A Phase III Trial Comparing Two Dose-dense, Dose-intensified Approaches (ETC and PM(Cb)) for Neoadjuvant Treatment of Patients With High-risk Early Breast Cancer (GeparOcto)

A Randomized Phase III Trial Comparing Two Dose-dense, Dose-intensified Approaches (ETC and PM(Cb)) for Neoadjuvant Treatment of Patients With High-risk Early Breast Cancer (GeparOcto)

Two regimen are currently considered to have highest efficacy for patients with high-risk early stage breast cancer: sequential treatment of high dose epirubicin, taxane, and cyclophosphamide concomitantly with a dual HER2-blockade, and weekly treatment with paclitaxel/non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin with dual HER2-blockade or carboplatin. The aim of the GeparOcto study is to compare those two regimen/strategies.

Both regimens are myelosuppressive with a significant incidence of chemotherapy induced anaemia.

The second aim of the GeparOcto study is therefore to compare the use of parental ferric carboxymaltose versus physician's choice for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with iron deficiency.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Inflammatory Breast Cancer; HER2 Positive Breast Cancer; Tubular Breast Cancer Stage II; Mucinous Breast Cancer Stage II; Breast Cancer Female NOS; Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer; Tubular Breast Cancer Stage III
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin; Drug: Carboplatin; Drug: Paclitaxel; Drug: Pertuzumab; Drug: Trastuzumab; Drug: Ferric carboxymaltose; Drug: Epirubicin; Drug: Cyclophosphamide

Detailed Description

Several recent strategies have improved efficacy of systemic treatment for patients with high-risk early stage breast cancer: the addition of a dual HER2-blockade for HER2-positive; the implementation of carboplatin for TNBC and the use of dose-dense or dose-dense, dose escalated chemotherapy in all high-risk subtypes of breast cancer. Two regimen are currently considered to have highest efficacy: sequential treatment of high dose epirubicin, taxane, and cyclophosphamide (ETC) concomitantly with a dual HER2-blockade mainly based on the AGO ETC adjuvant study, and weekly treatment with paclitaxel/non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin with dual HER2-blockade or carboplatin (PM(Cb)) based on the GeparSixto study. The aim of the GeparOcto study is to compare those two regimen/strategies.

Both regimens are myelosuppressive with a significant incidence of chemotherapy induced anaemia. Anemia is often associated with impaired physical and cognitive function and consequently the patients suffer from a reduced quality of life. Surgical complications are higher in anemic patients. The second aim of the GeparOcto study is therefore to compare the use of parental ferric carboxymaltose versus physician's choice for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with iron deficiency.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 961
• Phase: Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Germany
  • Baden-Württemberg
    • Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, 69120
      • NTC

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients will be eligible for study participation only if they comply with the following criteria:

• Written informed consent according to local regulatory requirements prior to beginning specific protocol procedures.
• Complete baseline documentation must be submitted via MedCODES to GBG Forschungs GmbH.
• Unilateral or bilateral primary carcinoma of the breast, confirmed histologically by core biopsy. Fine-needle aspiration from the breast lesion alone is not sufficient. Incisional biopsy or axillary clearance is not allowed.

In case of bilateral cancer, the investigator has to decide prospectively which side will be evaluated for the primary endpoint.

