1. INIBITORI DELL’AROMATASI
FRANCESCO BOCCARDO
INIBITORI DELL’AROMATASI
(back from San Antonio)
Professore Ordinario di Oncologia Medica, Università di Genova
Direttore Oncologia Medica B IST .Genova
Presidente Nazionale Associazione Italiana Oncologia Medica

2. ? ? ? ? ? ? Decision Points 1 4 3 2 3 4 Tamoxifen Aromatase inhibitor
Initial diagnosis
2-3 years after Tam or AI
5 years after Tam or AI
Beyond 10 years?
Tamoxifen
Aromatase inhibitor 1 ? 4 ? 3 ?
AI, aromatase inhibitor; Tam, tamoxifen
Several distinct patient populations can benefit from hormonal therapy; this slide highlights some of the nodal decision points regarding current thinking about the treatment of these various groups of women.
Some women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer must choose between upfront therapy with an AI vs upfront therapy with tamoxifen, followed by a planned crossover or sequence of treatment including an AI.
Women who have been on tamoxifen for 2 or 3 years must decide whether to remain on tamoxifen therapy or switch to an AI.
Similarly, women who are finishing approximately 5 years of tamoxifen need to decide whether to transition to an AI.
Remaining questions include how to treat a woman who has completed 5 years of AI therapy, but who may not have received tamoxifen, and determination of whether she should continue to receive an AI long-term. Similarly, it remains unclear how long to treat women who have received several years of tamoxifen followed by several years of an AI.
These are practical and important questions because we are already faced with such patients in clinical practice. 2 3 ? ? ? 4
5 years total
10 years total
> 10 years 2

3. Decision Points:after 2-3 yrs of Tam
Initial diagnosis
2-3 years after Tam
5 years after Tam or AI
More
IES
ABCSG8/ARNO95
ITA 1 ?
Tamoxifen
ABCSG8, Austrian Breast and Colorectal Study Group trial 8; AI, aromatase inhibitor; ARNO95, Arimidex-Nolvadex 95 trial; ATAC, Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination; BIG, Breast International Group; IES, Intergroup Exemestane Study; NSABP; National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project; Tam, tamoxifen.
All 3 approved aromatase inhibitors – anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole -- have been studied in large, definitive trials designed to evaluate the potential of aromatase inhibitors to improve the results over that seen with tamoxifen alone. The ATAC and BIG 1-98 studies challenged the primacy of tamoxifen as initial therapy. The IES and ABCSG8/ARNO95 studies evaluated the potential benefit of early switching from tamoxifen to aromatase inhibitors. Finally, NCIC MA.17 has provided important information on the issue of long‑term hormonal therapy after completion of 5 years of tamoxifen. ?
Aromatase inhibitor
5 years total
10 years total
> 10 years 3

4. The Lancet 9561:533-5, 2007

5. The Lancet 9561:533-5, 2007

6. The Lancet 9561:533-5, 2007

7. AIOG Metanalysis

11. ……….back from San Antonio 2008: take home #1
“There is a clear benefit (including a S benefit) in switching women already on treatment with Tam to an AI (anastrozole,exemestane) unless AI therapy is contraindicated”

12. Decision Points: Initial choice
Initial diagnosis
2-3 years after Tam
5 years after Tam or AI
Beyond 10 years?
Tamoxifen
Aromatase inhibitor ? ? 2
ATAC
BIG 1-98 monotherapy
TEAM 2.75 yr ? ? ?
5 years total
10 years total
> 10 years

14. ATAC:100 mos median follow-up , Lancet Oncology 2007

15. AIOG Metanalysis

19. : TEAM trial

23. ……….back from San Antonio 2008: take home #2
“Three drugs now available as front line
treatment:
Which drug or which patients?”

