Outcome in patients of hormone receptor (HR) positive (Her 2) negative metastatic breast cancer treated with palbociclib – A real-world experience

Abstract

Objectives: We present real-world outcome with the use of palbociclib in patients with HR-positive Her2-negative breast cancer treated at single center in India. Material and Methods: We conducted a medical audit of consecutive patients with HR-positive Her2-negative metastatic breast cancer, who were treated with palbociclib at our center between November 2016 and May 2020. Palbociclib was commenced at a dose of 125 mg orally once daily and a schedule of 21 days on therapy followed by 7 days off therapy was followed. Survival analysis included the Kaplan–Meier method using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (Version 26). HRs were calculated using Cox proportional hazard regression models and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the incidence estimates. Results: A total of 67 female patients were commenced on treatment with palbociclib between November 2016 and May 2020. The median age was 55 years (range 29–78 years). A total of 51 (76%) of these patients were postmenopausal and the remaining 16 were premenopausal. Baseline metastatic disease involved one organ/site in 23 (34%), two organs/sites in 32 (48%), three or more in 12 (18%). Bony metastasis alone was seen in 17 (25%) patients, visceral alone in 30 (45%), and the remaining 20 had both bony and visceral metastases. For these 67 patients, palbociclib was commenced as 1st line systemic therapy in 24 (36%) cases. Amongst the remaining 43 cases, it was 2nd line in 21 (31%); 3rd line and beyond in 22 (33%). Median PFS was 16.1 months (95% CI: 9.6–22.8) and median OS was 20.7 months (95% CI: 14.1–27.3). Median PFS for palbociclib use in first line was 18.7 months (95% CI: 4.6–32.9) while in subsequent lines, it was 13.8 months (95% CI: 9.8–17.9; log-rank P = 0.228). Median OS in patients who received palbociclib in first line was 23.2 months (95 % CI 20.1–26.3) and for those why received it in subsequent lines was 16.3 months (95 % CI: 12.5–20.1; P = 0.069). In total population, best response on imaging was CR in 11 (16%) cases (06 in 1st line setting and 05 in subsequent line setting); PR in 33 (49%); SD in 03; and progressive disease in 20. Median PFS with bone only metastasis: 20.9 months (95 % CI: 5.9–36.0), while with visceral metastasis 16.1 months (95% CI: 9.8–22.5; P = 0.537). Median OS with bone only metastasis: 22.7 months (95% CI: 17.8–27.5), while with visceral metastasis, it was 18.5 months (95% CI: 13.6–23.4; P = 0.314). Conclusion: Palbociclib is a useful addition in the management of HR +ve Her2 –ve breast cancer patients. Its benefit is confirmed in our real-world setting, both in the first and subsequent lines of therapy and the data are on similar lines as the global real-world data on palbociclib effectiveness.

Letter to editor

“…We read with interest the article by Bapna et al on the real-world experience with palbociclib (first cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor receiving regulatory approval in India in October 2016) in their patients of breast cancer. [1] It is heartening to note that targeted therapy has become the standard of care in several highvolume centers in India, matching what is recommended in many international guidelines. Bapna has treated 67 females over a period of <4 years.…”