A randomized phase 2 study exploring the role of bevacizumab and a chemotherapy-free approach in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: The HAT study (BOOG 2008-2003), a Dutch Breast Cancer Research Group trial

Jan C. Drooger*, Harm van Tinteren, Steffen M. de Groot, Albert J. ten Tije, Hiltje de Graaf, Johanneke E A Portielje, Agnes Jager, Aafke Honkoop, Sabine C. Linn, Judith R. Kroep, Frans L G Erdkamp, Paul Hamberg, Alex L T Imholz, Quirine C. van Rossum-Schornagel, Joan B. Heijns, A. Elise van Leeuwen-Stok, Stefan Sleijfer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To explore the role of bevacizumab and a chemotherapy-free approach, the authors evaluated the combination of bevacizumab, trastuzumab, and paclitaxel (HAT) and the regimen of trastuzumab and bevacizumab (HA) with the addition of paclitaxel after progression (HA-HAT) as first-line treatment for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: In a noncomparative phase 2 trial, patients were randomized between HAT and HA-HAT. The primary endpoint was the progression-free rate at 1 year (1-year PFR). In the HA-HAT group, progression-free survival (PFS) was separately established for HA (PFS1) and HAT (PFS2). RESULTS: Eighty-four patients received HAT (n = 39) or HA-HAT (n = 45). The 1-year PFR was 74.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 61.8%-89.4%) and 62.2% (95% CI, 49.6%-89.4%) in the HAT and HA-HAT arms, respectively. The median PFS was 19.8 months (95% CI, 14.9-25.6 months) in the HAT arm and 19.6 months (95% CI, 12.0-32.0 months) in the HA-HAT arm. In the HA-HAT arm, the median PFS1 was 10.4 months (95% CI, 6.2-15.0 months), and the median PFS2 was 8.2 months (95% CI, 7.0-12.6 months). The number and severity of adverse events were comparable between the arms. CONCLUSIONS: Both HAT and HA-HAT have promising activity in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. In particular, starting with only targeted agents and delaying chemotherapy is worth further exploration.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2961–2970
JournalCancer
Volume122
Issue number19
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bevacizumab
  • Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
  • Metastatic breast cancer
  • Paclitaxel
  • Trastuzumab

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