Survival analysis of the randomised phase III GeparOcto trial comparing neoadjuvant chemotherapy of intense dose-dense epirubicin, paclitaxel, cyclophosphamide versus weekly paclitaxel, liposomal doxorubicin (plus carboplatin in triple-negative breast cancer) for patients with high-risk early breast cancer

Eur J Cancer. 2022 Jan:160:100-111. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.10.011. Epub 2021 Nov 17.

Abstract

Background: GeparOcto demonstrated that pathological complete response (pCR) of intense dose-dense epirubicin, paclitaxel and cyclophosphamide (iddEPC) was comparable to weekly paclitaxel/non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (plus carboplatin (PM(Cb) in triple-negative breast cancer [TNBC]) in high-risk early breast cancer (BC). Here, we report time-to-event secondary end-points.

Patients and methods: Patients were randomised to receive 18 weeks of E (150 mg/m2) followed by P (225 mg/m2) followed by C (2000 mg/m2), each q2w or weekly P (80 mg/m2) plus M (20 mg/m2) plus, in TNBC, Cb (AUC 1.5). Patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+)BC received trastuzumab (6[loading dose 8]mg/kg q3w) and pertuzumab (420[840]mg q3w) with P and C cycles.

Results: 945 patients started treatment (iddEPC n = 470; PM(Cb) n = 475). After a median follow-up of 47.0 (range 1.6-61.5) months, 162 (75 in iddEPC; 87 in PM(Cb)) invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) events and 79 (41 in iddEPC; 38 in PM(Cb)) deaths were reported. No significant difference was observed in 4-year iDFS (81.9% iddEPC versus 79.7% PM(Cb), HR = 1.16 [95%CI 0.85-1.59], log-rank p = 0.334) or 4-year overall survival (OS) (90.3% iddEPC versus 90.6% PM(Cb), HR = 0.90 [95%CI 0.58-1.40], log-rank p = 0.637) overall and in HER2+ and TNBC subgroups. HR+/HER2- BC patients, however, had significantly better 4-year iDFS (77.9% iddEPC versus 62.5% PM, HR = 2.11 [95%CI 1.08-4.10], log-rank p = 0.025) and 4-year OS with iddEPC (94.7% iddEPC versus 80.1% PM, HR = 3.26 [95%CI 1.06-10.00], log-rank p = 0.029).

Conclusion: While there was no difference in survival for the entire cohort, the HR+/HER2-subgroup significantly benefits from iddEPC. This supports the concept of an additional effect of NACT beyond pCR in patients with HR+/HER2- BC. CLINICALTRIALS.

Gov identifier: NCT02125344.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Dose-dense; Neoadjuvant chemotherapy; Survival.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase III
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Cyclophosphamide / pharmacology
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use*
  • Doxorubicin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Epirubicin / pharmacology
  • Epirubicin / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Paclitaxel / pharmacology
  • Paclitaxel / therapeutic use*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacology
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use
  • Risk Factors
  • Survival Analysis
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / mortality*

Substances

  • liposomal doxorubicin
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Epirubicin
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Paclitaxel

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02125344