24. ATAC:100 mos median follow-up , Lancet Oncology 2007

25. Predicting the benefit and the risks. Tamoxifen vs Ais:
Tumor Profile
Patient Profile
ERPgR
HER2
Recurrence Score
Cyclin E
uPA/uPAI-1
Bcl-2
ER-beta
Osteoporosis
Hypercholesterolemia
CV risk factors
Endometrial pathologies
DVT & TE risk factors
SSRI use
CYP 19 Genotype
CYP2D6 Genotype

26. TRANSACT

29. ABCSG 8

33. ……….back from San Antonio 2008: take home #3
“Starting with an Ai is a reasonable choice especially in certain patient subsets (i.e. PgRneg,HER2 pos,HRScore Node neg,poor metabolizers of CYP2D6….!):however:
1) no major mortality advantge
2) No over rate in selecting patients “

34. Decision Points:sequencing
Initial diagnosis
2-3 years after Tam or AI
5 years after Tam or AI
Beyond 10 years?
Tamoxifen
Aromatase inhibitor 1 ? 4 ? 3
ABCSG8
TEAM 5-yr:
n.a. yet ?
AI, aromatase inhibitor; Tam, tamoxifen
Several distinct patient populations can benefit from hormonal therapy; this slide highlights some of the nodal decision points regarding current thinking about the treatment of these various groups of women.
Some women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer must choose between upfront therapy with an AI vs upfront therapy with tamoxifen, followed by a planned crossover or sequence of treatment including an AI.
Women who have been on tamoxifen for 2 or 3 years must decide whether to remain on tamoxifen therapy or switch to an AI.
Similarly, women who are finishing approximately 5 years of tamoxifen need to decide whether to transition to an AI.
Remaining questions include how to treat a woman who has completed 5 years of AI therapy, but who may not have received tamoxifen, and determination of whether she should continue to receive an AI long-term. Similarly, it remains unclear how long to treat women who have received several years of tamoxifen followed by several years of an AI.
These are practical and important questions because we are already faced with such patients in clinical practice. 2 3
BIG-1-98 ? ? ? 4
5 years total
10 years total
> 10 years 34

35. ABCSG Trial 8 Sequencing versus TAM Switch point Switching period
Tamoxifen (2 years)
Tamoxifen (3 years)
Randomi ze
Primary surgery
ABCSG, Austrian Breast Cancer Study Group.
The ABCSG trial 8 is unique among the switching trials in that patients were randomized before initiation of 2 years of tamoxifen. Thus, ABSCG trial 8 provides some overall information on how patients respond, including the patients who relapse early on tamoxifen. This has been a key question in ascertaining whether it is better to initiate aromatase inhibitor therapy at the start of hormonal therapy or use the sequencing approach.
Tamoxifen (2 years)
Anastrozole (3 years)
Switching period
Sequencing period
Jakesz R, et al. Lancet. 2005;366: 35

36. Time Since Surgery (Months)
ABCSG 8 seq:Event-Free Survival following surgery (n = 2926)
100
94.4% 95 90
92.9%
EFS (%) 85
Events T
101
T  A 79 HR
0.76
P Value
.068
A, anastrozole; EFS, event-free survival; HR, hazard ratio; T, tamoxifen.
In looking at the 5‑year event-free survival from initiation of hormonal therapy, the switch from tamoxifen to anastrozole improved rates from 92.9% to 94.4%, respectively. This corresponded to a hazard ratio of 0.76 (P = .068). 80 T 75
T  A 12 24 36 48 60 72
Time Since Surgery (Months)
Jakesz R, et al SABCS. Abstract 13 36

37. Sequencing versus LTZ

42. Take home #3

43. DOUBLE TRIAL Switch point Switching period Sequencing period LTZ/ANA
(2 years)
Examestane (3 years)
Randomi ze
Primary surgery
ABCSG, Austrian Breast Cancer Study Group.
The ABCSG trial 8 is unique among the switching trials in that patients were randomized before initiation of 2 years of tamoxifen. Thus, ABSCG trial 8 provides some overall information on how patients respond, including the patients who relapse early on tamoxifen. This has been a key question in ascertaining whether it is better to initiate aromatase inhibitor therapy at the start of hormonal therapy or use the sequencing approach.
LTZ/ANA (2 years)
LTZ/ANA (3 years)
Switching period
Sequencing period 43

44. ……….back from S. Antonio 2008: Take home #4
“sequencing TAM with an Ai is probably better
than TAM alone,but does not offer major
advantages vs Ai alone; switching from an
Ai to TAM is possible if required… “

