A Randomized Phase 2 Study of Neratinib With or Without Fulvestrant for Patients With HER2-Positive, Estrogen...

Most HER2-positive breast cancers co-express estrogen receptor (ER). Given crosstalk between HER2 and ER signaling pathways, dual blockade may be beneficial.

In this randomized, open-label, phase 2 clinical trial, patients with ER-positive (ER ≥ 10%), HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer were randomized (1:1) to neratinib (240 mg daily) or the same dose of neratinib with fulvestrant. Any number of prior therapies was allowed; prior trastuzumab, pertuzumab and trastuzumab emtansine were required. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), overall response rate, and duration of response. Exploratory objectives included the identification of predictive biomarkers via circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).

Of 21 patients enrolled, 18 were evaluable for outcomes and safety (neratinib-fulvestrant arm, n = 8; neratinib-only arm, n = 10). The study was closed before completing enrollment due to slow accrual. Median PFS did not differ between treatment arms (2.79 months with neratinib-fulvestrant versus 5.55 months with neratinib only [HR 0.94; 95% CI, 0.24-3.64; P = .98]). Grade 3 adverse events occurred in 1 (12.5%) patient in the neratinib-fulvestrant arm and 6 (60%) patients in the neratinib-only arm, with diarrhea being the most frequent. Median OS did not differ between the 2 arms (P = .91). Clearance of ctDNA was associated with PFS and OS.

The combination of neratinib and fulvestrant is safe and tolerable. Due to early study closure, this study was underpowered to detect the benefit of adding fulvestrant to neratinib. Chemotherapy-free regimens targeting ER and HER2 warrant further investigation, along with prospective studies investigating ctDNA dynamics may guide treatment switch.