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FDA Approval Summary: Alpelisib Plus Fulvestrant for Patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative, PIK3CA-mutated,
Preeti Narayan1, Tatiana M Prowell2, Jennifer J Gao2,3
1Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland. preeti.narayan@fda.hhs.gov.
Abstract:
On May 24, 2019, the FDA granted regular approval to alpelisib in combination with fulvestrant for postmenopausal women, and men, with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA)-mutated, advanced or metastatic breast cancer as detected by an FDA-approved test following progression on or after an endocrine-based regimen. Approval was based on the SOLAR-1 study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of alpelisib plus fulvestrant versus placebo plus fulvestrant. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) per RECIST v1.1 in the cohort of trial participants whose tumors had a PIK3CA mutation. The estimated median PFS by investigator assessment in the alpelisib plus fulvestrant arm was 11 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 7.5-14.5] compared with 5.7 months (95% CI, 3.7-7.4) in the placebo plus fulvestrant arm (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.50-0.85; two-sided P = 0.001). The median overall survival was not yet reached for the alpelisib plus fulvestrant arm (95% CI, 28.1-NE) and was 26.9 months (95% CI, 21.9-NE) for the fulvestrant control arm. No PFS benefit was observed in trial participants whose tumors did not have a PIK3CA mutation (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.58-1.25). The most common adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, on the alpelisib plus fulvestrant arm were increased glucose, increased creatinine, diarrhea, rash, decreased lymphocyte count, increased gamma glutamyl transferase, nausea, increased alanine aminotransferase, fatigue, decreased hemoglobin, increased lipase, decreased appetite, stomatitis, vomiting, decreased weight, decreased calcium, decreased glucose, prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, and alopecia.
Insights
Alpelisib combined with fulvestrant significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with PIK3CA-mutated advanced breast cancer. This combination therapy offers a new treatment option for this specific patient population.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer is a common subtype.
- Activating mutations in the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) gene are prevalent in this subtype.
- Targeted therapies are needed for patients progressing on standard endocrine-based regimens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of alpelisib plus fulvestrant versus placebo plus fulvestrant in patients with PIK3CA-mutated advanced breast cancer.
- To determine the impact of PIK3CA mutation status on treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- The SOLAR-1 study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
- Participants received either alpelisib plus fulvestrant or placebo plus fulvestrant.
- Progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary endpoint, assessed by investigator assessment per RECIST v1.1.
Main Results:
- Median PFS was 11 months with alpelisib plus fulvestrant versus 5.7 months with placebo plus fulvestrant in PIK3CA-mutated tumors (HR, 0.65; P = 0.001).
- No PFS benefit was observed in patients without PIK3CA mutations (HR, 0.85).
- Common adverse reactions included hyperglycemia, increased creatinine, diarrhea, and rash.
Conclusions:
- Alpelisib in combination with fulvestrant provides a significant PFS benefit for patients with PIK3CA-mutated advanced or metastatic HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.
- This combination is an effective targeted therapy option following progression on endocrine-based therapy.
- The safety profile is manageable, with common side effects including metabolic and dermatologic toxicities.
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