45. Decision Points:after 5 yrs of Tam
Initial diagnosis
2-3 years after Tam
5 years after Tam or AI
More
NSABP B-14 ?
MA.17
ABCSG6a
Tamoxifen ?
ABCSG8, Austrian Breast and Colorectal Study Group trial 8; AI, aromatase inhibitor; ARNO95, Arimidex-Nolvadex 95 trial; ATAC, Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination; BIG, Breast International Group; IES, Intergroup Exemestane Study; NSABP; National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project; Tam, tamoxifen.
All 3 approved aromatase inhibitors – anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole -- have been studied in large, definitive trials designed to evaluate the potential of aromatase inhibitors to improve the results over that seen with tamoxifen alone. The ATAC and BIG 1-98 studies challenged the primacy of tamoxifen as initial therapy. The IES and ABCSG8/ARNO95 studies evaluated the potential benefit of early switching from tamoxifen to aromatase inhibitors. Finally, NCIC MA.17 has provided important information on the issue of long‑term hormonal therapy after completion of 5 years of tamoxifen.
Aromatase inhibitor
NSABP B-42
5 years total
10 years total
> 10 years

46. NSABP B-14: No Benefit of Extending Tamoxifen Beyond 5 Years
DFS OS
100
100
94% 90 90
91%
82%
P = .07 80
P = .03 80
Percentage of Patients
78%
Percentage of Patients 70
Placebo
Tamoxifen 70
Placebo
Tamoxifen 60 60
DFS, disease-free survival; OS, overall survival.
At 7 years of follow‑up following rerandomization, patients continuing tamoxifen had a lower disease‑free survival of 78% compared with 82% in those receiving placebo (P = .03). There was also a 3% difference in overall survival favoring placebo, which did not quite reach statistical significance at (P = .07). Although the study clearly demonstrated discontinuation of tamoxifen after 5 years of therapy was appropriate for these node-negative, hormone receptor–positive patients, it is important to note that 18% of the placebo arms had subsequent events in the 7 years after completion of standard tamoxifen therapy. 50 50 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Years
Years
Tamoxifen demonstrated higher rates of endometrial cancer, and more deaths from ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease
Fisher B, et al. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2001;93:

47. MA.17: Key Endpoints in Nodal Subgroups
Preplanned analysis (n = 5187)
HR: 0.45
( )
HR: 0.63
( )
HR: 1.52
( )
Node* neg
Node neg
Node neg
Distant* DFS
HR: 0.82
( )
DFS* OS
DFS, disease-free survival; HR, hazard ratio; neg, negative; OS, overall survival; pos, positive.
The sample size allowed for a planned analysis of benefit by nodal status. The hazard ratio for disease‑free survival was similar for both node-negative and node-positive patients and reached statistical significance. For distant disease-free survival, the hazard rates were again similar, although significance was only noted in the higher event node-positive group. Interestingly, survival was improved in node-positive patients, but no benefit was apparent among node-negative patients and the hazard ratio was actually greater than 1, although the confidence interval ranged from
HR: 0.58
( )
HR: 0.61
Node* pos
Node* pos
Node* pos
HR: 0.61
( )
HR: 0.53
( )
HR: 0.61
( )
*non statistically significant
Goss PE, et al. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2005;97:

48. Adjusted HR (PLAC-LET to PLAC) for Efficacy Outcomes :postumblinding
Disease-free survival
Distant disease-free survival
Overall survival
Contralateral breast cancer
0.6
0.53
0.5
p=0.05
P = .05
0.4
Hazard Ratio
0.31
0.28
0.3
HR, hazard ratio; LET, letrozole; PLAC, placebo.
In fact, the hazard ratios for disease‑free survival, distant disease‑free survival, and contralateral breast cancer were strikingly low at 0.31, 0.28, and 0.23, respectively. The overall survival hazard ratio was also a remarkable 0.53.
p<0.0001
0.23
P < .0001
p=0.002
P = .002
0.2
p=0.012
P = .012
0.1
PLAC-LET to PLAC
Goss PE, et al. SABCS Abstract 16.

