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Randomized Phase II Study of Preoperative Letrozole (Femara) in Combination With Avastin in Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

Randomized Phase II Study of Preoperative Letrozole (Femara) in Combination With Avastin in Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

Status
Terminated
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00461773
Enrollment
5
Registered
2007-04-18
Start date
2007-03-31
Completion date
2010-05-31
Last updated
2021-03-16

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Breast Cancer, Hormone-Sensitive Breast Cancer

Keywords

Neoadjuvant treatment

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the objective response rate of a combination of letrozole (Femara) and bevacizumab (Avastin) given preoperatively to postmenopausal patients with hormone sensitive breast cancer.

Interventions

DRUGLetrozole

Letrozole 2.5 mg po qd

DRUGBevacizumab

bevacizumab 10 mg/kg IV

Sponsors

Novartis
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Genentech, Inc.
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Yale University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Histologically confirmed operable or potentially operable invasive breast adenocarcinoma that is clinically palpable and measurable * Age ≥ 18 years * Clinical Stage T2-4, N0-3, M0 (Stage II-III) * Postmenopausal defined as Age ≥ 60 years and/or Age \>45 years with amenorrhea 12 months with an intact uterus and/or History of bilateral oophorectomy and/or FSH and estradiol levels in postmenopausal range * ECOG PS 0, 1 * Unifocal disease * ER and/or PR positive * Adequate hematological, renal, and hepatic functions Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/µL Platelet count ≥ 100,000/µL creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL Serum total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dL Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 3X the ULN for the reference lab SGOT/SGPT ≤ 3X the ULN for the reference lab * Patients or their legal representatives must be able to read, understand and provide informed consent to participate in the trial * Use of effective means of contraception (men and women) in subjects of child-bearing potential

Exclusion criteria

* Prior history of and/or therapy for invasive breast cancer (includes chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal therapy including AIs, tamoxifen, raloxifene, fulvestrant or any other antiestrogen/SERM) * Clinically significant cardiovascular disease, EF \<50% * Known CNS disease * History of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism * Proteinuria at screening as demonstrated by either Urine protein:creatinine (UPC) ratio ≥ 1.0 at screening OR Urine dipstick for proteinuria ≥ 2+ (patients discovered to have ≥2+ proteinuria on dipstick urinalysis at baseline should undergo a 24 hour urine collection and must demonstrate ≤ 1g of protein in 24 hours to be eligible). * Presence of non-healing wound or fracture * Current, recent (within 4 weeks of the first infusion of this study), or planned participation in an experimental drug study other than a Genentech-sponsored bevacizumab cancer study * Inadequately controlled hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure \>150 and/or diastolic blood pressure \> 100 mmHg on antihypertensive medications) * Any prior history of hypertensive crisis or hypertensive encephalopathy * New York Heart Association (NYHA) Grade II or greater congestive heart failure (see Appendix E) * History of myocardial infarction or unstable angina within 12 months prior to study enrollment * Any history of stroke or transient ischemic attack at any time * Significant vascular disease (e.g., aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection) * Symptomatic peripheral vascular disease * Evidence of bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy * Major surgical procedure, open biopsy, or significant traumatic injury within 28 days prior to Day 0 * Core biopsy or other minor surgical procedures such as fine needle aspirations or core biopsies within 7 days prior to Day 0 * Pregnant (positive pregnancy test) or lactating. Use of effective means of contraception (men and women) in subjects of child-bearing potential is mandatory * History of abdominal fistula, gastrointestinal perforation, or intra-abdominal abscess within 6 months prior to Day 0 * Known hypersensitivity to any component of bevacizumab or letrozole * Inability to comply with study and/or follow-up procedures

