Results of the global SERENA-6 Phase III trial have revealed that AstraZeneca's Camizestrant can be used to treat emerging tumours months before they have a chance to grow in patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+), HER2-, ESR1-mutated breast cancer.
This effect was seen in combination with a CDK4/6 inhibitor, cutting an individual's chance of disease progression by 56%.
These findings suggest that administering Camizestrant plus CDK inhibitors can improve patient quality of life, while allowing them to stay on first-line therapy for longer.
The SERENA-6 trial also found that using circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) blood tests to guide treatment can have a significant clinical benefit, allowing doctors to prescribe treatment before clinical signs of progression appear.
By combining Camizestrant and CDK inhibitors, patients can avoid chemotherapy for longer periods of time, noted Co-principal investigator Professor Nick Turner, Professor of Molecular Oncology at The Institute of Cancer Research, London:
“This proactive approach not only extends the benefit of first line therapy but also redefines how we think about drug resistance in this type of breast cancer."
"This treatment strategy could help treat developing resistance before it causes disease progression," he added.
Camizestrant is a type of drug described as a ‘next-generation’ oral selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD).
It works by blocking and breaking down oestrogen receptors in breast cancer cells, and was designed to target the ESR1 mutations tested for in ctDNA blood tests.
Professor Kristian Helin, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: “The results of the SERENA-6 trial represent more than a clinical milestone – they represent a transformational shift in how we approach precision medicine."
“Using early detection and relapse preduction technology has now been shown to delay disease progression in patients, extending the benefits of first-line treatments," she added.
“These breakthroughs are helping shape personalised breast cancer treatment, allowing doctors to adjust therapies earlier and improve patient outcomes,” she concluded.
