Zanidatamab plus palbociclib and fulvestrant in previously treated patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: primary results from a two-part, multicentre, single-arm, phase 2a study

Abstract

Background

New HER2-targeted regimens, including chemotherapy-free options, are needed for metastatic breast cancer. In an ongoing, two-part, phase 2a study, we assessed the safety and antitumour activity of zanidatamab, a HER2-targeted bispecific antibody, plus palbociclib and fulvestrant, in heavily pretreated patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

Methods

This multicentre, single-arm, two-part, phase 2a study is being conducted at 13 university hospitals, cancer centres, or research institutes in Spain, Canada, and the USA. Eligible patients were adults (aged ≥18 years) with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1, and with pathologically confirmed unresectable or metastatic breast cancer, assessed locally to be hormone receptor-positive and HER2-positive, with disease progression during or after previous HER2-targeted therapies. Patients were enrolled in part 1, part 2, or part 1 followed by part 2. In part 1, patients received starting doses of zanidatamab (20 mg/kg intravenously once every 2 weeks on days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle) with palbociclib (125 mg orally once a day on days 1–21 of each cycle) and fulvestrant (500 mg intramuscular injection once every 2 weeks for the first three doses [cycle 1: days 1 and 15, cycle 2: day 1], then once every 4 weeks [all subsequent cycles: day 1]). In part 1, primary endpoints were safety of the triplet combination and confirmation of recommended doses for part 2. In part 2, patients received the recommended doses confirmed in part 1, and the primary endpoint was progression-free survival at 6 months. Safety and progression-free survival were assessed in all enrolled patients who received any dose of zanidatamab, palbociclib, or fulvestrant. Patients in part 1 who were treated at the recommended doses were analysed together with the patients in part 2. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04224272, and is active with recruitment completed.

Findings

Overall, 51 patients (49 [96%] female and two [4%] male; median age 54·0 [46·0–62·0] years; 42 [82%] White) were enrolled: eight in part 1 (June 10, 2020–Feb 7, 2021) and 43 in part 2 (Feb 8, 2021–Oct 31, 2022). All 51 patients had received study treatment at the data cutoff (Aug 3, 2023); median follow-up was 16·1 months (IQR 9·9–23·4) and the median duration of triplet regimen treatment was 7·4 months (3·4–14·8). The median number of previous HER2-targeted therapies was 4 (IQR 3–4). 12 (24%) of 51 patients had previously received trastuzumab deruxtecan. The planned starting drug doses administered in part 1 of the study were confirmed as the recommended doses for part 2. All 51 patients were treated at the recommended doses. All 51 patients had at least one treatment-related adverse event of any grade, with diarrhoea being the most common (41 [80%] patients, with 34 [67%] having grade 1–2 events). Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 34 (67%) patients, with neutropenia being the most common (26 [51%] patients). One (2%) patient had a serious grade 3 treatment-related adverse event of increased transaminases. No treatment-related deaths occurred. In the overall sample (N=51), progression-free survival at 6 months was 66·7% (95% CI 52·1–79·2).

Interpretation

Zanidatamab plus palbociclib and fulvestrant was generally safe and showed promising antitumour activity, supporting further evaluation of this chemotherapy-free triplet regimen.

Funding

Zymeworks, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and Pfizer.