Combination epigenetic therapy in advanced breast cancer with 5-azacitidine and entinostat: A phase II national cancer institute/stand up to cancer study

Roisin M. Connolly, Huili Li, Rachel C. Jankowitz, Zhe Zhang, Michelle A. Rudek, Stacie C. Jeter, Shannon A. Slater, Penny Powers, Antonio C. Wolff, John H. Fetting, Adam Brufsky, Richard Piekarz, Nita Ahuja, Peter W. Laird, Hui Shen, Daniel J. Weisenberger, Leslie Cope, James G. Herman, George Somlo, Agustin A. GarciaPeter A. Jones, Stephen B. Baylin, Nancy E. Davidson, Cynthia A. Zahnow, Vered Stearns

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

56 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: In breast cancer models, combination epigenetic therapy with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor and a histone deacetylase inhibitor led to reexpression of genes encoding important therapeutic targets, including the estrogen receptor (ER). We conducted a multicenter phase II study of 5-azacitidine and entinostat in women with advanced hormone-resistant or triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Experimental Design: Patients received 5-azacitidine 40 mg/m2 (days 1-5, 8-10) and entinostat 7 mg (days 3, 10) on a 28-day cycle. Continuation of epigenetic therapy was offered with the addition of endocrine therapy at the time of progression [optional continuation (OC) phase]. Primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) in each cohort. We hypothesized that ORR would be >20% against null of 5% using Simon twostage design. At least one response was required in 1 of 13 patients per cohort to continue accrual to 27 per cohort (type I error, 4%; power, 90%). Results: There was one partial response among 27 women with hormone-resistant disease (ORR = 4%; 95% CI, 0-19), and none in 13 women with TNBC. One additional partial response was observed in the OC phase in the hormone-resistant cohort (n = 12). Mandatory tumor samples were obtained pre- and posttreatment (58% paired) with either up- or downregulation of ER observed in approximately 50% of posttreatment biopsies in the hormone-resistant, but not TNBC cohort. Conclusions: Combination epigenetic therapy was well tolerated, but our primary endpoint was not met. OC phase results suggest that some women benefit from epigenetic therapy and/or reintroduction of endocrine therapy beyond progression, but further study is needed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2691-2701
Number of pages11
JournalClinical Cancer Research
Volume23
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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