Skip to content

Avoiding Growth Factor During Paclitaxel Treatment in Breast Cancer

Feasibility and Safety of Avoiding Granulocyte Colony-stimulating Factor Prophylaxis During the Paclitaxel Portion of Dose Dense Doxorubicin-Cyclophosphamide and Paclitaxel Regimen

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02698891
Enrollment
127
Registered
2016-03-04
Start date
2016-04-07
Completion date
2021-11-30
Last updated
2022-05-06

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

Conditions

Early Stage Breast Cancer

Keywords

Early Stage Breast Cancer

Brief summary

This research study is testing the safety and feasibility of delivering the 4 cycles of 'dose-dense' paclitaxel without the use of Neulasta (Pegfilgrastim) as a Granulocyte Colony-stimulating Factor (G-CSF) support. The research study is for participants who have early stage breast cancer and have been recommended to receive a standard chemotherapy regimen, doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (AC) plus Paclitaxel (T), in what is called a dose-dense fashion to prevent recurrences.

Detailed description

Low white cell blood counts increase the risk of infections; thus, in order to give each cycle of chemotherapy, white blood cell count must have recovered adequately in between cycles. Traditionally, this regimen has been given with the use of a medicine called Neulasta (Pegfilgrastim) to speed the recovery of the white blood cell count in order to maximize the chances that the next cycle of chemotherapy can be given on time. The names of the study interventions involved in this study are: \-- Neulasta (Pegfilgrastim)

Interventions

DRUGPaclitaxel

Sponsors

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients must have histologically or cytologically confirmed Stage I-III breast cancer (as defined by the revised, American Joint Committee on Cancer 7th edition criteria) and be at sufficient risk for tumor recurrence. Staging studies to exclude metastatic disease are not required in asymptomatic patients. However, patients with findings considered suspicious for metastatic disease on any staging studies that are obtained need to be evaluated to exclude stage IV breast cancer. * Patients must be deemed by their treating oncologist as candidates for (neo) adjuvant chemotherapy with dose dense AC and T. * Age ≥ 18 years and \< 65 at the time of informed consent. * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) ≤ 1. * Any grade 3 or clinically significant grade 2 treatment-related non-hematological toxicity must be resolved to grade 1 before retreatment with chemotherapy (with exception of alopecia) * Laboratory Evaluations: * Adequate blood marrow function defined as: * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1500 µL * Hemoglobin ≥9.0 g/dl * Platelets ≥100,000/mm3 * Adequate hepatic function defined as: * Total bilirubin ≤ 1.2 institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase ≤ 1.5 X upper limit normal (ULN) * Adequate renal function defined as: \--- Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 X ULN * Premenopausal women (including women who have had a tubal ligation and for women less than 12 months after the onset of menopause) must have a negative serum pregnancy test. * Patients with risk factors for Hepatitis B or C should be tested (anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody, hepatitis B surface antigen \[HBsAg\] or Hepatitis B core antibody). Risk factors include: history of unprotected sexual intercourse, intravenous drug use, or originally from endemic regions. If infection is suspected, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and HCV RNA should be requested as appropriate. * Note: Patients with positive Hepatitis B or C serologies without known active disease must meet the eligibility requirements for ALT, AST, total bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase and must have a normal international normalized ratio (INR) on at least two consecutive occasions, separated by at least 1 week, within the 30 day screening period. * Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document

Exclusion criteria

* Patients who have received previous cytotoxic chemotherapy including an AC-T regimen or previous therapeutic radiation therapy for any reason in the last 5 years. Because of possible limitations in bone marrow reserve, patients with such prior treatments are not appropriate candidates for this trial. Patients who have had prior hormonal therapy (for instance, tamoxifen for prevention of breast cancer) are eligible. Patients who have participated in a window study (treatment with an investigational agent prior to surgery for ≤2 weeks) are eligible but must have discontinued the investigational agent at least 14 days before enrollment. * Participants who are receiving any other investigational agents * Have had at least one prior episode of fever and neutropenia (ANC\< 500/mm3 or expected to fall below \< 500/mm3) during AC. * Patients taking lithium. * Patients receiving chronic treatment with oral steroids or another immunosuppressive agent (excluding steroids as part of the chemotherapy pre-medication or emetic medication). * Known HIV-positive individuals or with any immunodeficiency status. * Patients with history of hematologic disease, including myelodysplasia or bone marrow malignancies. * History of allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to Paclitaxel, which cannot be managed by premedication. * Currently pregnant or breast-feeding. * Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, not limited to ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements or other significant diseases or disorders that, in the investigator's opinion, would exclude the subject from participating in the study.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Rate of Paclitaxel Treatment Completion Within 7 Weeks7 WeeksRate of participants who completed Paclitaxel treatment in 7 weeks while omitting Neulasta™ (Pegfilgrastim). Neulasta is administered based on the following pre-specified safety criteria. * The patient experiences a prior episode of fever and neutropenia. * If the patient has an active infection this decision will be at provider discretion.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Rate of Grade 3-4 Toxicities, Excluding NeutropeniaWhile on study, up to 6.2 monthsPercentage of participants experiencing a grade 3 or 4 toxicity excluding grade 3 or 4 neutropenia or febrile neutropenia per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0.
Rate of Chemotherapy Dose ReductionsWhile on treatment, up to 2.3 monthsPercentage of participants experiencing dose reductions due to adverse events.
Percentage of Participants Who Received All Planned Chemotherapy CyclesWhile on treatment, up to 2.3 monthsPercentage of Participants who received all planned chemotherapy cycles.
Rate of Grade 3-5 NeutropeniaWhile on study, up to 6.2 monthsPercentage of participants experiencing grade 3-5 neutropenia per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0. while on treatment.
Number of Participants With Dose Delays by Reason for DelayWhile on treatment, up to 2.3 monthsNumber of participants with dose delays due to various different adverse events. Adverse events classified using CTCAEv 4.0.
Median of Savings When Omitting Pegfilgrastim From Treatment.While on treatment, up to 2.3 monthsAn algorithm was used to estimated median and range of potential savings per 100 patients if the use of pegfilgrastim was omitted from treatment. The algorithm is designed assuming an average wholesale price in the United States ranging from $1,361 to $4,655 for myeloid growth factors such as filgrastim (8 days of growth factor support/cycle) and peg-filgrastim ($5,443 to $18,622 for 4 cycles on the basis of April 2019 Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price), and applying a 95.7% reduction in the use of pegfilgrastim during paclitaxel.
Rate of Hypersensitivity Reactions on Cycles 3-4 of Paclitaxel, When Steroid is AvoidedWhile on treatment, up to 2.3 monthsThe percentage of participants who experienced a hypersensitivity reaction on cycles 3 and 4 without use of dexamethasone (a steroid)..

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Enrollment Period: May 2016 and November 2018

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Paclitaxel
After the screening procedures confirm participation in the research study: 175 mg/m\^2 Paclitaxel via IV, once every 2 weeks x 4 cycles. (1 cycle = 2 weeks) \-- Neulasta™ (Pegfilgrastim) 6 mg SQ x1 is administered on day 2 of each treatment cycle, approximately 24 hours after the chemotherapy treatment, if: * The patient experiences a prior episode of fever and neutropenia. * If the patient has an active infection this decision will be at provider discretion. * If Neulasta™(Pegfilgrastim) is administered in any Paclitaxel cycle for a given patient, it will be then administered for all future cycles. Paclitaxel Neulasta
125
Total125

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000
Overall StudyAdverse Event9
Overall Studydeemed ineligible1
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject2

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicPaclitaxel
Age, Continuous46 years
Body Surface Area1.81 m^2
Chemotherapy Setting
Adjuvant
68 Participants
Chemotherapy Setting
Neoadjuvant
57 Participants
ECOG Performance Status
0 - Fully Active
119 Participants
ECOG Performance Status
1 - Restricted
6 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
7 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
113 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
5 Participants
Histology
Ductal Carcinoma
94 Participants
Histology
Lobular Carcinoma
16 Participants
Histology
Mixed Lobular and Ductal Carcinoma
13 Participants
Histology
Other
2 Participants
Hormone Receptor Status
Estrogen and Progesterone Receptor Negative
44 Participants
Hormone Receptor Status
Estrogen and Progesterone Receptor Positive
80 Participants
Hormone Receptor Status
Unknown
1 Participants
Menopausal Status
Postmenopausal
41 Participants
Menopausal Status
Premenopausal
84 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
9 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
10 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
101 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
125 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants
Stage at Initial Diagnosis
Stage I
16 Participants
Stage at Initial Diagnosis
Stage II
81 Participants
Stage at Initial Diagnosis
Stage III
27 Participants
Stage at Initial Diagnosis
Unknown
1 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 127
other
Total, other adverse events
63 / 127
serious
Total, serious adverse events
4 / 127

Outcome results

Primary

Rate of Paclitaxel Treatment Completion Within 7 Weeks

Rate of participants who completed Paclitaxel treatment in 7 weeks while omitting Neulasta™ (Pegfilgrastim). Neulasta is administered based on the following pre-specified safety criteria. * The patient experiences a prior episode of fever and neutropenia. * If the patient has an active infection this decision will be at provider discretion.

Time frame: 7 Weeks

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
PaclitaxelRate of Paclitaxel Treatment Completion Within 7 Weeks90 percentage of participants
Secondary

Median of Savings When Omitting Pegfilgrastim From Treatment.

An algorithm was used to estimated median and range of potential savings per 100 patients if the use of pegfilgrastim was omitted from treatment. The algorithm is designed assuming an average wholesale price in the United States ranging from $1,361 to $4,655 for myeloid growth factors such as filgrastim (8 days of growth factor support/cycle) and peg-filgrastim ($5,443 to $18,622 for 4 cycles on the basis of April 2019 Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price), and applying a 95.7% reduction in the use of pegfilgrastim during paclitaxel.

Time frame: While on treatment, up to 2.3 months

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
PaclitaxelMedian of Savings When Omitting Pegfilgrastim From Treatment.1.1 millions of dollars per 100 patients
Secondary

Number of Participants With Dose Delays by Reason for Delay

Number of participants with dose delays due to various different adverse events. Adverse events classified using CTCAEv 4.0.

Time frame: While on treatment, up to 2.3 months

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
PaclitaxelNumber of Participants With Dose Delays by Reason for DelayCardiotoxicity1 Participants
PaclitaxelNumber of Participants With Dose Delays by Reason for DelayFebrile Neutropenia1 Participants
PaclitaxelNumber of Participants With Dose Delays by Reason for DelayNeutropenia without Fever12 Participants
PaclitaxelNumber of Participants With Dose Delays by Reason for DelayNonhematologic Toxicity3 Participants
PaclitaxelNumber of Participants With Dose Delays by Reason for DelayInfection1 Participants
PaclitaxelNumber of Participants With Dose Delays by Reason for DelayNeurotoxicity3 Participants
PaclitaxelNumber of Participants With Dose Delays by Reason for DelayOther3 Participants
Secondary

Percentage of Participants Who Received All Planned Chemotherapy Cycles

Percentage of Participants who received all planned chemotherapy cycles.

Time frame: While on treatment, up to 2.3 months

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
PaclitaxelPercentage of Participants Who Received All Planned Chemotherapy Cycles92 percentage of participants
Secondary

Rate of Chemotherapy Dose Reductions

Percentage of participants experiencing dose reductions due to adverse events.

Time frame: While on treatment, up to 2.3 months

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
PaclitaxelRate of Chemotherapy Dose Reductions13.6 percentage of participants
Secondary

Rate of Grade 3-4 Toxicities, Excluding Neutropenia

Percentage of participants experiencing a grade 3 or 4 toxicity excluding grade 3 or 4 neutropenia or febrile neutropenia per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0.

Time frame: While on study, up to 6.2 months

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
PaclitaxelRate of Grade 3-4 Toxicities, Excluding Neutropenia12 percentage of participants
Secondary

Rate of Grade 3-5 Neutropenia

Percentage of participants experiencing grade 3-5 neutropenia per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0. while on treatment.

Time frame: While on study, up to 6.2 months

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
PaclitaxelRate of Grade 3-5 Neutropenia8.8 percentage of participants
Secondary

Rate of Hypersensitivity Reactions on Cycles 3-4 of Paclitaxel, When Steroid is Avoided

The percentage of participants who experienced a hypersensitivity reaction on cycles 3 and 4 without use of dexamethasone (a steroid)..

Time frame: While on treatment, up to 2.3 months

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
PaclitaxelRate of Hypersensitivity Reactions on Cycles 3-4 of Paclitaxel, When Steroid is Avoided2.4 percentage of participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 27, 2026