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Patients With Objective Tumor ResponseUp to 18 weeksClinical objective tumor response with 14 weeks of Neoadjuvant Letrozole combined with Bevacizumab was assessed using the following categories: Complete Response (CR): tumor is no longer visible. Partial response (PR): ≥ 50% decrease from baseline in the product of two perpendicular diameters, no new lesions. Progressive disease (PD): ≥ 25% increase of the product of two perpendicular diameters or new lesions. Stable Disease (SD): Neither CR, PR, or PD criteria met. Clinical tumor assessment was performed at baseline and every 2 weeks until week 18 prior to definitive surgery.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Breast ConservationUp to 14 weeksTo assess breast conservation (actual surgery performed and baseline feasible surgery) of 14 weeks of neoadjuvant letrozole combined with bevacizumab. At baseline and immediately prior to surgery, the investigator will record the extent of the least invasive feasible surgery option at that time point, according to the following categories: 1. Breast conserving surgery is feasible; 2. A mastectomy is needed; 3. Tumor is inoperable, but potentially operable after neoadjuvant treatment. Following surgery, the investigator will record the extent of the actual surgery performed according to the following categories: 1\. Breast conserving surgery performed; 2. Mastectomy performed 3. No surgery performed (reason should be specified).
Radiographic Tumor Response18 weeksTo assess radiographic tumor response after 14 weeks of Neoadjuvant Letrozole combined with Bevacizumab, mammogram were performed at baseline and at week 18 prior to definitive surgery. Tumors response was assessed using RECIST criteria RECIST: CR: Tumor is no longer visible PR: ≥ 30% decrease from baseline in the longest diameter, no new lesions PD: ≥ 20% increase in longest diameter recorded or new lesions SD: Neither CR, PR, or PD criteria met
Pathologic Complete ResponseUp to 18 weeksTo assess pathologic complete response after 14 Weeks of Neoadjuvant Letrozole combined with Bevacizumab, the pathologic response was determined on the surgically excised specimen at the time of definitive surgery. The size of the residual tumor would be measured grossly if possible and confirmed microscopically. The excised residual tumor was be assessed using RECIST criteria. RECIST: CR: Tumor is no longer visible PR: ≥ 30% decrease from baseline in the longest diameter, no new lesions PD: ≥ 20% increase in longest diameter recorded or new lesions SD: Neither CR, PR, or PD criteria met
Tumor Response With Biological Correlates2 weeksTo correlate response with biological correlates detected at baseline and after 1 cycle of treatment with either Bevacizumab alone or Bevacizumab combined with Letrozole.
Drug TolerabilityUp to 18 weeksTo assess the tolerability of 14 weeks of Neoadjuvant Letrozole combined with Bevacizumab, individual toxicities were graded according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) Version 3.0. Information about all adverse events, whether volunteered by the subject, discovered by investigator questioning, or detected through physical examination, laboratory test or other means, were collected and recorded on the Adverse Event Case Report Form and followed as appropriate. An adverse event (AE) is any undesirable sign, symptom or medical condition occurring after starting study drug (or therapy) even if the event is not considered to be related to study drug (or therapy). Study drug (or therapy) includes the drug (or therapy) under evaluation, and any reference or placebo drug (or therapy) given during any phase of the trial. AE's graded 3 or 4 would be considered serious and be reported as measures of tolerability.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Bevacizumab
brief exposure bevacizumab
3
Bevacizumab and Letrozole
brief exposure bevacizumab and letrozole
2
Total5

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicBevacizumabBevacizumab and LetrozoleTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
2 Participants2 Participants4 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
3 Participants2 Participants5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 30 / 2
other
Total, other adverse events
3 / 32 / 2
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 30 / 2

Outcome results

Primary

Number of Patients With Objective Tumor Response

Clinical objective tumor response with 14 weeks of Neoadjuvant Letrozole combined with Bevacizumab was assessed using the following categories: Complete Response (CR): tumor is no longer visible. Partial response (PR): ≥ 50% decrease from baseline in the product of two perpendicular diameters, no new lesions. Progressive disease (PD): ≥ 25% increase of the product of two perpendicular diameters or new lesions. Stable Disease (SD): Neither CR, PR, or PD criteria met. Clinical tumor assessment was performed at baseline and every 2 weeks until week 18 prior to definitive surgery.

Time frame: Up to 18 weeks

Population: All patients.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
BevacizumabNumber of Patients With Objective Tumor ResponseStable Disease0 Participants
BevacizumabNumber of Patients With Objective Tumor ResponsePartial Response2 Participants
BevacizumabNumber of Patients With Objective Tumor ResponseComplete Response1 Participants
BevacizumabNumber of Patients With Objective Tumor ResponseProgressive Disease0 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozoleNumber of Patients With Objective Tumor ResponseStable Disease1 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozoleNumber of Patients With Objective Tumor ResponseProgressive Disease0 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozoleNumber of Patients With Objective Tumor ResponseComplete Response0 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozoleNumber of Patients With Objective Tumor ResponsePartial Response1 Participants
Secondary

Breast Conservation

To assess breast conservation (actual surgery performed and baseline feasible surgery) of 14 weeks of neoadjuvant letrozole combined with bevacizumab. At baseline and immediately prior to surgery, the investigator will record the extent of the least invasive feasible surgery option at that time point, according to the following categories: 1. Breast conserving surgery is feasible; 2. A mastectomy is needed; 3. Tumor is inoperable, but potentially operable after neoadjuvant treatment. Following surgery, the investigator will record the extent of the actual surgery performed according to the following categories: 1\. Breast conserving surgery performed; 2. Mastectomy performed 3. No surgery performed (reason should be specified).

