007 Dec 20. link to original article PubMed
    3. Subgroup analysis: Crivellari D, Sun Z, Coates AS, Price KN, Thürlimann B, Mouridsen H, Mauriac L, Forbes JF, Paridaens RJ, Castiglione-Gertsch M, Gelber RD, Colleoni M, Láng I, Del Mastro L, Gladieff L, Rabaglio M, Smith IE, Chirgwin JH, Goldhirsch A. Letrozole compared with tamoxifen for elderly patients with endocrine-responsive early breast cancer: the BIG 1-98 trial. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Apr 20;26(12):1972-9. Epub 2008 Mar 10. link to original article PubMed
    4. Update: Regan MM, Neven P, Giobbie-Hurder A, Goldhirsch A, Ejlertsen B, Mauriac L, Forbes JF, Smith I, Láng I, Wardley A, Rabaglio M, Price KN, Gelber RD, Coates AS, Thürlimann B; BIG 1-98 Collaborative Group.; International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBCSG). Assessment of letrozole and tamoxifen alone and in sequence for postmenopausal women with steroid hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: the BIG 1-98 randomised clinical trial at 8·1 years median follow-up. Lancet Oncol. 2011 Nov;12(12):1101-8. link to original article link to PMC article PubMed
  14. ARNO 95: Kaufmann M, Jonat W, Hilfrich J, Eidtmann H, Gademann G, Zuna I, von Minckwitz G. Improved overall survival in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer after anastrozole initiated after treatment with tamoxifen compared with continued tamoxifen: the ARNO 95 Study. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Jul 1;25(19):2664-70. Epub 2007 Jun 11. link to original article PubMed
  15. NSABP B-33: Mamounas EP, Jeong JH, Wickerham DL, Smith RE, Ganz PA, Land SR, Eisen A, Fehrenbacher L, Farrar WB, Atkins JN, Pajon ER, Vogel VG, Kroener JF, Hutchins LF, Robidoux A, Hoehn JL, Ingle JN, Geyer CE Jr, Costantino JP, Wolmark N. Benefit from exemestane as extended adjuvant therapy after 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen: intention-to-treat analysis of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast And Bowel Project B-33 trial. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Apr 20;26(12):1965-71. Epub 2008 Mar 10. link to original article PubMed
  16. TEAM: van de Velde CJ, Rea D, Seynaeve C, Putter H, Hasenburg A, Vannetzel JM, Paridaens R, Markopoulos C, Hozumi Y, Hille ET, Kieback DG, Asmar L, Smeets J, Nortier JW, Hadji P, Bartlett JM, Jones SE. Adjuvant tamoxifen and exemestane in early breast cancer (TEAM): a randomised phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2011 Jan 22;377(9762):321-31. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
    1. Update: Derks MGM, Blok EJ, Seynaeve C, Nortier JWR, Kranenbarg EM, Liefers GJ, Putter H, Kroep JR, Rea D, Hasenburg A, Markopoulos C, Paridaens R, Smeets JBE, Dirix LY, van de Velde CJH. Adjuvant tamoxifen and exemestane in women with postmenopausal early breast cancer (TEAM): 10-year follow-up of a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2017 Sep;18(9):1211-1220. Epub 2017 Jul 18. link to original article PubMed
  17. NCIC CTG MA.14: Pritchard KI, Shepherd LE, Chapman JA, Norris BD, Cantin J, Goss PE, Dent SF, Walde D, Vandenberg TA, Findlay B, O'Reilly SE, Wilson CF, Han L, Piura E, Whelan TJ, Pollak MN. Randomized trial of tamoxifen versus combined tamoxifen and octreotide LAR Therapy in the adjuvant treatment of early-stage breast cancer in postmenopausal women: NCIC CTG MA.14. J Clin Oncol. 2011 Oct 10;29(29):3869-76. Epub 2011 Sep 12. link to original article PubMed
    1. Update: Chapman JA, Costantino JP, Dong B, Margolese RG, Pritchard KI, Shepherd LE, Gelmon KA, Wolmark N, Pollak MN. Octreotide LAR and tamoxifen versus tamoxifen in phase III randomize early breast cancer trials: NCIC CTG MA.14 and NSABP B-29. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2015 Sep;153(2):353-60. Epub 2015 Aug 15. link to original article link to PMC article PubMed
  18. ABCSG-8: Dubsky PC, Jakesz R, Mlineritsch B, Pöstlberger S, Samonigg H, Kwasny W, Tausch C, Stöger H, Haider K, Fitzal F, Singer CF, Stierer M, Sevelda P, Luschin-Ebengreuth G, Taucher S, Rudas M, Bartsch R, Steger GG, Greil R, Filipcic L, Gnant M. Tamoxifen and anastrozole as a sequencing strategy: a randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal patients with endocrine-responsive early breast cancer from the Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Mar 1;30(7):722-8. Epub 2012 Jan 23. link to original article PubMed
  19. ATLAS: Davies C, Pan H, Godwin J, Gray R, Arriagada R, Raina V, Abraham M, Medeiros Alencar VH, Badran A, Bonfill X, Bradbury J, Clarke M, Collins R, Davis SR, Delmestri A, Forbes JF, Haddad P, Hou MF, Inbar M, Khaled H, Kielanowska J, Kwan WH, Mathew BS, Mittra I, Müller B, Nicolucci A, Peralta O, Pernas F, Petruzelka L, Pienkowski T, Radhika R, Rajan B, Rubach MT, Tort S, Urrútia G, Valentini M, Wang Y, Peto R; Adjuvant Tamoxifen: Longer Against Shorter (ATLAS) Collaborative Group. Long-term effects of continuing adjuvant tamoxifen to 10 years versus stopping at 5 years after diagnosis of oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: ATLAS, a randomised trial. Lancet. 2013 Mar 9;381(9869):805-16. Erratum in: Lancet. 2013 Mar 9;381(9869):804. link to original article contains verified protocol link to PMC article PubMed
  20. DBCG 82C: Ejlertsen B, Jensen MB, Elversang J, Rasmussen BB, Andersson M, Andersen J, Nielsen DL, Cold S, Mouridsen HT. One year of adjuvant tamoxifen compared with chemotherapy and tamoxifen in postmenopausal patients with stage II breast cancer. Eur J Cancer. 2013 Sep;49(14):2986-94. Epub 2013 Jun 8. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
  21. TEXT/SOFT: Pagani O, Regan MM, Walley BA, Fleming GF, Colleoni M, Láng I, Gomez HL, Tondini C, Burstein HJ, Perez EA, Ciruelos E, Stearns V, Bonnefoi HR, Martino S, Geyer CE Jr, Pinotti G, Puglisi F, Crivellari D, Ruhstaller T, Winer EP, Rabaglio-Poretti M, Maibach R, Ruepp B, Giobbie-Hurder A, Price KN, Bernhard J, Luo W, Ribi K, Viale G, Coates AS, Gelber RD, Goldhirsch A, Francis PA; TEXT and SOFT Investigators; International Breast Cancer Study Group. Adjuvant exemestane with ovarian suppression in premenopausal breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2014 Jul 10;371(2):107-18. Epub 2014 Jun 1. link to original article contains verified protocol link to PMC article PubMed
    1. Update: Francis PA, Regan MM, Fleming GF, Láng I, Ciruelos E, Bellet M, Bonnefoi HR, Climent MA, Da Prada GA, Burstein HJ, Martino S, Davidson NE, Geyer CE Jr, Walley BA, Coleman R, Kerbrat P, Buchholz S, Ingle JN, Winer EP, Rabaglio-Poretti M, Maibach R, Ruepp B, Giobbie-Hurder A, Price KN, Colleoni M, Viale G, Coates AS, Goldhirsch A, Gelber RD; SOFT Investigators; International Breast Cancer Study Group. Adjuvant ovarian suppression in premenopausal breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2015 Jan 29;372(5):436-46. Epub 2014 Dec 11. link to original article link to PMC article PubMed
  22. ECOG E-3193: Tevaarwerk AJ, Wang M, Zhao F, Fetting JH, Cella D, Wagner LI, Martino S, Ingle JN, Sparano JA, Solin LJ, Wood WC, Robert NJ. Phase III comparison of tamoxifen versus tamoxifen plus ovarian function suppression in premenopausal women with node-negative, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (E-3193, INT-0142): a trial of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. J Clin Oncol. 2014 Dec 10;32(35):3948-58. Epub 2014 Oct 27. link to original article contains verified protocol link to PMC article PubMed
  23. Jensen MB, Krarup JF, Palshof T, Mouridsen HT, Ejlertsen B. Two years of tamoxifen or no adjuvant systemic therapy for patients with high-risk breast cancer: long-term follow-up of the Copenhagen breast cancer trial. Acta Oncol. 2018 Jan;57(1):26-30. Epub 2017 Nov 22. link to original article PubMed
  24. FATA-GIM3: De Placido S, Gallo C, De Laurentiis M, Bisagni G, Arpino G, Sarobba MG, Riccardi F, Russo A, Del Mastro L, Cogoni AA, Cognetti F, Gori S, Foglietta J, Frassoldati A, Amoroso D, Laudadio L, Moscetti L, Montemurro F, Verusio C, Bernardo A, Lorusso V, Gravina A, Moretti G, Lauria R, Lai A, Mocerino C, Rizzo S, Nuzzo F, Carlini P, Perrone F; GIM Investigators. Adjuvant anastrozole versus exemestane versus letrozole, upfront or after 2 years of tamoxifen, in endocrine-sensitive breast cancer (FATA-GIM3): a randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2018 Apr;19(4):474-485. Epub 2018 Feb 23. Erratum in: Lancet Oncol. 2018 Apr;19(4):e184. link to original article contains protocol PubMed

