A Randomized, Open-Label, Phase III Trial Comparing Adjuvant Trastuzumab Plus Neratinib Versus Trastuzumab Plus Pertuzumab in Hormone Receptor-Positive/Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Breast Cancer With Residual Cancer Burden 0/I After Neoadjuvant Trastuzumab Plus Pertuzumab
Neratinib is an irreversible pan-HER tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). Currently, no studies have investigated the use of macromolecular anti-HER2 agents combined with TKIs for the treatment of non-pCR HER2-positive breast cancer following neoadjuvant therapy. Furthermore, there are no prospective randomized controlled trials comparing trastuzumab plus pertuzumab versus trastuzumab plus TKIs in HER2-positive breast cancer patients with residual cancer burden class (RCB) I or II after neoadjuvant trastuzumab and pertuzumab. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adjuvant trastuzumab plus neratinib in patients with hormone receptor-positive/HER2-positive breast cancer and RCB 0/I following neoadjuvant trastuzumab and pertuzumab therapy.
• Female patients aged 18-70 years;
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1;
• Clinical stage at initial diagnosis (per the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual): cT1-4/N1-3/M0 (cT1mi/N0 or cT1a-b/N0 are eligible), meeting the criteria for neoadjuvant therapy as per NCCN 2022 guidelines;
• Histologically confirmed hormone receptor-positive (estrogen receptor ≥1% and/or progesterone receptor ≥1%) and HER2-positive (immunohistochemistry 3+ or fluorescence in situ hybridization-positive) invasive breast cancer;
• Completion of ≥4 cycles of neoadjuvant therapy with trastuzumab and pertuzumab, without recurrence or metastatic disease prior to adjuvant treatment; residual cancer burden class 0 or I after neoadjuvant therapy; time from initial surgery to randomization ≤12 weeks;
• Adequate organ function within 2 weeks prior to screening (without transfusion or use of growth factors):
‣ Absolute neutrophil count ≥1.5 × 10⁹/L;
⁃ Platelet count ≥90 × 10⁹/L;
⁃ Hemoglobin ≥90 g/L;
⁃ Total bilirubin ≤1.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN);
⁃ Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase ≤1.5 × ULN;
• Post-neoadjuvant therapy echocardiography showing left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50% during screening, with an absolute decrease of ≤15% compared to pre-chemotherapy values; if no pre-chemotherapy LVEF assessment is available, LVEF must be ≥55% during screening;
• Life expectancy ≥6 months;
• For premenopausal or non-sterilized female patients: agreement to abstain from sexual activity or use effective non-hormonal contraception during study treatment and for 8 weeks after the last dose;
⁃ Willingness to participate voluntarily, provide signed informed consent, demonstrate good compliance, and cooperate with follow-up.