• Tumor lesion in the breast with a palpable size of 2 cm or a sonographical size of 1 cm in maximum diameter. The lesion has to be measurable in two dimensions, preferably by sonography. In case of inflammatory disease, the extent of inflammation can be used as measurable lesion.
• Patients must have stage cT1c - cT4a-d disease. Patients with HER2- positive or TNBC are eligible irrespective of nodal status (cN0-cN3). Patients with luminal B-like tumors (defined here as ER and/or PgR >1% stained cells, HER2 negative, Ki-67 >20%) only with histologically (sentinel-node biopsy, core- or fine-needle biopsy) involved lymph nodes (pN1-3).
• In patients with multifocal or multicentric breast cancer, the largest lesion should be measured.
• Centrally confirmed ER, PR and HER2 status. Central pathology includes also assessment of Ki-67 and LPBC status on core biopsy. ER/PR negative is defined as <=1% stained cells and HER2-positive is defined as IHC 3+ or in-situ hybridization (ISH) and according to ASCO-CAP guidelines as of 2013). Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) breast tissue from core biopsy has therefore to be sent to the GBG central pathology laboratory prior to randomization.
• Age >=18 years.
• Karnofsky Performance status index 90%.
• Confirmed normal cardiac function by ECG and cardiac ultrasound (LVEF or shortening fraction) within 4 weeks prior to randomization. LVEF must be above 55%.
• Negative pregnancy test (urine or serum) within 14 days prior to randomization for all women of childbearing potential.
• Complete staging work-up within 3 months prior to randomization. All patients must have bilateral mammography, breast ultrasound (21 days), breast MRI (optional). Chest X-ray (PA and lateral), abdominal ultrasound or CT scan or MRI, and bone scan in case of high risk for primary metastasis. In case of a positive bone scan, bone X-ray or CT scan is mandatory. Other tests may be performed as clinically indicated.
• Patients must agree with central pathology testing of core biopsy specimen and final pathology specimen and be available and compliant for treatment and follow-up.
• In addition for patients to be randomized to the two supportive anemia treatment arms:
• Hemoglobin level <10g/dl.
• Body weight ≥ 40 kg.
• No need for immediate red blood cell transfusion.
• Transferrin saturation (TSAT) ≤20% and serum ferritin <300ng/ml.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with ER- and/or PR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer and Ki- 67 <= 20% (any luminal A-like subtype) or luminal B-like (Ki67>20%) subtype without nodal involvement.
• Patients with stages cT1a, cT1b, or any M1.
• Patients with pure lobular invasive breast cancer.
• Prior chemotherapy for any malignancy.
• Prior radiation therapy for breast cancer.
• Pregnant or lactating patients. Patients of childbearing potential must implement adequate non-hormonal contraceptive measures (barrier methods, intrauterine contraceptive devices, sterilization) during study treatment.
• Inadequate general condition (not fit for dose-dense, dose-intensified anthracycline-taxane-targeted agents-based chemotherapy).
• Previous malignant disease being disease-free for less than 5 years (except CIS of the cervix and non-melanomatous skin cancer).
• Known or suspected congestive heart failure (>NYHA I) and / or coronary heart disease, angina pectoris requiring antianginal medication, previous history of myocardial infarction, evidence of transmural infarction on ECG, uncontrolled or poorly controlled arterial hypertension (i.e. BP >140/90 mm Hg under treatment with two antihypertensive drugs), rhythm abnormalities requiring permanent treatment, clinically significant valvular heart disease.
• History of significant neurological or psychiatric disorders including psychotic disorders, dementia or seizures that would prohibit the understanding and giving of informed consent.
• Pre-existing motor or sensory neuropathy of a severity grade 2 by NCI-CTC criteria v 4.0.
• Currently active infection.
• Incomplete wound healing.
• Definite contraindications for the use of corticosteroids.
• Known hypersensitivity reaction to one of the compounds or incorporated substances used in this protocol.
• Concurrent treatment with:
• chronic corticosteroids unless initiated > 6 months prior to study entry and at low dose (10 mg or less methylprednisolone or equivalent).
• sex hormones. Prior treatment must be stopped before study entry.
• other experimental drugs or any other anti-cancer therapy.
• Participation in another clinical trial with any investigational, not marketed drug within 30 days prior to study entry.
• Male patients.

In addition for patients to be randomized to the two supportive anemia treatment arms:

• Iron substitution (oral or IV) or blood transfusions or treatment with r-HuEPO with the last 4 weeks prior to study start.
• Known hypersensibility or contraindication against ferric carboxymaltose.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: PM(Cb); PM(Cb): paclitaxel 80mg/m² 18 times weekly simultaneously with NPLD (Myocet®)20mg/m² 18 times weekly simultaneously with carboplatin AUC 1.5 18 times weekly (only in patients with TNBC) Patients with HER2-positive disease will receive trastuzumab 6 (8) mg/kg every 3 weeks and pertuzumab 420 (840) mg every 3 weeks simultaneously to all cycles.	Drug: non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin; 20 mg/m2, i.V. 18 times weekly; Other Names: Myocet; Drug: Carboplatin; Carboplatin AUC 1.5 18 times weekly (only in patients with triple-negative breast cancer).; Other Names: Carbomedac; Drug: Paclitaxel; paclitaxel 80mg/m² 18 times weekly; Other Names: var.; Drug: Pertuzumab; 420 (840) mg every 3 weeks simultaneously to all T and C cycles in the ETC arm and to all cycles in the PM(Cb) arm.; Other Names: Perjeta; Drug: Trastuzumab; Trastuzumab 6 (8) mg/kg every 3 weeks simultaneously to all T and C cycles in the ETC arm and to all cycles in the PM(Cb) arm.; Other Names: Herceptin; Drug: Ferric carboxymaltose; after first anemia grade ≥2 and in case of randomisation: Ferric carboxymaltose i.V. 1000 mg followed 1 week later by an injection of ferric carboxymaltose i.V. 500 mg (if body weight is <70 kg) or 1000 mg (if body weight is ≥70 kg). In case body weight is <50 kg, both dosages will be reduced to 500 mg each.; Other Names: Ferinject
Active Comparator: ETC; ETC: epirubicin 150mg/m² every 2 weeks for 3 cycles followed by paclitaxel 225 mg/m² every 2 weeks for 3 cycles followed cyclophosphamide 2000 mg/m² every 2 weeks for 3 cycles. Patients with HER2-positive disease will receive trastuzumab 6 (8) mg/kg every 3 weeks and pertuzumab 420 (840) mg every 3 weeks simultaneously to all T and C cycles.	Drug: Paclitaxel; paclitaxel 80mg/m² 18 times weekly; Other Names: var.; Drug: Pertuzumab; 420 (840) mg every 3 weeks simultaneously to all T and C cycles in the ETC arm and to all cycles in the PM(Cb) arm.; Other Names: Perjeta; Drug: Trastuzumab; Trastuzumab 6 (8) mg/kg every 3 weeks simultaneously to all T and C cycles in the ETC arm and to all cycles in the PM(Cb) arm.; Other Names: Herceptin; Drug: Ferric carboxymaltose; after first anemia grade ≥2 and in case of randomisation: Ferric carboxymaltose i.V. 1000 mg followed 1 week later by an injection of ferric carboxymaltose i.V. 500 mg (if body weight is <70 kg) or 1000 mg (if body weight is ≥70 kg). In case body weight is <50 kg, both dosages will be reduced to 500 mg each.; Other Names: Ferinject; Drug: Epirubicin; 150mg/m² every 2 weeks for 3 cycles.; Other Names: Farmorubicin; Drug: Cyclophosphamide; 2000 mg/m² every 2 weeks for 3 cycles.; Other Names: Endoxan