Metastatic disease, first-line endocrine therapy

Abemaciclib & Anastrozole

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Regimen

FDA-recommended dose
Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Goetz et al. 2017 (MONARCH 3) Phase III (E) Anastrozole Superior PFS

Chemotherapy

28-day cycles

References

  1. MONARCH 3: Goetz MP, Toi M, Campone M, Sohn J, Paluch-Shimon S, Huober J, Park IH, Trédan O, Chen SC, Manso L, Freedman OC, Garnica Jaliffe G, Forrester T, Frenzel M, Barriga S, Smith IC, Bourayou N, Di Leo A. MONARCH 3: abemaciclib as initial therapy for advanced breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2017 Nov 10;35(32):3638-3646. Epub 2017 Oct 2. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed

Abemaciclib & Letrozole

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Regimen

FDA-recommended dose
Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Goetz et al. 2017 (MONARCH 3) Phase III (E) Letrozole Superior PFS

Chemotherapy

28-day cycles

References

  1. MONARCH 3: Goetz MP, Toi M, Campone M, Sohn J, Paluch-Shimon S, Huober J, Park IH, Trédan O, Chen SC, Manso L, Freedman OC, Garnica Jaliffe G, Forrester T, Frenzel M, Barriga S, Smith IC, Bourayou N, Di Leo A. MONARCH 3: abemaciclib as initial therapy for advanced breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2017 Nov 10;35(32):3638-3646. Epub 2017 Oct 2. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed

Anastrozole monotherapy

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Nabholtz et al. 2000 (Arimidex Study Group) Phase III (E) Tamoxifen Superior TTP
Bergh et al. 2012 (FACT) Phase III (C) Anastrozole & Fulvestrant Seems not superior
Mehta et al. 2012 (SWOG S0226) Phase III (C) Anastrozole & Fulvestrant Seems to have inferior OS
Robertson et al. 2016 (FALCON) Phase III (C) Fulvestrant Seems to have inferior PFS
Goetz et al. 2017 (MONARCH 3) Phase III (C) Abemaciclib & Anastrozole Inferior PFS
Tripathy et al. 2017 (MONALEESA-7) Phase III (C) Anastrozole & Ribociclib Inferior PFS

