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A Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Trastuzumab Emtansine (Trastuzumab-MCC-DM1) vs. Trastuzumab (Herceptin®) and Docetaxel (Taxotere®) in Patients With Metastatic HER2-positive Breast Cancer Who Have Not Received Prior Chemotherapy for Metastatic Disease

A Randomized, Multicenter, Phase ii Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Trastuzumab-MCC-DM1 vs. Trastuzumab (Herceptin®) and Docetaxel (Taxotere®) in Patients With Metastatic HER2-positive Breast Cancer Who Have Not Received Prior Chemotherapy for Metastatic Disease

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00679341
Enrollment
137
Registered
2008-05-16
Start date
2008-09-30
Completion date
2012-05-31
Last updated
2014-01-09

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

Conditions

Breast Cancer

Keywords

HER2-positive breast cancer, HER2, Herceptin, Taxotere, MBC, Breast cancer, TDM1, TDM-1, HER2-positive, HER2+, HER2 positive breast cancer, HER2+ breast cancer, Armed Herceptin, Trastuzumab emtansine, Trastuzumab DM1

Brief summary

This was a Phase II, randomized, multicenter, international, 2-arm, open-label clinical trial designed to explore the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) relative to the combination of trastuzumab and docetaxel in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive, unresectable, locally advanced breast cancer and/or metastatic breast cancer who have not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease.

Interventions

DRUGTrastuzumab

The dose of trastuzumab was recalculated if body weight changed by more than ±10% from baseline. Trastuzumab was administered every 3 weeks until investigator-assessed radiographic or clinical progressive disease, or unmanageable toxicity. Patients in the trastuzumab + docetaxel arm who discontinued study treatment because of progressive disease were eligible to cross-over to trastuzumab emtansine treatment until a second progressive disease event, clinical deterioration, and/or intolerance.

The total dose depended on the patient's weight on Day 1 of each cycle. Trastuzumab emtansine was administered every 3 weeks until investigator-assessed radiographic or clinical progressive disease (or until second disease progression for patients who crossed over), unacceptable toxicity, or study closure, whichever occurred first.

DRUGDocetaxel

Docetaxel was given at a dose of 75 or 100 mg/m\^2 based on the investigator's decision. Patients in the trastuzumab + docetaxel arm who discontinued study treatment because of progressive disease were eligible to cross-over to trastuzumab emtansine treatment until a second progressive disease event, clinical deterioration, and/or intolerance.

Sponsors

Hoffmann-La Roche
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the breast with locally advanced or metastatic disease, and a candidate for chemotherapy. * Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive. * No prior chemotherapy for their metastatic breast cancer (MBC). * Measurable disease. * Age ≥ 18 years. * For women of childbearing potential and men with partners of childbearing potential, agreement to use a highly effective, non-hormonal form of contraception or 2 effective forms of non-hormonal contraception by the patient and/or partner. Contraception use must continue for the duration of study treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose of study treatment. Male patients whose partners are pregnant should use condoms for the duration of the study.

