Neoadjuvant therapy for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer

A Phase II Study of Neoadjuvant Sacituzumab Govitecan and Pembrolizumab Therapy for Immunochemotherapy-resistant Early-stage Triple-negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)

This study is testing a new combination of treatments for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer that hasn't responded to previous therapies to see if it helps patients achieve better results.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 25 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: pembrolizumab, Sacituzumab, immunotherapy
• Locations: 1 site (Houston, Texas)
• Trial ID: NCT05675579 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of combining sacituzumab govitecan and pembrolizumab as a neoadjuvant treatment for patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) that has shown resistance to previous immunochemotherapy. The primary goal is to assess the pathological complete response and residual cancer burden after treatment. Secondary objectives include evaluating safety, overall response rate, and survival rates. Additionally, the study aims to explore biomarkers in tumor tissues and blood to understand treatment responses better.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults with early-stage TNBC who have not responded to prior immunochemotherapy and meet specific eligibility criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with hormone receptor-positive or HER2-positive breast cancer may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new effective option for patients with resistant early-stage triple-negative breast cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise with similar immunotherapy approaches, but this specific combination is being evaluated for the first time in this context.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Female or male patients 18 years of age or older.
2. Histologically or cytologically confirmed breast cancer
3. T1c N1-2 or T2-4 N0-2 early-stage disease
4. ER/PR negative (ER/PR \<1%) or ER/PR low positive (1%≤ER/PR≤10%), and HER2 negative as per institutional and ASCO-CAP guidelines)
5. Initiated the NAC with the first regimen of KN-522 regimen (i.e., pembrolizumab 200 mg Q3W, given with 4 cycles of paclitaxel + carboplatin).
6. ECOG performance score of 0 or 1.
7. The volumetric change of primary tumor = 0% or increase in volumetric size by US or MRI after completing the first part of the KN-522 regimen.
8. Negative serum pregnancy test within 72 hours of receiving the first dose of the study medication for women of childbearing potential as per institutional guidelines. Postmenopausal women (defined as no menses for at least 1 year) and surgically sterilized women are not required to undergo pregnancy tests.
9. Agreed with undergoing the image-guided core needle biopsy after completing the first part of neoadjuvant treatment regimen.
10. Subjects of childbearing potential should be willing to use effective birth control methods or be surgically sterile or abstain from heterosexual activity for the course of the study through at least 4 months after the last dose of the study drug. Subjects of childbearing potential are those who have not been surgically sterilized or have not been free from menses for \> 1 year. Effective methods of birth control include:

    * Use hormonal birth control methods: pills, shots/injections, implants (placed under the skin by a health care provider), or patches (placed on the skin).
    * Intrauterine devices (IUDs).
    * Using 2 barrier methods (each partner must use 1 barrier method) with a spermicide. Males must use the male condom (latex or other synthetic material) with spermicide. Females must choose either a Diaphragm with spermicide, cervical cap with spermicide, or a sponge.
11. The patient must have adequate organ function as determined by the following laboratory values:

    * Absolute neutrophil count\* ≥ 1,500 /μL
    * Platelets\* ≥ 100,000 /μL
    * Hemoglobin\* ≥ 9 g/dL
    * Creatinine clearance \> 50 ml/min
    * Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 X ULN
    * Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase \< 2.5 X ULN \*Hematologic counts above should be without transfusion or growth factor support within 2 weeks of study drug initiation.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Stage IV disease
2. Any other previous antitumor therapies for the current cancer event.
3. Pregnant or planning to become pregnant during therapy.
4. Gastrointestinal tract disease or defect or previous history of colitis.
5. Has an active autoimmune disease that requires systemic therapy within two years of treatment or a medical condition that requires immunosuppression.
6. Myocardial infarction within 6 months before starting therapy, symptomatic congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association \> class II), unstable angina, or unstable cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication.
7. Has known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or active hepatitis B or C infection (screen test is not required). Subjects positive for hepatitis C (HCV) antibody are eligible only if the polymerase chain reaction is negative for HCV RNA.
8. Has a cognitive impairment.
9. Any other major comorbidities that can impact receiving immunotherapy or Sacituzumab govitecan.
10. Have live vaccinations within 30 days prior to registration and receive study treatment.

Where this trial is running

Houston, Texas

• M D Anderson Cancer Center — Houston, Texas, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Clinton Yam, MD — M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
• Study coordinator: Clinton Yam, MD

Conditions Breast Cancer