Endocrine therapy

Supportive medications

Continued indefinitely

References

  1. Arimidex Study Group: Nabholtz JM, Buzdar A, Pollak M, Harwin W, Burton G, Mangalik A, Steinberg M, Webster A, von Euler M. Anastrozole is superior to tamoxifen as first-line therapy for advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women: results of a North American multicenter randomized trial; Arimidex Study Group. J Clin Oncol. 2000 Nov 15;18(22):3758-67. link to original article PubMed
  2. FACT: Bergh J, Jönsson PE, Lidbrink EK, Trudeau M, Eiermann W, Brattström D, Lindemann JP, Wiklund F, Henriksson R. FACT: an open-label randomized phase III study of fulvestrant and anastrozole in combination compared with anastrozole alone as first-line therapy for patients with receptor-positive postmenopausal breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Jun 1;30(16):1919-25. Epub 2012 Feb 27. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
  3. SWOG S0226: Mehta RS, Barlow WE, Albain KS, Vandenberg TA, Dakhil SR, Tirumali NR, Lew DL, Hayes DF, Gralow JR, Livingston RB, Hortobagyi GN. Combination anastrozole and fulvestrant in metastatic breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2012 Aug 2;367(5):435-44. link to original article contains verified protocol link to PMC article PubMed
  4. FALCON: Robertson JF, Bondarenko IM, Trishkina E, Dvorkin M, Panasci L, Manikhas A, Shparyk Y, Cardona-Huerta S, Cheung KL, Philco-Salas MJ, Ruiz-Borrego M, Shao Z, Noguchi S, Rowbottom J, Stuart M, Grinsted LM, Fazal M, Ellis MJ. Fulvestrant 500 mg versus anastrozole 1 mg for hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer (FALCON): an international, randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2016 Dec 17;388(10063):2997-3005. Epub 2016 Nov 28. link to original article contains protocol PubMed
  5. MONARCH-3: Goetz MP, Toi M, Campone M, Sohn J, Paluch-Shimon S, Huober J, Park IH, Trédan O, Chen SC, Manso L, Freedman OC, Garnica Jaliffe G, Forrester T, Frenzel M, Barriga S, Smith IC, Bourayou N, Di Leo A. MONARCH 3: Abemaciclib as initial therapy for advanced breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2017 Nov 10;35(32):3638-3646. Epub 2017 Oct 2. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
  6. Abstract: Tripathy D, Sohn J, Im S-A, Colleoni M, Franke F, Bardia A, Harbeck N, Hurvitz S, Chow L, Lee KS, Campos-Gomez S, Villanueva Vazquez R, Jung KH, Carlson G, Hughes G, Diaz-Padilla I, Germa C, Hirawat S, Lu Y-S. First-line ribociclib vs placebo with goserelin and tamoxifen or a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor in premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer: Results from the randomized phase III MONALEESA-7 trial. 2017 Dec SABCS Abstract 828 link to abstract contains protocol

Anastrozole & Fulvestrant

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Bergh et al. 2012 (FACT) Phase III (E) Anastrozole Seems not superior
Mehta et al. 2012 (SWOG S0226) Phase III (E) Anastrozole Seems to have superior OS

Endocrine therapy

  • Anastrozole (Arimidex) 1 mg PO once per day
  • Fulvestrant (Faslodex) 500 mg IM once on day 1, then 250 mg IM once per day on days 14 & 28, then 250 mg IM once every four weeks
    • Patients in SWOG S0226 who progressed while on therapy were allowed to receive a higher dose, 500 mg IM once every four weeks

28-day cycles

References

  1. FACT: Bergh J, Jönsson PE, Lidbrink EK, Trudeau M, Eiermann W, Brattström D, Lindemann JP, Wiklund F, Henriksson R. FACT: an open-label randomized phase III study of fulvestrant and anastrozole in combination compared with anastrozole alone as first-line therapy for patients with receptor-positive postmenopausal breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Jun 1;30(16):1919-25. Epub 2012 Feb 27. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
  2. SWOG S0226: Mehta RS, Barlow WE, Albain KS, Vandenberg TA, Dakhil SR, Tirumali NR, Lew DL, Hayes DF, Gralow JR, Livingston RB, Hortobagyi GN. Combination anastrozole and fulvestrant in metastatic breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2012 Aug 2;367(5):435-44. link to original article contains verified protocol link to PMC article PubMed

Anastrozole & Ribociclib

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Tripathy et al. 2017 (MONALEESA-7) Phase III Anastrozole Superior PFS

Chemohormonotherapy

Supportive medications

28-day cycles

References

  1. Abstract: Tripathy D, Sohn J, Im S-A, Colleoni M, Franke F, Bardia A, Harbeck N, Hurvitz S, Chow L, Lee KS, Campos-Gomez S, Villanueva Vazquez R, Jung KH, Carlson G, Hughes G, Diaz-Padilla I, Germa C, Hirawat S, Lu Y-S. First-line ribociclib vs placebo with goserelin and tamoxifen or a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor in premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer: Results from the randomized phase III MONALEESA-7 trial. 2017 Dec SABCS Abstract 828 link to abstract contains protocol

Fulvestrant monotherapy

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Howell et al. 2004 Phase III (E) Tamoxifen Might have inferior TTP

Endocrine therapy

  • Fulvestrant (Faslodex) as follows:
    • Cycle 1: 500 mg IM once per day on days 1 & 15
    • Cycle 2 onwards: 500 mg IM once on day 1

28-day cycles

References

  1. Howell A, Robertson JF, Abram P, Lichinitser MR, Elledge R, Bajetta E, Watanabe T, Morris C, Webster A, Dimery I, Osborne CK. Comparison of fulvestrant versus tamoxifen for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women previously untreated with endocrine therapy: a multinational, double-blind, randomized trial. J Clin Oncol. 2004 May 1;22(9):1605-13. link to original article PubMed
  2. LEA: Martín M, Loibl S, von Minckwitz G, Morales S, Martinez N, Guerrero A, Anton A, Aktas B, Schoenegg W, Muñoz M, Garcia-Saenz JÁ, Gil M, Ramos M, Margeli M, Carrasco E, Liedtke C, Wachsmann G, Mehta K, de la Haba-Rodríguez J. Phase III trial evaluating the addition of bevacizumab to endocrine therapy as first-line treatment for advanced breast cancer: the letrozole/fulvestrant and avastin (LEA) study. J Clin Oncol. 2015 Mar 20;33(9):1045-52. Epub 2015 Feb 17. link to original article PubMed

