EPIK-B6: A phase 2, open-label, 2-part, multicenter study of alpelisib in combination with fulvestrant for men and postmenopausal women with PIK3CA mutation HR–positive, HER2-negative, advanced breast cancer, which progressed on/after aromatase inhibitor treatment in Japan.
Authors: Iwata Hiroji , Niikura Naoki , Sueki Hirohiko , Aruga Tomoyuki , Mukohara Toru , Kobayashi Kokoro , Yasojima Hiroyuki , Nakayama Takahiro , Toyama Tatsuya , Ishida Takanori , Yamashita Toshinari , Takahashi Masato , Fujii Takaaki , El-Hashimy Mona , Miller Michelle Kristine , Kurihara Ryohei 
Published: June 2023

TPS1117

Background: The PIK3CA oncogene mutation, seen in ~40% of patients with hormone receptor–positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HER2-) advanced breast cancer (aBC), is associated with endocrine treatment resistance and shorter survival. Alpelisib, an α-selective PI3K inhibitor and degrader, was established as standard therapy in combination with fulvestrant for patients with HR+, HER2-, PIK3CA-mutated aBC following progression on/after endocrine-based regimen based on the phase 3 SOLAR-1 study. However, alpelisib is not yet approved in Japan. In the SOLAR-1 study, a high percentage of Japanese patients experienced dose reductions/interruptions (78.5% vs 84.4%), and/or discontinuation (56.3% vs 25.0%) of alpelisib in early stages compared with overall population, due to adverse events such as rash and hyperglycemia. Thus, it is difficult to assess the consistency of the benefit of alpelisib + fulvestrant in Japanese patients as compared to overall population due to the short duration of alpelisib exposure and low-dose intensity. The EPIK-B6 study aims to determine the recommended dose (RD) of alpelisib in Japanese patients as well as assess the efficacy and safety of alpelisib + fulvestrant in Japanese men and postmenopausal women with HR+, HER2-, PIK3CA-mutated aBC, which progressed while on/after aromatase inhibitor treatment, prior/post CDK 4/6i use. Methods: The EPIK-B6 study is designed as a phase 2, open-labelled, 2-part, multicenter study. Part 1 is to determine RD of alpelisib to be used in part 2. Part 2 is designed to assess the efficacy and safety of alpelisib (RD starting on cycle 1 day 1 [C1D1]) + fulvestrant (500 mg on C1D1 and C1D15, and D1 of subsequent cycles) after completion of part 1, in participants with/without prior CDK 4/6i use. Adult Japanese men or postmenopausal women with confirmed HR+, HER2-, PIK3CA-mutated aBC and ≥1 measurable lesion as per RECIST 1.1 criteria are eligible. Patients previously treated with fulvestrant, any PI3K, mTOR or AKT inhibitors are excluded. Use of prophylactic antihistamine is highly recommended for prevention of rash. The primary endpoint for part 2 is overall response rate based on assessments per RECIST 1.1. Secondary endpoints include progression free survival, overall survival, clinical benefit rate, duration of response, time to response, time to deterioration of ECOG performance status, safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics. Part 1 has been completed, and recruitment for part 2 is ongoing until August 2023 approximately. As of December 2022, 9 and 8 patients are enrolled in part 1 and 2, respectively. The study will include approximately 50 participants. Primary Analysis is planned in 2024 after at least 6 months follow-up period. Clinical trial information: NCT04524000 .