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
pathological complete response (pCR= ypT0/is ypN0)	To compare the pathological complete response (pCR= ypT0/is ypN0) rates of neoadjuvant treatment with sequential, dose-dense, dose-intensified ETC(+HP) vs. weekly PM(Cb)(+HP) in patients with high-risk operable or locally advanced breast cancer. Masked role for assessor.	18 weeks (time window + 3 weeks)
Only for those patients randomized for the supportive anemia treatment: frequency of patients reaching hemoglobin (Hb) levels ≥ 11g/dl 6 weeks after treatment start of a first episode of anemia grade ≥2	Only for those patients randomized for the supportive anemia treatment: To compare the frequency of patients reaching hemoglobin (Hb) levels ≥ 11g/dl 6 weeks after treatment start of a first episode of anemia grade ≥2 (Hb < 10g/dl) between patients receiving supportive treatment for iron deficiency with parental ferric carboxymaltose versus physician's choice (no supportive treatment, oral iron substitution, erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA), or both).	18 weeks (time window + 3 weeks)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
pcR rates per arm	To assess the pCR rates per arm separately for the stratified subpopulations.	18 weeks (time frame + 3 weeks)
Clinical and imaging response	To determine the response rates of the breast tumor and axillary nodes based on physical examination and imaging tests (sonography, mammography, or MRI) after treatment in both arms.	18 weeks (time window + 3 weeks)
Rates of ypT0 ypN0; ypT0 ypN0/+; ypT0/is ypN0/+; ypT(any) ypN0; and the residual cancer burden (RCB) score.	Response (by physical examination, imaging response, breast conservation) will also be summarized as rates in each treatment group).	18 weeks (time frame + 3 weeks)
Toxicity and Compliance including incidence of febrile neutropenia	Descriptive statistics for the 5 treatments (ETC +/- anti-HER2-treatment, PM +/- anti-HER2-treatment, PMCb) will be given on the number of patients whose treatment had to be reduced, delayed or permanently stopped.	18 weeks (time frame + 3 weeks)
Breast conservation rate	To determine the breast conservation rate after each treatment.	18 weeks (time frame: + 3 weeks)
loco-regional invasive recurrence free survival (LRRFS) in both arms and according to stratified subpopulations	LRRFS is defined as the time period between registration and first event and will be analyzed after the end of the study by referring to data from GBG patient's registry.	5 years
distant-disease-free survival (DDFS) in both arms and according to stratified subpopulations.	DDFS is defined as the time period between registration and first event and will be analyzed after the end of the study by referring to data from GBG patient's registry.	5 years
invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) in both arms and according to stratified subpopulations.	IDFS is defined as the time period between registration and first event and will be analyzed after the end of the study by referring to data from GBG patient's registry.	5 years
overall survival (OS) in both arms and according to stratified subpopulations.	OS is defined as the time period between registration and first event and will be analyzed after the end of the study by referring to data from GBG patient's registry.	5 years
regional recurrence free survival (RRFS) in patients with initial node-positive axilla	To assess regional recurrence free survival (RRFS) in patients with initial node-positive axilla converted to negative (ypN0) at surgery and treated with sentinel node biopsy alone.	until event occurs - no event for cured patients
pCR rate and local recurrence free survival (LRFS) in patients with a clinical complete response (cCR) and a negative core biopsy	To determine the pCR rate and local recurrence free survival (LRFS) in patients with a clinical complete response (cCR) and a negative core biopsy before surgery.	5 years
Correlation of response	To correlate response (complete vs. partial vs. no change) measured by best appropriate imaging method after 6 weeks of treatment with pCR.	18 weeks (time frame + 3 weeks)
Examination and comparison of molecular markers	To examine and compare pre-specified molecular and histological markers such as Ki67, stromal TILs, immunologically relevant genes (e.g. CXCL9, CCL5, CD8A, CD80, CXCL13, IGKC, CD21, IDO1, PD-1, PDL1, CTLA4, FOXP3, and combinations of these genes) as well as e.g. CD138, CD47, MET and other markers on core biopsies before and eventually also on surgical tissue after end of chemotherapy. The aim is to identify potential predictive short and long term parameters.	Baseline and 18 weeks (time frame + 3 weeks)
Examination of PIK3CA mutation	To examine PIK3CA mutation in patients with HER2-positive tumor on core biopsies.	Baseline and 18 weeks (time frame + 3 weeks)
Only for those patients randomized for the supportive anemia treatment: Quality of life	To compare quality of life using the FACT-An anemia and fatigue questionnaire between the supportive treatment arms.	up to 18 weeks
Only for those patients randomized for the supportive anemia treatment: median time to achieve a hemoglobin level ≥11g/dl	To compare the median time to achieve a hemoglobin level ≥11g/dl between the supportive treatment arms.	up to 18 weeks
Only for those patients randomized for the supportive anemia treatment: frequency of patients with a hemoglobin level ≥11g/dl	To compare the frequency of patients with hemoglobin level ≥11g/dl in the week after the end of the last chemotherapy cycle between the supportive treatment arms.	up to 18 weeks
Pharmacogenetic substudy	To correlate Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes with the associated toxicity and histologically assessed treatment effect.	18 weeks (time frame + 3 weeks)
GeparPET substudy	To demonstrate that PET-CT before surgery in addition to conventional presurgical staging methods can decrease the mastectomy rate in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.	18 weeks (time frame + 3 weeks)
Ovarian function	To assess ovarian function measured by amenorrhea rate in correlation with changes in E2, FSH, LH , Anti-Müller Hormone, ultrasound-follicle count in patients aged <45 years.	Baseline until 2 years after EOS

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: German Breast Group
• Collaborators: Roche Pharma AG; Amgen; Teva Pharmaceuticals USA; Vifor Pharma
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Andreas Schneeweiss, MD, Prof., NTC Heidelberg