Exclusion criteria

* History of any chemotherapy for MBC. * An interval of \< 6 months from the completion of cytotoxic chemotherapy in the neo-adjuvant or adjuvant setting until the time of metastatic diagnosis. * Trastuzumab ≤ 21 days prior to randomization. * Hormone therapy \< 7 days prior to randomization. * Current peripheral neuropathy of Grade ≥ 3. * History of other malignancy within the last 5 years, except for appropriately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix, non-melanoma skin carcinoma, Stage I uterine cancer, or other cancers with a similar outcome as those previously mentioned. * Previous radiotherapy for the treatment of unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer is not allowed if more than 25% of marrow-bearing bone has been irradiated or the last fraction of radiotherapy has been administered within approximately 3 weeks prior to randomization. * Brain metastases that are untreated, symptomatic, or require therapy to control symptoms or any radiation, surgery, or other therapy to control symptoms from brain metastases within 2 months prior to randomization. * History of exposure to the following cumulative doses of anthracyclines: Doxorubicin or liposomal doxorubicin \> 500 mg/m\^2; epirubicin \> 900 mg/m\^2; mitoxantrone \> 120mg/m\^2 and idarubicin \> 90 mg/m\^2. * Current unstable angina. * History of symptomatic congestive heart failure, or ventricular arrhythmia requiring treatment. * History of myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to randomization. * Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below 50% within approximately 28 days prior to randomization. * History of decreased LVEF or symptomatic congestive heart failure (CHF) with previous adjuvant trastuzumab treatment. * Cardiac troponin I ≥ 0.2 ng/mL within 28 days of randomization. * Severe dyspnea at rest because of complications of advanced malignancy or requiring current continuous oxygen therapy. * Current severe, uncontrolled systemic disease (eg, clinically significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic disease; wound healing disorders; ulcers; or bone fractures). * Major surgical procedure or significant traumatic injury within approximately 28 days prior to randomization or anticipation of the need for major surgery during the course of study treatment. * Current pregnancy or lactation. * History of receiving any investigational treatment within approximately 28 days prior to randomization. * Current known infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), active hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C virus. * History of intolerance (including Grade 3-4 infusion reaction) or hypersensitivity to trastuzumab, murine proteins, or docetaxel. * Known hypersensitivity to any of the study drugs, including the excipients, or any drugs formulated in polysorbate 80. * Assessed by the investigator to be unable or unwilling to comply with the requirements of the protocol.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Progression-free Survival (PFS) by the Investigator Using Modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST)Baseline through the data cut-off date of 15 Nov 2010 (up to 2 years, 2 months)PFS was defined as the time from randomization (R) to first documented investigator-assessed radiographic or clinical disease progression (PD) or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first. For target lesions (TL), PD was defined as at least a 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter (SLD) of TLs, taking as reference the SLD recorded since treatment started or the appearance of 1 or more new lesions. For non-TLs, PD was defined as the appearance of 1 or more new lesions and/or unequivocal progression of existing non-TLs. Data for patients without PD or death were censored at the last date of tumor assessment prior to crossover (or, if no tumor assessment was performed after Baseline, at the R date +1 day). Data for patients who were lost to follow-up were censored at the last date of tumor assessment prior to crossover at which the patient was known to be progression free. Data for patients with no post-baseline tumor assessment were censored at the R date +1 day.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Objective Response Assessed by the Investigator Using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)Baseline through the data cut-off date of 15 Nov 2010 (up to 2 years, 2 months)A patient had an objective response if they had a complete response or a partial response on 2 consecutive occasions ≥ 4 weeks apart. For target lesions, a complete response was defined as the disappearance of all target lesions; a partial response was defined as at least a 30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum longest diameter. For non-target lesions, a complete response was defined as the disappearance of all non-target lesions; a partial response was defined as the persistence of 1 or more non-target lesions.
Duration of Objective Response Assessed by the Investigator Using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)Baseline through the data cut-off date of 15 Nov 2010 (up to 2 years, 2 months)Duration of objective response was defined as the time from initial response to investigator-assessed radiographic or clinical disease progression or death on study from any cause. For target lesions, disease progression was defined as at least a 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum of the longest diameter recorded since treatment started or the appearance of 1 or more new lesions. For non-target lesions, disease progression was defined as the appearance of 1 or more new lesions and/or unequivocal progression of existing non-target lesions. Target lesions should be selected on the basis of their size (those with the longest diameter) and their suitability for accurate repeated measurements by imaging techniques or clinically. All measurable lesions up to a maximum of 5 lesions per organ and 10 lesions in total, representative of all involved organs, should be identified as target lesions.
Clinical Benefit (CB) Assessed by the Investigator Using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)Baseline through the data cut-off date of 15 Nov 2010 (up to 2 years, 2 months)CB was defined as an objective response (complete response \[CR\], partial response \[PR\]) or stable disease (SD) for 6 months after randomization. For target lesions (TL), CR=the disappearance of all TL; PR=at least a 30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameter (LD) of TL, taking as reference the baseline sum LD; SD=neither sufficient shrinkage to qualify for PR nor sufficient increase to qualify for progressive disease (PD), taking as reference the smallest sum LD since the treatment started; PD=at least a 20% increase in the sum of the LD of TL, taking as reference the smallest sum of the LD recorded since the treatment started or the appearance of 1 or more new lesions. For non-TL, CR=the disappearance of all non-TL; PR=the persistence of 1 or more non-TL; SD=the persistence of 1 or more non-target lesion(s) and/or the maintenance of tumor marker level above the normal limits; PD=the appearance of 1 or more new lesions and/or unequivocal progression of existing non-TL.
Overall SurvivalBaseline through the data cut-off date of 31 Aug 2011 (up to 2 years, 11 months)Overall survival was defined as the time from randomization to the date of death from any cause. Patients who were alive at the time of analysis were censored at the date on which they were last known to be alive. Patients with no post-baseline were censored at the date of randomization plus 1 day.
Serum Concentrations (Area Under the Concentration-time Curve [AUC]) of Trastuzumab Emtansine and Total TrastuzumabBaseline through Cycle 5 (up to 4 months)Serum samples were collected from all 67 patients enrolled in the trastuzumab emtansine arm using sparse pharmacokinetic sampling. Blood samples were collected prior to dosing and 30 minutes post-infusion of trastuzumab emtansine at Cycles 1 and 5. Serum samples were assayed for trastuzumab emtansine and total trastuzumab (sum of unconjugated trastuzumab and emtansine conjugated to trastuzumab) in indirect sandwich ELISAs. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) was estimated based on non-compartmental analysis using WinNonlin (Version 5.2.1) software.
Plasma Concentration of Free EmtansineBaseline through Cycle 5 (up to 4 months)Plasma samples were collected from all 67 patients in the trastuzumab emtansine group 30 minutes post-infusion of trastuzumab emtansine at Cycles 1 and 5. The plasma samples were assayed for free emtansine in a mass-spectrometric assay.
Time to Symptom ProgressionBaseline through the data cut-off date of 15 Nov 2010 (up to 2 years, 2 months)Time to symptom progression was defined as the time from randomization to the first documentation of a ≥ 5-point decrease from baseline in the Trial Outcome Index-Physical/Functional/Breast (TOI-PFB) subscale score of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) questionnaire. The FACT-B questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure of symptoms associated with breast cancer. The TOI-PFB is a 24-item subscale generated using 3 subsections (Physical Well-Being \[7 items\], Functional Well-Being \[7 items\], and Additional Concerns \[10 items\]) from the FACT-B questionnaire. Patients responded to each item on a scale of 0-4 (Not at all-Very much). The total score ranged from 0 to 96. A higher score indicates fewer symptoms. A positive change score indicates improvement.

