Patterns and outcomes in HR+/HER2- advanced/metastatic breast cancer patients in Brazil receiving palbociclib
Creators: name: Simon, Patricia
name: Jain, Ankita
name: Guarin, Alexandra
name: Piton, Luciana
name: Carvalho, Carla Fabrine
name: Lima, Júlia
name: Nazareth, Felipe
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: Pharmacology
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Cancer
subject: Science Policy
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: FOS: Health sciences

description: <b>Aim:</b> To outline the demographic and clinical features, treatment approaches and clinical outcomes of patients treated with palbociclib as the initial therapy for HR+/HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer (aBC/mBC) in private healthcare facilities in Brazil. <b>Materials &amp; methods:</b> This study involved a retrospective review conducted from June 2022 to May 2023. <b>Results:</b> The study included 121 patients, with an average age of 54.4 years, and 82 (67.7%) were menopausal at the time of diagnosis. Of these, 51 patients (42.1%) were treated with palbociclib and fulvestrant, while 67 patients (55.8%) received palbociclib and aromatase inhibitors. Most patients (65.3%) did not need to adjust their doses. The progression-free survival rates were 78% at 6 months and 60% at 12 months. Overall survival rates were 86% at 6 months and 70% at 12 months. <b>Conclusion:</b> Palbociclib combinations show promising effectiveness in managing HR+/HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer. <b>Treatment &amp; results in Brazilian women with advanced or metastatic breast cancer given palbociclib</b> Breast cancer is a major health issue worldwide, and it is the most common cancer among women in Brazil, with death rates on the rise. A significant portion of breast cancer cases are hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and HER2-negative (HER2-), making targeted treatments essential. One such treatment is palbociclib, a medication that inhibits Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6), enzymes important in cell division. Clinical trials such as PALOMA-1, PALOMA-2 and PALOMA-3 have shown that palbociclib can help patients with advanced or metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer live longer without their disease getting worse. Studies in real-world settings around the world have confirmed these benefits, evaluating how well the treatment works over time. Palbociclib was approved for use in Brazil in 2018. This study looks back at the records of women treated with palbociclib in private healthcare settings in the country. It aims to provide crucial information which can help guide future treatment decisions. Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among females worldwide, with Brazil reporting around 66,000 new cases and over 16,000 deaths in 2017, making it the most prevalent neoplasm affecting women across all regions of the country. Palbociclib, a first-in-class CDK4/6 inhibitor, has shown significant efficacy in clinical trials for HR+/HER2- advanced/metastatic breast cancer, demonstrating improved progression-free survival rates in the PALOMA-1, PALOMA-2 and PALOMA-3 trials. This study aims to describe the demographics, clinical attributes, treatment patterns and outcomes of Brazilian women receiving palbociclib as a first-line treatment for HR+/HER2- advanced/metastatic breast cancer in private healthcare institutions, following its approval in Brazil in February 2018. Data was collected from 13 study sites across Brazil between 2 June 2022 and 2 May 2023, with variables including patient demographics, clinical and tumor characteristics, early treatment history and detailed documentation of palbociclib combination treatment and its outcomes. Palbociclib combinations exhibit favorable effectiveness, as measured by progression-free survival and overall survival rates. Discontinuation rates were low, suggesting that these combinations are well-tolerated in the real-world setting.