Time frame: Up to 14 weeks

Population: All patients.

ArmMeasureGroupCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
BevacizumabBreast ConservationBreast Conservation Feasible BaselinePerformed at 14 weeks2 Participants
BevacizumabBreast ConservationBreast Conservation Feasible BaselineNot Performed at 14 weeks0 Participants
BevacizumabBreast ConservationMastectomy Needed at BaselinePerformed at 14 weeks1 Participants
BevacizumabBreast ConservationMastectomy Needed at BaselineNot Performed at 14 weeks0 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozoleBreast ConservationMastectomy Needed at BaselineNot Performed at 14 weeks0 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozoleBreast ConservationBreast Conservation Feasible BaselinePerformed at 14 weeks1 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozoleBreast ConservationMastectomy Needed at BaselinePerformed at 14 weeks1 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozoleBreast ConservationBreast Conservation Feasible BaselineNot Performed at 14 weeks0 Participants
Secondary

Drug Tolerability

To assess the tolerability of 14 weeks of Neoadjuvant Letrozole combined with Bevacizumab, individual toxicities were graded according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) Version 3.0. Information about all adverse events, whether volunteered by the subject, discovered by investigator questioning, or detected through physical examination, laboratory test or other means, were collected and recorded on the Adverse Event Case Report Form and followed as appropriate. An adverse event (AE) is any undesirable sign, symptom or medical condition occurring after starting study drug (or therapy) even if the event is not considered to be related to study drug (or therapy). Study drug (or therapy) includes the drug (or therapy) under evaluation, and any reference or placebo drug (or therapy) given during any phase of the trial. AE's graded 3 or 4 would be considered serious and be reported as measures of tolerability.

Time frame: Up to 18 weeks

Population: All adverse events are presented in the adverse event module.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
BevacizumabDrug TolerabilityAny Grade 4 Adverse Events0 Participants
BevacizumabDrug TolerabilityAny Grade 3 Adverse Events0 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozoleDrug TolerabilityAny Grade 3 Adverse Events0 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozoleDrug TolerabilityAny Grade 4 Adverse Events0 Participants
Secondary

Pathologic Complete Response

To assess pathologic complete response after 14 Weeks of Neoadjuvant Letrozole combined with Bevacizumab, the pathologic response was determined on the surgically excised specimen at the time of definitive surgery. The size of the residual tumor would be measured grossly if possible and confirmed microscopically. The excised residual tumor was be assessed using RECIST criteria. RECIST: CR: Tumor is no longer visible PR: ≥ 30% decrease from baseline in the longest diameter, no new lesions PD: ≥ 20% increase in longest diameter recorded or new lesions SD: Neither CR, PR, or PD criteria met

Time frame: Up to 18 weeks

Population: All patients.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
BevacizumabPathologic Complete ResponseCR0 Participants
BevacizumabPathologic Complete ResponsePD1 Participants
BevacizumabPathologic Complete ResponsePR1 Participants
BevacizumabPathologic Complete ResponseSD1 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozolePathologic Complete ResponseSD0 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozolePathologic Complete ResponseCR0 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozolePathologic Complete ResponsePR1 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozolePathologic Complete ResponsePD1 Participants
Secondary

Radiographic Tumor Response

To assess radiographic tumor response after 14 weeks of Neoadjuvant Letrozole combined with Bevacizumab, mammogram were performed at baseline and at week 18 prior to definitive surgery. Tumors response was assessed using RECIST criteria RECIST: CR: Tumor is no longer visible PR: ≥ 30% decrease from baseline in the longest diameter, no new lesions PD: ≥ 20% increase in longest diameter recorded or new lesions SD: Neither CR, PR, or PD criteria met

Time frame: 18 weeks

Population: All patients.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
BevacizumabRadiographic Tumor ResponseCR0 Participants
BevacizumabRadiographic Tumor ResponsePD0 Participants
BevacizumabRadiographic Tumor ResponseSD1 Participants
BevacizumabRadiographic Tumor ResponsePR2 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozoleRadiographic Tumor ResponseSD0 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozoleRadiographic Tumor ResponseCR0 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozoleRadiographic Tumor ResponsePR2 Participants
Bevacizumab and LetrozoleRadiographic Tumor ResponsePD0 Participants
Secondary

Tumor Response With Biological Correlates

To correlate response with biological correlates detected at baseline and after 1 cycle of treatment with either Bevacizumab alone or Bevacizumab combined with Letrozole.

Time frame: 2 weeks

Population: These labs were never conducted as the study was terminated after 5 patients.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026