Letrozole monotherapy

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Wolff et al. 2012 (HORIZON) Phase III (C) Letrozole & Temsirolimus Seems not superior
Finn et al. 2015 (PALOMA-1/TRIO-18) Randomized Phase II (C) Letrozole & Palbociclib Inferior PFS
Martín et al. 2015 (LEA) Phase III (C) Letrozole & Bevacizumab Seems not superior
Dickler et al. 2016 (CALGB 40503) Phase III (C) Letrozole & Bevacizumab Seems to have inferior PFS
Hortobagyi et al. 2016 (MONALEESA-2) Phase III (C) Letrozole & Ribociclib Inferior PFS
Finn et al. 2016 (PALOMA-2) Randomized Phase II (C) Letrozole & Palbociclib Inferior PFS
Goetz et al. 2017 (MONARCH 3) Phase III (C) Abemaciclib & Letrozole Inferior PFS
Tripathy et al. 2017 (MONALEESA-7) Phase III (C) Letrozole & Ribociclib Inferior PFS

Endocrine therapy

Supportive medications

References

See references for Letrozole (Femara)

  1. HORIZON: Wolff AC, Lazar AA, Bondarenko I, Garin AM, Brincat S, Chow L, Sun Y, Neskovic-Konstantinovic Z, Guimaraes RC, Fumoleau P, Chan A, Hachemi S, Strahs A, Cincotta M, Berkenblit A, Krygowski M, Kang LL, Moore L, Hayes DF. Randomized phase III placebo-controlled trial of letrozole plus oral temsirolimus as first-line endocrine therapy in postmenopausal women with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Jan 10;31(2):195-202. Epub 2012 Dec 10. link to original article link to PMC article contains protocol PubMed
  2. PALOMA-1/TRIO-18: Finn RS, Crown JP, Lang I, Boer K, Bondarenko IM, Kulyk SO, Ettl J, Patel R, Pinter T, Schmidt M, Shparyk Y, Thummala AR, Voytko NL, Fowst C, Huang X, Kim ST, Randolph S, Slamon DJ. The cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor palbociclib in combination with letrozole versus letrozole alone as first-line treatment of oestrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative, advanced breast cancer (PALOMA-1/TRIO-18): a randomised phase 2 study. Lancet Oncol. 2015 Jan;16(1):25-35. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
  3. LEA: Martín M, Loibl S, von Minckwitz G, Morales S, Martinez N, Guerrero A, Anton A, Aktas B, Schoenegg W, Muñoz M, Garcia-Saenz JÁ, Gil M, Ramos M, Margeli M, Carrasco E, Liedtke C, Wachsmann G, Mehta K, de la Haba-Rodríguez J. Phase III trial evaluating the addition of bevacizumab to endocrine therapy as first-line treatment for advanced breast cancer: the letrozole/fulvestrant and avastin (LEA) study. J Clin Oncol. 2015 Mar 20;33(9):1045-52. Epub 2015 Feb 17. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
  4. CALGB 40503: Dickler MN, Barry WT, Cirrincione CT, Ellis MJ, Moynahan ME, Innocenti F, Hurria A, Rugo HS, Lake DE, Hahn O, Schneider BP, Tripathy D, Carey LA, Winer EP, Hudis CA. Phase III trial evaluating letrozole as first-line endocrine therapy with or without bevacizumab for the treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive advanced-stage breast cancer: CALGB 40503 (Alliance). J Clin Oncol. 2016 Aug 1;34(22):2602-9. Epub 2016 May 2. link to original article contains protocol link to PMC article PubMed
  5. MONALEESA-2: Hortobagyi GN, Stemmer SM, Burris HA 3rd, Yap YS, Sonke GS, Paluch-Shimon S, Campone M, Blackwell KL, André F, Winer EP, Janni W, Verma S, Conte P, Arteaga CL, Cameron DA, Petrakova K, Hart LL, Villanueva C, Chan A, Jakobsen E, Nusch A, Burdaeva O, Grischke EM, Alba E, Wist E, Marschner N, Favret AM, Yardley D, Bachelot T, Tseng LM, Blau S, Xuan F, Souami F, Miller M, Germa C, Hirawat S, O'Shaughnessy J. Ribociclib as first-line therapy for HR-positive, advanced breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2016 Nov 3;375(18):1738-1748. Epub 2016 Oct 7.link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
  6. PALOMA-2: Finn RS, Martín M, Rugo HS, Jones S, Im SA, Gelmon K, Harbeck N, Lipatov ON, Walshe JM, Moulder S, Gauthier E, Lu DR, Randolph S, Diéras V, Slamon DJ. Palbociclib and letrozole in advanced breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2016 Nov 17;375(20):1925-1936. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
  7. MONARCH 3: Goetz MP, Toi M, Campone M, Sohn J, Paluch-Shimon S, Huober J, Park IH, Trédan O, Chen SC, Manso L, Freedman OC, Garnica Jaliffe G, Forrester T, Frenzel M, Barriga S, Smith IC, Bourayou N, Di Leo A. MONARCH 3: Abemaciclib as initial therapy for advanced breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2017 Nov 10;35(32):3638-3646. Epub 2017 Oct 2. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
  8. Abstract: Tripathy D, Sohn J, Im S-A, Colleoni M, Franke F, Bardia A, Harbeck N, Hurvitz S, Chow L, Lee KS, Campos-Gomez S, Villanueva Vazquez R, Jung KH, Carlson G, Hughes G, Diaz-Padilla I, Germa C, Hirawat S, Lu Y-S. First-line ribociclib vs placebo with goserelin and tamoxifen or a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor in premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer: Results from the randomized phase III MONALEESA-7 trial. 2017 Dec SABCS Abstract 828 link to abstract contains protocol

Letrozole & Palbociclib

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Finn et al. 2015 (PALOMA-1/TRIO-18) Randomized Phase II (E) Letrozole Superior PFS
Finn et al. 2016 (PALOMA-2) Phase III (E) Letrozole Superior PFS

Chemohormonotherapy

28-day cycles

References

  1. PALOMA-1/TRIO-18: Finn RS, Crown JP, Lang I, Boer K, Bondarenko IM, Kulyk SO, Ettl J, Patel R, Pinter T, Schmidt M, Shparyk Y, Thummala AR, Voytko NL, Fowst C, Huang X, Kim ST, Randolph S, Slamon DJ. The cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor palbociclib in combination with letrozole versus letrozole alone as first-line treatment of oestrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative, advanced breast cancer (PALOMA-1/TRIO-18): a randomised phase 2 study. Lancet Oncol. 2015 Jan;16(1):25-35. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
  2. PALOMA-2: Finn RS, Martín M, Rugo HS, Jones S, Im SA, Gelmon K, Harbeck N, Lipatov ON, Walshe JM, Moulder S, Gauthier E, Lu DR, Randolph S, Diéras V, Slamon DJ. Palbociclib and Letrozole in Advanced Breast Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2016 Nov 17;375(20):1925-1936. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed