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Denkert C, Seither F, Schneeweiss A, Link T, Blohmer JU, Just M, Wimberger P, Forberger A, Tesch H, Jackisch C, Schmatloch S, Reinisch M, Solomayer EF, Schmitt WD, Hanusch C, Fasching PA, Lubbe K, Solbach C, Huober J, Rhiem K, Marme F, Reimer T, Schmidt M, Sinn BV, Janni W, Stickeler E, Michel L, Stotzer O, Hahnen E, Furlanetto J, Seiler S, Nekljudova V, Untch M, Loibl S. Clinical and molecular characteristics of HER2-low-positive breast cancer: pooled analysis of individual patient data from four prospective, neoadjuvant clinical trials. Lancet Oncol. 2021 Aug;22(8):1151-1161. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(21)00301-6. Epub 2021 Jul 9.
• Schneeweiss A, Michel LL, Mobus V, Tesch H, Klare P, Hahnen E, Denkert C, Kast K, Pohl-Rescigno E, Hanusch C, Link T, Untch M, Jackisch C, Blohmer JU, Fasching PA, Solbach C, Schmutzler RK, Huober J, Rhiem K, Nekljudova V, Lubbe K, Loibl S; GBG and AGO-B. Survival analysis of the randomised phase III GeparOcto trial comparing neoadjuvant chemotherapy of intense dose-dense epirubicin, paclitaxel, cyclophosphamide versus weekly paclitaxel, liposomal doxorubicin (plus carboplatin in triple-negative breast cancer) for patients with high-risk early breast cancer. Eur J Cancer. 2022 Jan;160:100-111. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.10.011. Epub 2021 Nov 17.
• Ruger AM, Schneeweiss A, Seiler S, Tesch H, van Mackelenbergh M, Marme F, Lubbe K, Sinn B, Karn T, Stickeler E, Muller V, Schem C, Denkert C, Fasching PA, Nekljudova V, Garfias-Macedo T, Hasenfuss G, Haverkamp W, Loibl S, von Haehling S. Cardiotoxicity and Cardiovascular Biomarkers in Patients With Breast Cancer: Data From the GeparOcto-GBG 84 Trial. J Am Heart Assoc. 2020 Dec;9(23):e018143. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.120.018143. Epub 2020 Nov 16.
• Pohl-Rescigno E, Hauke J, Loibl S, Mobus V, Denkert C, Fasching PA, Kayali M, Ernst C, Weber-Lassalle N, Hanusch C, Tesch H, Muller V, Altmuller J, Thiele H, Untch M, Lubbe K, Nurnberg P, Rhiem K, Furlanetto J, Lederer B, Jackisch C, Nekljudova V, Schmutzler RK, Schneeweiss A, Hahnen E. Association of Germline Variant Status With Therapy Response in High-risk Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Secondary Analysis of the GeparOcto Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol. 2020 May 1;6(5):744-748. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.0007.
• Schneeweiss A, Mobus V, Tesch H, Hanusch C, Denkert C, Lubbe K, Huober J, Klare P, Kummel S, Untch M, Kast K, Jackisch C, Thomalla J, Ingold-Heppner B, Blohmer JU, Rezai M, Frank M, Engels K, Rhiem K, Fasching PA, Nekljudova V, von Minckwitz G, Loibl S. Intense dose-dense epirubicin, paclitaxel, cyclophosphamide versus weekly paclitaxel, liposomal doxorubicin (plus carboplatin in triple-negative breast cancer) for neoadjuvant treatment of high-risk early breast cancer (GeparOcto-GBG 84): A randomised phase III trial. Eur J Cancer. 2019 Jan;106:181-192. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2018.10.015. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 1, 2014
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 1, 2016
• Study Completion (Actual): January 30, 2017

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 22, 2014
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 25, 2014
• First Posted (Estimate): April 29, 2014

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 13, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 10, 2017
• Last Verified: July 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Skin Diseases; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Adenocarcinoma; Carcinoma; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial; Breast Diseases; Neoplasms, Ductal, Lobular, and Medullary; Carcinoma, Ductal; Breast Neoplasms; Inflammatory Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Enzyme Inhibitors; Antirheumatic Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Immunosuppressive Agents; Immunologic Factors; Tubulin Modulators; Antimitotic Agents; Mitosis Modulators; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; Alkylating Agents; Myeloablative Agonists; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Topoisomerase II Inhibitors; Topoisomerase Inhibitors; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Cyclophosphamide; Carboplatin; Paclitaxel; Trastuzumab; Epirubicin; Doxorubicin; Liposomal doxorubicin; Pertuzumab
• Other Study ID Numbers: GBG 84