Safety and efficacy of everolimus (EVE) plus exemestane (EXE) in postmenopausal women with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer: final results from EVEREXES

Background This study was conducted to collect clinical safety, tolerability, and efficacy data with the use of everolimus (EVE) combined with exemestane (EXE) in patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC). Methods The EVEREXES trial initiated in 2012, provided early access to the first dual blockade treatment with EVE + EXE in patients with HR+, HER2 - ABC in Asia and other emerging growth countries. Postmenopausal women with HR+, HER2 - ABC who had documented recurrence or progression, following a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor therapy, were treated with EVE (10 mg/day) + EXE (25 mg/day) orally. Results A total of 235 patients received >= 1 dose of study medication. At the end of the study, all patients ceased the treatment. Disease progression (66.0%) was the primary reason of discontinuation. The most common AEs (>= 20%) were stomatitis, decreased appetite, hyperglycemia, rash, aspartate aminotransferase increased, anemia, alanine aminotransferase increased, cough, and fatigue. No new safety concerns were identified in the current study. Median progression-free survival (PFS) in the Asian subset was similar to that of the overall population (9.3 months in both groups). Confirmed overall response rate (ORR) was achieved for 19.6% of the patients. Efficacy of EVE + EXE across subgroups (prior CT, line of treatment, and presence of visceral metastases) was maintained. Conclusion The safety and efficacy results from EVEREXES trial are consistent to data previously reported in BOLERO-2. These results support that EVE + EXE could be a viable treatment option for the postmenopausal women with HR+, HER2 - ABC in Asian region.
Novartis Pharma AG, Base, Switzerland; NovartisNovartis
The EVEREXES trial was funded by Novartis Pharma AG, Base, Switzerland. Funding for medical editorial support was also provided by Novartis.