Anastrozole and everolimus in advanced gynecologic and breast malignancies: activity and molecular alterations in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment
Published on: June 9, 2023
Jennifer J Wheler1, Stacy L Moulder2, Aung Naing
1Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
Background:
Since PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activation diminishes the effects of hormone therapy, combining aromatase inhibitors (anatrozole) with mTOR inhibitors (everolimus) was investigated.
Patients And Methods:
We evaluated anastrozole and everolimus in 55 patients with metastatic estrogen (ER) and/or progesterone receptor (PR)-positive breast and gynecologic tumors. Endpoints were safety, antitumor activity and molecular correlates.
Results:
Full doses of anastrozole (1 mg PO daily) and everolimus (10 mg PO daily) were well tolerated. Twelve of 50 evaluable patients (24%) (median = 3 prior therapies) achieved stable disease (SD) ≥ 6 months/partial response (PR)/complete response (CR) (n = 5 (10%) with PR/CR): 9 of 32 (28%) with breast cancer (n=5 (16%) with PR/CR); 2 of 10 (20%), ovarian cancer; and 1 of 6 (17%), endometrial cancer. Six of 22 patients (27%) with molecular alterations in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway achieved SD ≥ 6 months/PR/CR. Six of 8 patients (75%) with SD ≥ 6 months/PR/CR with molecular testing demonstrated at least one alteration in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway: mutations in PIK3CA (n=3) and AKT1 (n=1) or PTEN loss (n=3). All three responders (CR (n = 1); PR (n=2)) who had next generation sequencing demonstrated additional alterations: amplifications in CCNE1, IRS2, MCL1, CCND1, FGFR1 and MYC and a rearrangement in PRKDC.
Conclusions:
Combination anastrozole and everolimus is well tolerated at full approved doses, and is active in heavily-pretreated patients with ER and/or PR-positive breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers. Responses were observed in patients with multiple molecular aberrations. CLINICAL TRAILS INCLUDED: NCT01197170.
Insights
Combining anastrozole with everolimus is safe and effective for heavily pretreated patients with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. This combination therapy showed antitumor activity, particularly in patients with PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway alterations.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activation can reduce hormone therapy effectiveness.
- Investigating combination therapy to overcome resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate safety and efficacy of anastrozole plus everolimus.
- Assess antitumor activity and molecular correlates in metastatic ER/PR-positive cancers.
Main Methods:
- Phase II trial of 55 patients with metastatic breast, ovarian, and endometrial tumors.
- Administered anastrozole (1 mg daily) and everolimus (10 mg daily).
- Monitored safety, antitumor response, and molecular alterations.
Main Results:
- Combination therapy was well tolerated at full doses.
- 24% of patients achieved stable disease (≥6 months), partial response, or complete response.
- Responses were observed in patients with PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway alterations and other molecular aberrations.
Conclusions:
- Anastrozole and everolimus combination is safe and active in heavily pretreated patients.
- Effective in ER/PR-positive breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers.
- Responses seen in patients with diverse molecular alterations.
More Related Videos
08:48An In Vitro Dormancy Model of Estrogen-sensitive Breast Cancer in the Bone Marrow: A Tool for Molecular Mechanism Studies and Hypothesis Generation
Published on: June 30, 2015
10:27Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts
Published on: July 25, 2020
Related Concept Videos
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
Inhibition of Cdk Activity
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules