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Hydroxychloroquine, Palbociclib, and Letrozole Before Surgery in Treating Patients With Estrogen Receptor Positive, HER2 Negative Breast Cancer

Phase I/II Safety and Efficacy Study of Autophagy Inhibition With Hydroxychloroquine to Augment the Antiproliferative and Biological Effects of Pre-Operative Palbociclib Plus Letrozole for Estrogen Receptor-Positive and HER2-Negative Breast Cancer

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 1Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03774472
Enrollment
15
Registered
2018-12-13
Start date
2018-08-20
Completion date
2024-04-17
Last updated
2025-02-17

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

Conditions

Anatomic Stage IA Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Anatomic Stage IB Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Anatomic Stage I Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Anatomic Stage IIA Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Anatomic Stage IIB Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Anatomic Stage II Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Anatomic Stage IIIA Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Anatomic Stage IIIB Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Anatomic Stage III Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Anatomic Stage IIIC Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Anatomic Stage IV Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Prognostic Stage IA Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Prognostic Stage IB Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Prognostic Stage I Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Prognostic Stage IIA Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Prognostic Stage IIB Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Prognostic Stage IIIA Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Prognostic Stage IIIB Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Prognostic Stage III Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Prognostic Stage IIIC Breast Cancer AJCC v8, Prognostic Stage IV Breast Cancer AJCC v8

Brief summary

This phase I/II trial studies the side effects and best dose of hydroxychloroquine when given together with palbociclib and letrozole before surgery in treating patients with estrogen receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer. Hydroxychloroquine is a substance that decreases immune responses in the body. Palbociclib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Estrogen can cause the growth of breast cancer cells. Drugs, such as letrozole, may lessen the amount of estrogen made by the body. Giving hydroxychloroquine, palbociclib, and letrozole before surgery may work better than palbociclib and letrozole in treating patients with breast cancer.

Detailed description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To determine the safety of adding hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to continuous low dose palbociclib and letrozole and to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) for hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for the subsequent Phase II study. (Phase I) II. To determine the dose responsiveness of 2 dose levels (400 mg and recommended phase II dose \[RP2D\]) of hydroxychloroquine added to low dose palbociclib and letrozole on pre and post HCQ breast tumor proliferation index (Ki67), autophagy, senescence and cell cycle control. (Phase II, Part I) III. To determine whether hydroxychloroquine added to low dose palbociclib and letrozole can increase the proportion of patients whose tumors achieve complete cell cycle arrest (CCCA, defined as the Ki67 =\< 2.7%) comparing T2 to T1. (Phase II, Part II) SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To determine the response rate and clinical benefit rate at 8 weeks of the assigned dose of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) plus continuous low dose palbociclib and letrozole. (Phase I) II. Determine longer term clinical tumor responsiveness (tumor volume) and tumor biomarker indices (for patients who have extended pre-operative therapy, maximum 24 weeks). (Phase II, Part I) III. Perform exploratory studies on blood-based tumor protein, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) biomarkers with a focus on pathways of cell proliferation, autophagy, senescence and cell cycle control. (Phase II, Part I) IV. To determine the impact of adding hydroxychloroquine to low dose palbociclib and letrozole on breast tumor indices of proliferation, autophagy, senescence, cell cycle control and other intersecting pathways. (Phase II, Part II) V. Determine longer term clinical tumor responsiveness and tumor biomarkers indices (for patients who have extended pre-operative therapy, maximum 24 weeks). (Phase II, Part II) VI. To determine the dose responsiveness of HCQ (400 mg vs. RP2D) on the primary (proportion with CCCA) and secondary clinical/biological endpoints. (Phase II, Part II) VII. To perform exploratory studies on blood-based tumor protein, DNA and RNA biomarkers. (Phase II, Part II) VIII. Obtain additional safety information for the combination of low dose palbociclib, letrozole and hydroxychloroquine. (Phase II, Part II) OUTLINE: This is a phase I, dose-escalation study of hydroxychloroquine followed by a phase II study. PHASE I: Patients with advanced, metastatic (stage IV) breast cancer receive hydroxychloroquine orally (PO) once daily (QD), palbociclib PO QD, and letrozole PO QD on days 1-28. Cycles repeat every 28 days for up to 1 year in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. PHASE II: Patients with early stage (stage I-III) breast cancer receive hydroxychloroquine PO QD on days 15-28 of cycle 1 and on days 1-28 of subsequent cycles. Patients also receive palbociclib PO QD, and letrozole PO QD on days 1-28, followed by standard of care surgery at week 5. If there is a proliferative benefit with complete cell cycle arrest (CCCA) by biopsy at 4 weeks, cycles may repeat every 28 days for up to 20-24 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, followed by standard of care surgery during weeks 20-24. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up within 30 days or every 4 weeks.

Interventions

DRUGHydroxychloroquine

Given PO

DRUGLetrozole

Given PO

DRUGPalbociclib

Given PO

Sponsors

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* Signed written informed consent * Diagnosis of estrogen positive breast cancer, estrogen receptor-positive and HER2-negative by American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)/College of American Pathologists (CAP) criteria * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1 * Postmenopausal defined by: a. Age \>= 55 years and 1 year or more of amenorrhea b. Age \< 55 years and 1 year or more of amenorrhea with luteinizing hormone (LH) and/or follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in the postmenopausal range c. Age \< 55 with prior hysterectomy but intact ovaries with LH and/or FSH levels in the postmenopausal range d. Chemotherapy or medically induced ovarian suppression with 1 year or more of amenorrhea and with LH and/or FSH levels in the postmenopausal range e. Status after bilateral oophorectomy (\>= 28 days prior to first study treatment) * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>= 1500 cells/ul * Platelet count \>= 100,000/ul * Serum creatinine concentration \< 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) * Bilirubin level \< 1.5 x ULN * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \< 3 x ULN * Alkaline phosphatase =\< 2.5 ULN * Metastatic cohorts (Phase I): Diagnosis of stage IV estrogen positive breast cancer, estrogen receptor-positive and HER2-negative by ASCO/CAP criteria * Metastatic cohorts (Phase I): Must be a candidate for treatment with CDK4/6 inhibitor and hormonal therapy with an aromatase inhibitor as standard of care * Metastatic cohorts (Phase I): No prior exposure to CDK 4/6 inhibitors * Neoadjuvant cohorts (Phase II): Diagnosis of stage I-III estrogen positive breast cancer, estrogen receptor-positive and HER2-negative by ASCO/CAP criteria. If stage I, clinical tumor size must be \>= 1.5 cm * Neoadjuvant cohorts (Phase II): Baseline tumor Ki67 \> 5% * Neoadjuvant cohorts (Phase II): Surgical candidate and appropriate for pre-operative endocrine therapy

Exclusion criteria

* Prior exposure to CDK 4/6 inhibitor therapy * History of retinal disease or active visual disturbances (normal baseline study-specified retinal exam required) * Acute illness, including infections requiring medical therapy, known bleeding diathesis or need for anticoagulation * Treatment with any of the following medications within 4 weeks before the baseline diagnostic biopsy is taken: a. Oral estrogens, including hormone replacement therapy (but prior depot estrogen use not allowed). b. Investigational agents (or 5 half-lives, whichever is longer) * Required concomitant use of any drug that is a strong CYP3A inhibitor or inducer * Psychological, familial, sociological or geographical conditions that do not permit compliance with the study protocol * Life expectancy of less than 6 months * Pregnancy, lactation or planning to be pregnant. * Neo-adjuvant cohorts (Phase II): Prior therapy for breast cancer (medical, surgical or radiation therapy) * Neo-adjuvant cohorts (Phase II): Clinical T4 disease * Neo-adjuvant cohorts (Phase II): Inoperable or metastatic breast cancer based on standard evaluation

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Incidence of Adverse Events (Phase I)Up to 5 years and 4 monthsIncidence of adverse events (Phase I) \[Time Frame: Up to 30 days post-treatment\] Assessed continuously using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03, with physical examination and laboratory assessments.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Recommended Phase II Dose for HCQUp to 5 years and 4 monthsPhase I portion in the metastatic setting is to determine the safety of adding HCQ to continuous low dose palbociclib and letrozole and to determine the recommended phase II dose for HCQ for the subsequent Phase II study.
Clinical Benefit Rate at 8 WeeksUp to 5 years and 4 monthsThe secondary objective is to determine the response rate and clinical benefit rate at 8 weeks of the assigned HCQ dose plus continuous low dose palbociclib and letrozole.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
HCQ at 400 mg
PHASE I: Patients with advanced, metastatic (stage IV) breast cancer receive hydroxychloroquine PO QD, palbociclib PO QD, and letrozole PO QD on days 1-28. Cycles repeat every 28 days for up to 1 year in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
4
HCQ at 600 mg
PHASE I: Patients with advanced, metastatic (stage IV) breast cancer receive hydroxychloroquine PO QD, palbociclib PO QD, and letrozole PO QD on days 1-28. Cycles repeat every 28 days for up to 1 year in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
5
HCQ at 800 mg
PHASE I: Patients with advanced, metastatic (stage IV) breast cancer receive hydroxychloroquine PO QD, palbociclib PO QD, and letrozole PO QD on days 1-28. Cycles repeat every 28 days for up to 1 year in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
6
Total15

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001FG002
Overall StudyPhysician Decision100
Overall StudyProgression prior to 4 weeks010
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject010

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTotalHCQ at 400 mgHCQ at 600 mgHCQ at 800 mg
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
15 Participants4 Participants5 Participants6 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
15 Participants4 Participants5 Participants6 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
2 Participants2 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
12 Participants2 Participants4 Participants6 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
15 participants4 participants5 participants6 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
15 Participants4 Participants5 Participants6 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
2 / 40 / 42 / 6
other
Total, other adverse events
4 / 44 / 46 / 6
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 40 / 40 / 6

Outcome results

Primary

Incidence of Adverse Events (Phase I)

Incidence of adverse events (Phase I) \[Time Frame: Up to 30 days post-treatment\] Assessed continuously using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03, with physical examination and laboratory assessments.

Time frame: Up to 5 years and 4 months

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
HCQ at 400 mgIncidence of Adverse Events (Phase I)3 Participants
HCQ at 600 mgIncidence of Adverse Events (Phase I)3 Participants
HCQ at 800 mgIncidence of Adverse Events (Phase I)6 Participants
Secondary

Clinical Benefit Rate at 8 Weeks

The secondary objective is to determine the response rate and clinical benefit rate at 8 weeks of the assigned HCQ dose plus continuous low dose palbociclib and letrozole.

Time frame: Up to 5 years and 4 months

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
HCQ at 400 mgClinical Benefit Rate at 8 Weeks100 percentage of participants
HCQ at 600 mgClinical Benefit Rate at 8 Weeks66.6 percentage of participants
HCQ at 800 mgClinical Benefit Rate at 8 Weeks100 percentage of participants
Secondary

Recommended Phase II Dose for HCQ

Phase I portion in the metastatic setting is to determine the safety of adding HCQ to continuous low dose palbociclib and letrozole and to determine the recommended phase II dose for HCQ for the subsequent Phase II study.

Time frame: Up to 5 years and 4 months

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
HCQ at 400 mgRecommended Phase II Dose for HCQ800 mg/day

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 15, 2026