In a groundbreaking announcement at last week’s San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, researchers revealed life-changing results from the PATINA clinical trial – a study poised to redefine the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. For women diagnosed with hormone receptor (HR) positive, HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer, the addition of the drug Palbociclib to standard treatments has proven to significantly extend progression-free survival by an impressive 15.2 months.
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The PATINA trial, initiated in 2017, set out to determine whether Palbociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor, could enhance the efficacy of existing therapies. This innovative drug halts cancer cell growth by targeting enzymes critical to cell division. Combined with anti-HER2 therapy (trastuzumab and pertuzumab) and endocrine therapy, the trial has demonstrated not only improved outcomes but also manageable side effects for patients.
“These are exciting results for patients, which could pave the way for more treatment options for metastatic breast cancer,” said Professor Elgene Lim, Australian Study Chair of PATINA. He extended heartfelt gratitude to the 496 patients worldwide, including 49 from Australia and New Zealand, who participated in the trial through Breast Cancer Trials.
Conducted by Breast Cancer Trials in collaboration with Alliance Foundation Trials and Pfizer, PATINA reflects the power of international collaboration in advancing cancer research. Breast Cancer Trials, a leading research group established in 1978, is dedicated to preventing, treating, and ultimately curing breast cancer through clinical trials across Australia and New Zealand.
Palbociclib, first introduced in 2015, represents a new class of drugs that have already transformed outcomes in early-stage breast cancer. With the PATINA findings, its potential in metastatic cases is now clear, offering patients and their families renewed hope and a longer, better quality of life.
The results mark a pivotal step forward in the fight against metastatic breast cancer, a disease that impacts nearly 30% of women who experience relapse following early-stage treatment. For those affected, the promise of more time and effective treatment is life-changing.
For more information about the PATINA trial and the ongoing work of Breast Cancer Trials, visit www.breastcancertrials.org.au.