Letrozole & Ribociclib

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Hortobagyi et al. 2016 (MONALEESA-2) Phase III (E) Letrozole Superior PFS
Tripathy et al. 2017 (MONALEESA-7) Phase III (E) Letrozole Superior PFS

Chemohormonotherapy

Supportive medications

28-day cycles

References

  1. MONALEESA-2: Hortobagyi GN, Stemmer SM, Burris HA 3rd, Yap YS, Sonke GS, Paluch-Shimon S, Campone M, Blackwell KL, André F, Winer EP, Janni W, Verma S, Conte P, Arteaga CL, Cameron DA, Petrakova K, Hart LL, Villanueva C, Chan A, Jakobsen E, Nusch A, Burdaeva O, Grischke EM, Alba E, Wist E, Marschner N, Favret AM, Yardley D, Bachelot T, Tseng LM, Blau S, Xuan F, Souami F, Miller M, Germa C, Hirawat S, O'Shaughnessy J. Ribociclib as first-line therapy for HR-positive, advanced breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2016 Nov 3;375(18):1738-1748. Epub 2016 Oct 7. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
  2. Abstract: Tripathy D, Sohn J, Im S-A, Colleoni M, Franke F, Bardia A, Harbeck N, Hurvitz S, Chow L, Lee KS, Campos-Gomez S, Villanueva Vazquez R, Jung KH, Carlson G, Hughes G, Diaz-Padilla I, Germa C, Hirawat S, Lu Y-S. First-line ribociclib vs placebo with goserelin and tamoxifen or a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor in premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer: Results from the randomized phase III MONALEESA-7 trial. 2017 Dec SABCS Abstract 828 link to abstract contains protocol

Ribociclib & Tamoxifen

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Tripathy et al. 2017 (MONALEESA-7) Phase III (E) Tamoxifen Superior PFS

Chemohormonotherapy

Supportive medications

28-day cycles

References

  1. Abstract: Tripathy D, Sohn J, Im S-A, Colleoni M, Franke F, Bardia A, Harbeck N, Hurvitz S, Chow L, Lee KS, Campos-Gomez S, Villanueva Vazquez R, Jung KH, Carlson G, Hughes G, Diaz-Padilla I, Germa C, Hirawat S, Lu Y-S. First-line ribociclib vs placebo with goserelin and tamoxifen or a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor in premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer: Results from the randomized phase III MONALEESA-7 trial. 2017 Dec SABCS Abstract 828 link to abstract contains protocol

Tamoxifen monotherapy

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Variant #1, standard dosing (20 mg per day)

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Hayes et al. 1995 Phase III Toremifene 60 mg per day Seems not superior
Toremifene 200 mg per day Seems not superior
Nabholtz et al. 2000 (Arimidex Study Group) Phase III (C) Anastrozole Inferior TTP
Howell et al. 2004 Phase III Fulvestrant Might have superior TTP
Tripathy et al. 2017 (MONALEESA-7) Phase III (C) Ribociclib & Tamoxifen Inferior PFS

Endocrine therapy

Supportive medications

Continued indefinitely

Variant #2, high-dose (40 mg per day)

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Gershanovich et al. 1997 Phase III Toremifene 60 mg per day Seems not superior
Toremifene 240 mg per day Seems not superior
Pyrhönen et al. 1997 Phase III Toremifene 60 mg per day Seems to have superior TTP

Endocrine therapy

Continued indefinitely

References

  1. Kiang DT, Kennedy BJ. Tamoxifen (antiestrogen) therapy in advanced breast cancer. Ann Intern Med. 1977 Dec;87(6):687-90. link to original article PubMed
  2. Ingle JN, Ahmann DL, Green SJ, Edmonson JH, Bisel HF, Kvols LK, Nichols WC, Creagan ET, Hahn RG, Rubin J, Frytak S. Randomized clinical trial of diethylstilbestrol versus tamoxifen in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 1981 Jan 1;304(1):16-21. link to original article PubMed
  3. Hayes DF, Van Zyl JA, Hacking A, Goedhals L, Bezwoda WR, Mailliard JA, Jones SE, Vogel CL, Berris RF, Shemano I et al. Randomized comparison of tamoxifen and two separate doses of toremifene in postmenopausal patients with metastatic breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 1995 Oct;13(10):2556-66. link to original article PubMed
  4. Gershanovich M, Garin A, Baltina D, Kurvet A, Kangas L, Ellmén J; Eastern European Study Group. A phase III comparison of two toremifene doses to tamoxifen in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 1997 Sep;45(3):251-62. link to original article PubMed
  5. Pyrhönen S, Valavaara R, Modig H, Pawlicki M, Pienkowski T, Gundersen S, Bauer J, Westman G, Lundgren S, Blanco G, Mella O, Nilsson I, Hietanen T, Hindy I, Vuorinen J, Hajba A. Comparison of toremifene and tamoxifen in post-menopausal patients with advanced breast cancer: a randomized double-blind, the 'Nordic' phase III study. Br J Cancer. 1997;76(2):270-7. link to PMC article PubMed
  6. Arimidex Study Group: Nabholtz JM, Buzdar A, Pollak M, Harwin W, Burton G, Mangalik A, Steinberg M, Webster A, von Euler M; Arimidex Study Group. Anastrozole is superior to tamoxifen as first-line therapy for advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women: results of a North American multicenter randomized trial. J Clin Oncol. 2000 Nov 15;18(22):3758-67. link to original article PubMed
  7. Howell A, Robertson JF, Abram P, Lichinitser MR, Elledge R, Bajetta E, Watanabe T, Morris C, Webster A, Dimery I, Osborne CK. Comparison of fulvestrant versus tamoxifen for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women previously untreated with endocrine therapy: a multinational, double-blind, randomized trial. J Clin Oncol. 2004 May 1;22(9):1605-13. link to original article PubMed
  8. Abstract: Tripathy D, Sohn J, Im S-A, Colleoni M, Franke F, Bardia A, Harbeck N, Hurvitz S, Chow L, Lee KS, Campos-Gomez S, Villanueva Vazquez R, Jung KH, Carlson G, Hughes G, Diaz-Padilla I, Germa C, Hirawat S, Lu Y-S. First-line ribociclib vs placebo with goserelin and tamoxifen or a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor in premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer: results from the randomized phase III MONALEESA-7 trial. 2017 Dec SABCS Abstract 828 link to abstract contains protocol

