Takeaway
- The Src kinase inhibitor dasatinib shows promise in combination with letrozole by increasing the clinical benefit rate (CBR), according to a phase 2 noncomparative trial in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer.
Why this matters
- Dasatinib may work by preventing acquired resistance to aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy, which is associated with higher mortality.
Study design
- Noncomparative, parallel-group, phase 2 trial (n=120) of dasatinib (100 mg/day orally) plus letrozole (2.5 mg/day orally) vs letrozole alone; patients with disease progression on letrozole alone were allowed to crossover to dasatinib+letrozole.
- CBR was defined as complete response+partial response+stable disease ≥6 months.
- Funding: Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Key results
- Letrozole+dasatinib had a higher CBR than projected (71% [95% CI, 58%-83%] vs projected CBR of the combination, 56%).
- Letrozole alone had a higher CBR than projected (66% [95% CI, 52%-77%] vs projected CBR of 39%).
- In the crossover group (n=35), the CBR was 23% with a median PFS of 3.7 months.
- Letrozole+dasatinib had a median PFS of 20.1 months vs 9.9 months on letrozole alone.
- Letrozole+dasatinib had a median OS of 48.6 months vs 41.9 months on letrozole alone.
Limitations
- Noncomparative design.
- No placebo in combination with letrozole.
Only healthcare professionals with a Univadis account have access to this article.
You have reached your limit of complementary articles
Free Sign Up Available exclusively to healthcare professionals