49. ………back from S.Antonio 2008: Take home #5
“ Late switching after 5 yrs of TAM: no news “

50. Decision Points:after 5 yrs of AIs
Initial diagnosis
2-3 years after Tam
5 years after Tam or AI
More
NSABP B-14 ?
MA.17
Tamoxifen ?
ABCSG8, Austrian Breast and Colorectal Study Group trial 8; AI, aromatase inhibitor; ARNO95, Arimidex-Nolvadex 95 trial; ATAC, Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination; BIG, Breast International Group; IES, Intergroup Exemestane Study; NSABP; National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project; Tam, tamoxifen.
All 3 approved aromatase inhibitors – anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole -- have been studied in large, definitive trials designed to evaluate the potential of aromatase inhibitors to improve the results over that seen with tamoxifen alone. The ATAC and BIG 1-98 studies challenged the primacy of tamoxifen as initial therapy. The IES and ABCSG8/ARNO95 studies evaluated the potential benefit of early switching from tamoxifen to aromatase inhibitors. Finally, NCIC MA.17 has provided important information on the issue of long‑term hormonal therapy after completion of 5 years of tamoxifen.
Aromatase inhibitor
NSABP B-42
MA.17-R
5 years total
10 years total
> 10 years

51. NSABP B-42: Study Design Letrozole x 5 yrs AI x 5 yrs Tam x 2-3 yrs
Letrozole vs placebo after 5 years; not yet enrolling
Letrozole x 5 yrs
AI x 5 yrs
Tam x 2-3 yrs
AI x 3-2 yrs
Placebo x 5 yrs
NSABP, National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project; AI, aromatase inhibitor; Tam, tamoxifen
The National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) has initiated trial B-42, a study which is still being formulated but which will hopefully begin accruing patients soon. B-42 will evaluate women who have had either 5 years of an AI as their primary adjuvant endocrine treatment or primary treatment consisting of 2-3 years of tamoxifen followed by 2-3 years of an AI. Obviously, these women will still be free of cancer recurrence and would then be eligible for treatment with either letrozole or a placebo. The goal here is to clarify the duration of AI therapy in women who have already been cancer free for at least 5 years.

52. MA.17R: Design 5 years’ early adjuvant 5 years’ extended adjuvant
Rerandomization (Disease-free)
Letrozole 2.5 mg qd
Letrozole
Placebo qd
5 years’ early adjuvant
5 years’ extended adjuvant
DFS, disease-free survival; OS, overall survival; qd, once daily; QoL, quality of life
The MA.17R trial is attempting to determine the optimal duration of endocrine therapy for women with early‑stage breast cancer. Interestingly, lifelong estrogen deprivation as a potential treatment option for women with a history of breast cancer is being considered. However, it is unclear whether lifelong therapy is better than endocrine therapy of finite duration. Ongoing side effects of estrogen deprivation include menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, vaginal dryness, and hypercholesterolemia. Moreover, the long-term risks are unclear. Thus, MA.17‑R stands as a seminal study beginning to define these questions of treatment duration.
[What does the * after Disease-free refer to? (GK)] okay to delete … we moved the “disease-free” up. AHW
[Added apostrophes after years, as in slide 23. (GK)]
Primary endpoint: DFS
Secondary endpoints: OS, incidence of contralateral breast cancer, long-term clinical and laboratory safety, overall QoL, menopausal QoL

53. …….back from S. Antonio 2008: Take home #6
“ are trials concerning Ai optimal duration still
justified? “

54. ZO-FAST

56. Immediate Therapy With Zoledronic Acid Prevents Bone Loss and Improves DFS in Women With Early Breast Cancer Receiving Letrozole
Zometa-Femara Adjuvant Synergy Trial (ZO-FAST): 36-month follow-up results of multicenter, randomized phase III trial[1]

57. …….back from S. Antonio 2008: Take home #7
“ the seed and soil theory likely to work: data
from ABCSG 12 confirmed!”

58. AIs IN THE ADJUVANT SETTING,back from San Antonio 2008:
EARLY
SWITCHING : 1) the new standard for the patients already on treatment with
TAM from 2 or 3 yrs
2) switching from LTZ to TAM after 2-3 yrs possible if required
LATE
SWITCHING : a reasonable option for patients at the completion of 5 yrs of
TAM, namely for N pos (no news from San Antonio)
UPFRONT : the choice for the patients who have contraindications to the
use of TAM. A reasonable choice for the patients at higher risk
of relapse (HR score) or for whom a suboptimal response to
TAM might be predicted (CYPD26) : cost/benefit to be defined
in the individual patient (no S advantage on the average)
SEQUENCING : 1) no better /no worse than LTZ
2) no evidence yet in respect to TAM

59. ………back from S.Antonio 2008: Take home #8
“ THANK YOU! ”