Toremifene monotherapy

back to top

Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Hayes et al. 1995 Phase III Tamoxifen Seems not superior
Toremifene 200 mg per day Seems not superior
Gershanovich et al. 1997 Phase III Tamoxifen 40 mg per day Seems not superior
Toremifene 240 mg per day Seems not superior
Pyrhönen et al. 1997 Phase III Tamoxifen 40 mg per day Seems to have inferior TTP

Endocrine therapy

Given until progression

References

  1. Hayes DF, Van Zyl JA, Hacking A, Goedhals L, Bezwoda WR, Mailliard JA, Jones SE, Vogel CL, Berris RF, Shemano I et al. Randomized comparison of tamoxifen and two separate doses of toremifene in postmenopausal patients with metastatic breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 1995 Oct;13(10):2556-66. link to original article PubMed
  2. Gershanovich M, Garin A, Baltina D, Kurvet A, Kangas L, Ellmén J; Eastern European Study Group. A phase III comparison of two toremifene doses to tamoxifen in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 1997 Sep;45(3):251-62. link to original article PubMed
  3. Pyrhönen S, Valavaara R, Modig H, Pawlicki M, Pienkowski T, Gundersen S, Bauer J, Westman G, Lundgren S, Blanco G, Mella O, Nilsson I, Hietanen T, Hindy I, Vuorinen J, Hajba A. Comparison of toremifene and tamoxifen in post-menopausal patients with advanced breast cancer: a randomized double-blind, the 'Nordic' phase III study. Br J Cancer. 1997;76(2):270-7. link to PMC article PubMed

Metastatic disease, subsequent lines of endocrine therapy

Abemaciclib & Fulvestrant

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Regimen

FDA-recommended dose
Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Sledge et al. 2017 (MONARCH 2) Phase III (E) Fulvestrant Superior PFS

Chemotherapy

28-day cycles

References

  1. MONARCH 2: Sledge GW Jr, Toi M, Neven P, Sohn J, Inoue K, Pivot X, Burdaeva O, Okera M, Masuda N, Kaufman PA, Koh H, Grischke EM, Frenzel M, Lin Y, Barriga S, Smith IC, Bourayou N, Llombart-Cussac A. MONARCH 2: Abemaciclib in combination with fulvestrant in women with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer who had progressed while receiving endocrine therapy. J Clin Oncol. 2017 Sep 1;35(25):2875-2884. Epub 2017 Jun 3. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed

Anastrozole monotherapy

back to top

Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Howell et al. 2002 Phase III Fulvestrant Seems to have non-inferior TTP

Endocrine therapy

Continued indefinitely

References

  1. Howell A, Robertson JF, Quaresma Albano J, Aschermannova A, Mauriac L, Kleeberg UR, Vergote I, Erikstein B, Webster A, Morris C. Fulvestrant, formerly ICI 182,780, is as effective as anastrozole in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer progressing after prior endocrine treatment. J Clin Oncol. 2002 Aug 15;20(16):3396-403. link to original article PubMed

Anastrozole & Fulvestrant

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Johnston et al. 2013 (SoFEA) Phase III (E) Fulvestrant Seems not superior

Endocrine therapy

28-day cycles

References

  1. SoFEA: Johnston SR, Kilburn LS, Ellis P, Dodwell D, Cameron D, Hayward L, Im YH, Braybrooke JP, Brunt AM, Cheung KL, Jyothirmayi R, Robinson A, Wardley AM, Wheatley D, Howell A, Coombes G, Sergenson N, Sin HJ, Folkerd E, Dowsett M, Bliss JM; SoFEA investigators. Fulvestrant plus anastrozole or placebo versus exemestane alone after progression on non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors in postmenopausal patients with hormone-receptor-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (SoFEA): a composite, multicentre, phase 3 randomised trial. Lancet Oncol. 2013 Sep;14(10):989-98. Epub 2013 Jul 29. link to original article contains protocol PubMed

Everolimus & Exemestane

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Baselga et al. 2011 (BOLERO-2) Phase III (E) Exemestane Superior PFS

Chemohormonotherapy

Continued indefinitely

References

  1. BOLERO-2: Baselga J, Campone M, Piccart M, Burris HA 3rd, Rugo HS, Sahmoud T, Noguchi S, Gnant M, Pritchard KI, Lebrun F, Beck JT, Ito Y, Yardley D, Deleu I, Perez A, Bachelot T, Vittori L, Xu Z, Mukhopadhyay P, Lebwohl D, Hortobagyi GN. Everolimus in postmenopausal hormone-receptor-positive advanced breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2012 Feb 9;366(6):520-9. Epub 2011 Dec 7. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
    1. Update: Yardley DA, Noguchi S, Pritchard KI, Burris HA 3rd, Baselga J, Gnant M, Hortobagyi GN, Campone M, Pistilli B, Piccart M, Melichar B, Petrakova K, Arena FP, Erdkamp F, Harb WA, Feng W, Cahana A, Taran T, Lebwohl D, Rugo HS. Everolimus plus exemestane in postmenopausal patients with HR(+) breast cancer: BOLERO-2 final progression-free survival analysis. Adv Ther. 2013 Oct;30(10):870-84. Erratum in: Adv Ther. 2014 Sep;31(9):1008-9. link to PMC article PubMed

Everolimus & Tamoxifen

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Bachelot et al. 2012 (TAMRAD) Randomized Phase II (E) Tamoxifen Superior OS

Chemohormonotherapy

Continued indefinitely

References

  1. TAMRAD: Bachelot T, Bourgier C, Cropet C, Ray-Coquard I, Ferrero JM, Freyer G, Abadie-Lacourtoisie S, Eymard JC, Debled M, Spaëth D, Legouffe E, Allouache D, El Kouri C, Pujade-Lauraine E. Randomized phase II trial of everolimus in combination with tamoxifen in patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative metastatic breast cancer with prior exposure to aromatase inhibitors: A GINECO study. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Aug 1;30(22):2718-24. Epub 2012 May 7. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed

Exemestane monotherapy

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Chia et al. 2008 (EFECT) Phase III Fulvestrant Seems not superior
Baselga et al. 2011 (BOLERO-2) Phase III (C) Everolimus & Exemestane Inferior PFS

Endocrine therapy

Continued indefinitely

References

  1. EFFECT: Chia S, Gradishar W, Mauriac L, Bines J, Amant F, Federico M, Fein L, Romieu G, Buzdar A, Robertson JF, Brufsky A, Possinger K, Rennie P, Sapunar F, Lowe E, Piccart M. Double-blind, randomized placebo controlled trial of fulvestrant compared with exemestane after prior nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor therapy in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, advanced breast cancer: results from EFECT. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Apr 1;26(10):1664-70. Epub 2008 Mar 3. link to original article PubMed
  2. BOLERO-2: Baselga J, Campone M, Piccart M, Burris HA 3rd, Rugo HS, Sahmoud T, Noguchi S, Gnant M, Pritchard KI, Lebrun F, Beck JT, Ito Y, Yardley D, Deleu I, Perez A, Bachelot T, Vittori L, Xu Z, Mukhopadhyay P, Lebwohl D, Hortobagyi GN. Everolimus in postmenopausal hormone-receptor-positive advanced breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2012 Feb 9;366(6):520-9. Epub 2011 Dec 7. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
    1. Update: Yardley DA, Noguchi S, Pritchard KI, Burris HA 3rd, Baselga J, Gnant M, Hortobagyi GN, Campone M, Pistilli B, Piccart M, Melichar B, Petrakova K, Arena FP, Erdkamp F, Harb WA, Feng W, Cahana A, Taran T, Lebwohl D, Rugo HS. Everolimus plus exemestane in postmenopausal patients with HR(+) breast cancer: BOLERO-2 final progression-free survival analysis. Adv Ther. 2013 Oct;30(10):870-84. Erratum in: Adv Ther. 2014 Sep;31(9):1008-9. link to PMC article PubMed

Fulvestrant monotherapy

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Howell et al. 2002 Phase III Anastrozole Seems to have non-inferior TTP
Chia et al. 2008 (EFECT) Phase III Exemestane Seems not superior
Di Leo et al. 2010 (CONFIRM) Phase III Fulvestrant 250 mg Superior PFS
Johnston et al. 2013 (SoFEA) Phase III (E) Exemestane Seems not superior
Anastrozole & Fulvestrant Seems not superior
Turner et al. 2015 (PALOMA-3) Phase III (C) Fulvestrant & Palbociclib Inferior PFS
Robertson et al. 2016 (FALCON) Phase III Anastrozole Seems to have superior PFS
Baselga et al. 2017 (BELLE-2) Phase III (C) Buparlisib & Fulvestrant Inferior PFS
Sledge et al. 2017 (MONARCH 2) Phase III (C) Abemaciclib & Fulvestrant Inferior PFS
Di Leo et al. 2017 (BELLE-3) Phase III (C) Buparlisib & Fulvestrant Inferior PFS

Note: while this regimen was inferior in BELLE-2 and BELLE-3, the authors note that "no further studies [of this combination] are being pursued because of the toxicity associated with [the experimental arm]."

Endocrine therapy

  • Fulvestrant (Faslodex) as follows:
    • Cycle 1: 500 mg IM once per day on days 1 & 15
    • Cycle 2 onwards: 500 mg IM once on day 1

