NEW CLINICAL TRIAL – PATINA

New Clinical Trial – PATINA Aims to Extend Survival Rates for Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer

The PATINA clinical trial will investigate if the addition of the new drug Palbociclib will improve survival rates for women with hormone receptor (HR) positive, HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer.

Metastatic breast cancer is cancer that has spread from the primary site (breast) to other parts of the body (distant sites). Despite significant improvements in the treatment of early-stage breast cancer, approximately 30% of women experience metastatic disease relapse.

The PATINA study aims to find out if people with metastatic breast cancer could benefit from the addition of Palbociclib, when given in combination with anti-HER2 therapy (trastuzumab and pertuzumab) and endocrine therapy.

Palbociclib works differently to endocrine treatment and stops cancer cells from growing by blocking the function of enzymes (proteins that help chemical reactions occur in the body) called Cyclin D Kinase 4 and 6 (CDK 4/6). CDK 4/6 are important enzymes that are part of the growth cycle of certain types of breast cancer cells.

Results from earlier clinical studies indicates that the combination of a CDK4/6 inhibitor with anti-HER2 therapy may prevent the spread of cancer cells. CDK4/6 inhibitors may also re-sensitise resistant HER-2 positive breast cancers to anti-HER2 therapies.

The PATINA clinical trial will investigate if the addition of palbociclib to first-line treatment of HER-2 positive breast cancer will delay the onset of therapeutic resistance and prolong survival, as well as finding out more about the side effects, safety and effectiveness of the drug combination.

Breast Cancer Trials is the largest, independent, oncology clinical trials research group in Australia and New Zealand. For almost 40 years, Breast Cancer Trials has conducted a national clinical trials research program for the treatment, prevention and cure of breast cancer. For more information about Breast Cancer Trials, visit www.breastcancertrials.org.au

Scientific Title A Randomized, Open Label, Phase III Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Palbociclib + Anti-HER2 Therapy + Endocrine Therapy vs. Anti-HER2 Therapy + Endocrine Therapy after Induction Treatment for Hormone Receptor Positive (HR+)/HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer.

For more information, please contact: Anna Fitzgerald, Breast Cancer Trials Communications Manager Phone: 02 4925 5255 or 0400 304 224 Email: anna.fitzgerald@bctrials.org.au