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Trastuzumab Emtansine
Patients received trastuzumab emtansine 3.6 mg/kg intravenously (IV) administered over 30-90 minutes every 3 weeks on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle.
67
Trastuzumab + Docetaxel
Patients received a loading dose of trastuzumab 8 mg/kg IV + docetaxel 75 or 100 mg/m\^2 IV on Day 1 of Cycle 1 followed by trastuzumab 6 mg/kg IV + docetaxel 75 or 100 mg/m\^2 IV on Day 1 of all subsequent 21-day cycles.
70
Total137

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyAdverse Event56
Overall StudyDeath11
Overall StudyDisease progression4236
Overall StudyNot treated02
Overall StudyOther10
Overall StudyPhysician Decision10
Overall StudyPhysician/patient decision to withdraw06
Overall StudySubject/guardian decision to discontinue30

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTrastuzumab EmtansineTrastuzumab + DocetaxelTotal
Age, Continuous54.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.6
52.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.7
53.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.7
Sex: Female, Male
Female
67 Participants70 Participants137 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
— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
66 / 6966 / 66
serious
Total, serious adverse events
14 / 6917 / 66

Outcome results

Primary

Progression-free Survival (PFS) by the Investigator Using Modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST)

PFS was defined as the time from randomization (R) to first documented investigator-assessed radiographic or clinical disease progression (PD) or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first. For target lesions (TL), PD was defined as at least a 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter (SLD) of TLs, taking as reference the SLD recorded since treatment started or the appearance of 1 or more new lesions. For non-TLs, PD was defined as the appearance of 1 or more new lesions and/or unequivocal progression of existing non-TLs. Data for patients without PD or death were censored at the last date of tumor assessment prior to crossover (or, if no tumor assessment was performed after Baseline, at the R date +1 day). Data for patients who were lost to follow-up were censored at the last date of tumor assessment prior to crossover at which the patient was known to be progression free. Data for patients with no post-baseline tumor assessment were censored at the R date +1 day.

Time frame: Baseline through the data cut-off date of 15 Nov 2010 (up to 2 years, 2 months)

Population: Intent-to-treat population: All randomized patients.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Trastuzumab EmtansineProgression-free Survival (PFS) by the Investigator Using Modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST)14.2 Months
Trastuzumab + DocetaxelProgression-free Survival (PFS) by the Investigator Using Modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST)9.2 Months
Secondary

Clinical Benefit (CB) Assessed by the Investigator Using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)

CB was defined as an objective response (complete response \[CR\], partial response \[PR\]) or stable disease (SD) for 6 months after randomization. For target lesions (TL), CR=the disappearance of all TL; PR=at least a 30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameter (LD) of TL, taking as reference the baseline sum LD; SD=neither sufficient shrinkage to qualify for PR nor sufficient increase to qualify for progressive disease (PD), taking as reference the smallest sum LD since the treatment started; PD=at least a 20% increase in the sum of the LD of TL, taking as reference the smallest sum of the LD recorded since the treatment started or the appearance of 1 or more new lesions. For non-TL, CR=the disappearance of all non-TL; PR=the persistence of 1 or more non-TL; SD=the persistence of 1 or more non-target lesion(s) and/or the maintenance of tumor marker level above the normal limits; PD=the appearance of 1 or more new lesions and/or unequivocal progression of existing non-TL.

Time frame: Baseline through the data cut-off date of 15 Nov 2010 (up to 2 years, 2 months)

Population: All randomized patients with measurable disease at Baseline.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Trastuzumab EmtansineClinical Benefit (CB) Assessed by the Investigator Using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)74.6 Percentage of patients
Trastuzumab + DocetaxelClinical Benefit (CB) Assessed by the Investigator Using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)81.2 Percentage of patients
Secondary

Duration of Objective Response Assessed by the Investigator Using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)

Duration of objective response was defined as the time from initial response to investigator-assessed radiographic or clinical disease progression or death on study from any cause. For target lesions, disease progression was defined as at least a 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum of the longest diameter recorded since treatment started or the appearance of 1 or more new lesions. For non-target lesions, disease progression was defined as the appearance of 1 or more new lesions and/or unequivocal progression of existing non-target lesions. Target lesions should be selected on the basis of their size (those with the longest diameter) and their suitability for accurate repeated measurements by imaging techniques or clinically. All measurable lesions up to a maximum of 5 lesions per organ and 10 lesions in total, representative of all involved organs, should be identified as target lesions.

Time frame: Baseline through the data cut-off date of 15 Nov 2010 (up to 2 years, 2 months)

Population: All randomized patients with measureable disease at Baseline. Only patients with an objective response were included in the analysis.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Trastuzumab EmtansineDuration of Objective Response Assessed by the Investigator Using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)NA Months
Trastuzumab + DocetaxelDuration of Objective Response Assessed by the Investigator Using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)9.5 Months
Secondary

Objective Response Assessed by the Investigator Using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)

A patient had an objective response if they had a complete response or a partial response on 2 consecutive occasions ≥ 4 weeks apart. For target lesions, a complete response was defined as the disappearance of all target lesions; a partial response was defined as at least a 30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum longest diameter. For non-target lesions, a complete response was defined as the disappearance of all non-target lesions; a partial response was defined as the persistence of 1 or more non-target lesions.

Time frame: Baseline through the data cut-off date of 15 Nov 2010 (up to 2 years, 2 months)

Population: All randomized patients with measureable disease at Baseline.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Trastuzumab EmtansineObjective Response Assessed by the Investigator Using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)64.2 Percentage of patients
Trastuzumab + DocetaxelObjective Response Assessed by the Investigator Using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)58.0 Percentage of patients
Secondary

Overall Survival

Overall survival was defined as the time from randomization to the date of death from any cause. Patients who were alive at the time of analysis were censored at the date on which they were last known to be alive. Patients with no post-baseline were censored at the date of randomization plus 1 day.

Time frame: Baseline through the data cut-off date of 31 Aug 2011 (up to 2 years, 11 months)

Population: Intent-to-treat population: All randomized patients.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Trastuzumab EmtansineOverall SurvivalNA Months
Trastuzumab + DocetaxelOverall SurvivalNA Months
Secondary

Plasma Concentration of Free Emtansine

Plasma samples were collected from all 67 patients in the trastuzumab emtansine group 30 minutes post-infusion of trastuzumab emtansine at Cycles 1 and 5. The plasma samples were assayed for free emtansine in a mass-spectrometric assay.

Time frame: Baseline through Cycle 5 (up to 4 months)

Population: Pharmacokinetic evaluable population: Patients who had adequate concentration-time data to estimate at least 1 pharmacokinetic parameter.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Trastuzumab EmtansinePlasma Concentration of Free EmtansineCycle 1 (n=62)5.11 ng/mLStandard Deviation 2.34
Trastuzumab EmtansinePlasma Concentration of Free EmtansineCycle 5 (n=39)4.71 ng/mLStandard Deviation 2.25
Secondary

Serum Concentrations (Area Under the Concentration-time Curve [AUC]) of Trastuzumab Emtansine and Total Trastuzumab

Serum samples were collected from all 67 patients enrolled in the trastuzumab emtansine arm using sparse pharmacokinetic sampling. Blood samples were collected prior to dosing and 30 minutes post-infusion of trastuzumab emtansine at Cycles 1 and 5. Serum samples were assayed for trastuzumab emtansine and total trastuzumab (sum of unconjugated trastuzumab and emtansine conjugated to trastuzumab) in indirect sandwich ELISAs. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) was estimated based on non-compartmental analysis using WinNonlin (Version 5.2.1) software.

Time frame: Baseline through Cycle 5 (up to 4 months)

Population: Pharmacokinetic evaluable population: Patients who had adequate concentration-time data to estimate at least 1 pharmacokinetic parameter.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Trastuzumab EmtansineSerum Concentrations (Area Under the Concentration-time Curve [AUC]) of Trastuzumab Emtansine and Total TrastuzumabTrastuzumab emtansine Cycle 1 (n=62)495 day•μg/mLStandard Deviation 158
Trastuzumab EmtansineSerum Concentrations (Area Under the Concentration-time Curve [AUC]) of Trastuzumab Emtansine and Total TrastuzumabTrastuzumab emtansine Cycle 5 (n=39)473 day•μg/mLStandard Deviation 141
Trastuzumab EmtansineSerum Concentrations (Area Under the Concentration-time Curve [AUC]) of Trastuzumab Emtansine and Total TrastuzumabTotal trastuzumab Cycle 1 (n=60)700 day•μg/mLStandard Deviation 260
Trastuzumab EmtansineSerum Concentrations (Area Under the Concentration-time Curve [AUC]) of Trastuzumab Emtansine and Total TrastuzumabTotal trastuzumab Cycle 5 (n=38)788 day•μg/mLStandard Deviation 323
Secondary

Time to Symptom Progression

Time to symptom progression was defined as the time from randomization to the first documentation of a ≥ 5-point decrease from baseline in the Trial Outcome Index-Physical/Functional/Breast (TOI-PFB) subscale score of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) questionnaire. The FACT-B questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure of symptoms associated with breast cancer. The TOI-PFB is a 24-item subscale generated using 3 subsections (Physical Well-Being \[7 items\], Functional Well-Being \[7 items\], and Additional Concerns \[10 items\]) from the FACT-B questionnaire. Patients responded to each item on a scale of 0-4 (Not at all-Very much). The total score ranged from 0 to 96. A higher score indicates fewer symptoms. A positive change score indicates improvement.

Time frame: Baseline through the data cut-off date of 15 Nov 2010 (up to 2 years, 2 months)

Population: All randomized patients with a Baseline and at least 1 post-Baseline valid score.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Trastuzumab EmtansineTime to Symptom Progression7.5 Months
Trastuzumab + DocetaxelTime to Symptom Progression3.5 Months

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 20, 2026