28-day cycles

References

  1. Howell A, Robertson JF, Quaresma Albano J, Aschermannova A, Mauriac L, Kleeberg UR, Vergote I, Erikstein B, Webster A, Morris C. Fulvestrant, formerly ICI 182,780, is as effective as anastrozole in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer progressing after prior endocrine treatment. J Clin Oncol. 2002 Aug 15;20(16):3396-403. link to original article PubMed
  2. Perey L, Paridaens R, Hawle H, Zaman K, Nolé F, Wildiers H, Fiche M, Dietrich D, Clément P, Köberle D, Goldhirsch A, Thürlimann B. Clinical benefit of fulvestrant in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer and primary or acquired resistance to aromatase inhibitors: final results of phase II Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research Trial (SAKK 21/00). Ann Oncol. 2007 Jan;18(1):64-9. Epub 2006 Oct 9. link to original article PubMed
  3. EFFECT: Chia S, Gradishar W, Mauriac L, Bines J, Amant F, Federico M, Fein L, Romieu G, Buzdar A, Robertson JF, Brufsky A, Possinger K, Rennie P, Sapunar F, Lowe E, Piccart M. Double-blind, randomized placebo controlled trial of fulvestrant compared with exemestane after prior nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor therapy in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, advanced breast cancer: results from EFECT. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Apr 1;26(10):1664-70. Epub 2008 Mar 3. link to original article PubMed
  4. CONFIRM: Di Leo A, Jerusalem G, Petruzelka L, Torres R, Bondarenko IN, Khasanov R, Verhoeven D, Pedrini JL, Smirnova I, Lichinitser MR, Pendergrass K, Garnett S, Lindemann JP, Sapunar F, Martín M. Results of the CONFIRM phase III trial comparing fulvestrant 250 mg with fulvestrant 500 mg in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive advanced breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2010 Oct 20;28(30):4594-600. Epub 2010 Sep 20. Erratum in: J Clin Oncol. 2011 Jun 1;29(16):2293. link to original article PubMed
  5. SoFEA: Johnston SR, Kilburn LS, Ellis P, Dodwell D, Cameron D, Hayward L, Im YH, Braybrooke JP, Brunt AM, Cheung KL, Jyothirmayi R, Robinson A, Wardley AM, Wheatley D, Howell A, Coombes G, Sergenson N, Sin HJ, Folkerd E, Dowsett M, Bliss JM; SoFEA investigators. Fulvestrant plus anastrozole or placebo versus exemestane alone after progression on non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors in postmenopausal patients with hormone-receptor-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (SoFEA): a composite, multicentre, phase 3 randomised trial. Lancet Oncol. 2013 Sep;14(10):989-98. Epub 2013 Jul 29. link to original article contains protocol PubMed
  6. CALGB 40302: Burstein HJ, Cirrincione CT, Barry WT, Chew HK, Tolaney SM, Lake DE, Ma C, Blackwell KL, Winer EP, Hudis CA. Endocrine therapy with or without inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial of fulvestrant with or without lapatinib for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer-CALGB 40302 (Alliance). J Clin Oncol. 2014 Dec 10;32(35):3959-66. Epub 2014 Oct 27. link to original article link to PMC article PubMed
  7. PALOMA-3: Turner NC, Ro J, André F, Loi S, Verma S, Iwata H, Harbeck N, Loibl S, Huang Bartlett C, Zhang K, Giorgetti C, Randolph S, Koehler M, Cristofanilli M; PALOMA3 Study Group. Palbociclib in hormone-receptor-positive advanced breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2015 Jul 16;373(3):209-19. Epub 2015 Jun 1. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
    1. Update: Cristofanilli M, Turner NC, Bondarenko I, Ro J, Im SA, Masuda N, Colleoni M, DeMichele A, Loi S, Verma S, Iwata H, Harbeck N, Zhang K, Theall KP, Jiang Y, Bartlett CH, Koehler M, Slamon D. Fulvestrant plus palbociclib versus fulvestrant plus placebo for treatment of hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer that progressed on previous endocrine therapy (PALOMA-3): final analysis of the multicentre, double-blind, phase 3 randomised controlled trial. Lancet Oncol. 2016 Apr;17(4):425-39. Epub 2016 Mar 3. link to original article PubMed
  8. FALCON: Robertson JF, Bondarenko IM, Trishkina E, Dvorkin M, Panasci L, Manikhas A, Shparyk Y, Cardona-Huerta S, Cheung KL, Philco-Salas MJ, Ruiz-Borrego M, Shao Z, Noguchi S, Rowbottom J, Stuart M, Grinsted LM, Fazal M, Ellis MJ. Fulvestrant 500 mg versus anastrozole 1 mg for hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer (FALCON): an international, randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2016 Dec 17;388(10063):2997-3005. Epub 2016 Nov 28. link to original article contains protocol PubMed
  9. BELLE-2: Baselga J, Im SA, Iwata H, Cortés J, De Laurentiis M, Jiang Z, Arteaga CL, Jonat W, Clemons M, Ito Y, Awada A, Chia S, Jagiełło-Gruszfeld A, Pistilli B, Tseng LM, Hurvitz S, Masuda N, Takahashi M, Vuylsteke P, Hachemi S, Dharan B, Di Tomaso E, Urban P, Massacesi C, Campone M. Buparlisib plus fulvestrant versus placebo plus fulvestrant in postmenopausal, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative, advanced breast cancer (BELLE-2): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2017 Jul;18(7):904-916. Epub 2017 May 30. link to original article link to PMC article contains protocol PubMed
  10. MONARCH-2: Sledge GW Jr, Toi M, Neven P, Sohn J, Inoue K, Pivot X, Burdaeva O, Okera M, Masuda N, Kaufman PA, Koh H, Grischke EM, Frenzel M, Lin Y, Barriga S, Smith IC, Bourayou N, Llombart-Cussac A. MONARCH 2: Abemaciclib in combination with fulvestrant in women with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer who had progressed while receiving endocrine therapy. J Clin Oncol. 2017 Sep 1;35(25):2875-2884. Epub 2017 Jun 3. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
  11. BELLE-3: Di Leo A, Johnston S, Lee KS, Ciruelos E, Lønning PE, Janni W, O'Regan R, Mouret-Reynier MA, Kalev D, Egle D, Csőszi T, Bordonaro R, Decker T, Tjan-Heijnen VCG, Blau S, Schirone A, Weber D, El-Hashimy M, Dharan B, Sellami D, Bachelot T. Buparlisib plus fulvestrant in postmenopausal women with hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative, advanced breast cancer progressing on or after mTOR inhibition (BELLE-3): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2018 Jan;19(1):87-100. Epub 2017 Dec 7. link to original article contains protocol PubMed

Fulvestrant & Palbociclib

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Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Turner et al. 2015 (PALOMA-3) Phase III Fulvestrant Superior PFS

Chemohormonotherapy

28-day cycles

References

  1. PALOMA-3: Turner NC, Ro J, André F, Loi S, Verma S, Iwata H, Harbeck N, Loibl S, Huang Bartlett C, Zhang K, Giorgetti C, Randolph S, Koehler M, Cristofanilli M; PALOMA3 Study Group. Palbociclib in Hormone-Receptor-Positive Advanced Breast Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2015 Jul 16;373(3):209-19. Epub 2015 Jun 1. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
    1. Update: Cristofanilli M, Turner NC, Bondarenko I, Ro J, Im SA, Masuda N, Colleoni M, DeMichele A, Loi S, Verma S, Iwata H, Harbeck N, Zhang K, Theall KP, Jiang Y, Bartlett CH, Koehler M, Slamon D. Fulvestrant plus palbociclib versus fulvestrant plus placebo for treatment of hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer that progressed on previous endocrine therapy (PALOMA-3): final analysis of the multicentre, double-blind, phase 3 randomised controlled trial. Lancet Oncol. 2016 Apr;17(4):425-39. Epub 2016 Mar 3. link to original article PubMed

Tamoxifen monotherapy

back to top

Regimen

Study Evidence Comparator Efficacy
Bachelot et al. 2012 (TAMRAD) Randomized Phase II (C) Everolimus & Tamoxifen Inferior OS

Endocrine therapy

Continued indefinitely

References

  1. TAMRAD: Bachelot T, Bourgier C, Cropet C, Ray-Coquard I, Ferrero JM, Freyer G, Abadie-Lacourtoisie S, Eymard JC, Debled M, Spaëth D, Legouffe E, Allouache D, El Kouri C, Pujade-Lauraine E. Randomized phase II trial of everolimus in combination with tamoxifen in patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative metastatic breast cancer with prior exposure to aromatase inhibitors: a GINECO study. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Aug 1;30(22):2718-24. Epub 2012 May 7. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
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