TRIO-US B-12 TALENT: Phase II neoadjuvant trial evaluating trastuzumab deruxtecan with or without anastrozole for HER2-low, HR+ early stage breast cancer.
Authors: Sara A. Hurvitz, Parvin F. Peddi, Merry L. Tetef, Nicholas Patrick McAndrew, Aashini K. Master, Maggie L. DiNome, Minna K Lee, Lisa S. Wang, Laura Spring, Christine Kivork, James Chauv, Aditya Bardia
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2021)

TPS603 Background: Although patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/HER2-negative breast cancer (BC) frequently respond clinically to neoadjuvant treatment, fewer than 10% achieve a pathologic complete response (pCR) with standard chemotherapy or endocrine therapy, even in combination with targeted agents such as CDK4/6 inhibitors. Thus, finding more effective therapies for this disease remains an area of unmet need. HER2 amplification is a known driver of endocrine resistance and HER2 protein may be expressed at a low level (IHC 1+ or 2+) in up to 60% of HR+ BC. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a, T-DXd) is a novel HER2-targeting antibody drug conjugate (ADC) that is FDA approved for HER2-positive metastatic BC and has demonstrated promising clinical efficacy in HER2-low BC with an objective response rate of ̃37%. The aim of TALENT (TRIO-US B-12) is to evaluate the clinical activity and toxicity of neoadjuvant T-DXd either alone or in combination with endocrine therapy in patients with HR+/HER2-low early BC. Methods: TRIO-US B-12 TALENT (NCT04553770) is an ongoing randomized, multicenter, open-label, two-stage, phase II neoadjuvant trial for participants with early stage, HR+, HER2-low expressing (1+ or 2+ by IHC) BC. Eligible participants include men and women with previously untreated, operable invasive BC greater than 2.0 cm (cT2) in size. Pts with recurrent or metastatic BC, or inflammatory BC are excluded. Pts are randomized 1:1 to receive six cycles of T-DXd (5.4 mg/kg IV q21 days) either alone or in combination with anastrozole (1 mg PO QD). Men and pre/peri menopausal women randomized to the anastrozole arm also receive standard of care GnRH agonist. Stratification factors include HER2 expression (1+ or 2+) and menopausal status. Tumor tissue is taken at baseline, cycle 1 day 17-21, and at surgery. Blood samples are taken at four time points for biomarker analysis. The primary endpoint is pCR rate (breast and lymph node) at definitive surgery. In stage I, 58 participants will be randomized (29/arm). If &gt;2 participants in an arm achieve pCR, that arm will expand (stage II) to enroll an additional 15 participants (total of 44/arm). A pCR rate of &gt;10% (5/44) would be considered favorable, warranting further evaluation of the treatment in a larger trial. Other endpoints include safety, changes in Ki67 expression, Residual Cancer Burden index, biomarker analysis (including serial cfDNA analysis), and health-related quality of life. As of January 2021, four participants have enrolled. Conclusions: To our knowledge this is the only ongoing study evaluating T-DXd with or without endocrine therapy for HR+, HER2-low breast cancer in the neoadjuvant setting. The study will shed light on clinical activity and biomarkers, which may guide larger confirmatory studies for patients with HR+, HER2-low early breast cancer. Clinical trial information: NCT04553770.