Comparing Oral Drug Dosing Strategies in Older Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer to Maximize Tolerance and Reduce Discontinuation: The CDK4/6 Inhibitor Dosing Knowledge (CDK) Study
The purpose of this study is to generate evidence on an alternative dosing strategy for CDK4/6 inhibitors to help more patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) (age ≥ 65 years) tolerate side effects and stay on treatment longer, to derive the most clinical benefit from these drugs. The primary objective of the CDK Study is to compare time to treatment discontinuation (TTD) on the approved dosing for palbociclib (125 mg orally daily on days 1-21 of 28-day cycle) or ribociclib (600 mg orally daily on days 1-21 of 28-day cycle) vs. TTD using titrated dosing approach with the same schedule but starting at a lower dose of palbociclib (100 mg or 75 mg) or ribociclib (400 mg or 200 mg) and escalating the dose if well-tolerated in combination with provider/patient choice endocrine therapy (aromatase inhibitor (AI) or fulvestrant) in patients age 65 or older with HR+/HER2- MBC. The secondary and exploratory objectives will generate evidence needed to personalize treatment decisions by comparing patient-centric secondary outcomes and evaluating baseline factors. Together with their treating physician, participants will choose the CDK4/6 inhibitor (palbociclib or ribociclib) and which endocrine therapy (aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant) of their choice but will be randomized to either Arm 1 (indicated dosing) or Arm 2 (titrated dosing). Note: Telehealth visits are allowed at any time per institutional guidelines. In addition, the study allows for remote consenting per institutional guidelines.
• Hormone receptor positive (HR+) HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer. Cut-off values for positive/negative staining should be as per standard practice in accordance with ASCO/CAP (American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists) guidelines. Verification of histology is preferred at the time of recurrence and where not possible or necessary in the judgment of the treating physician, the study will accept histology from the initial diagnosis.
• Candidate for planned endocrine therapy in combination with 1st use of palbociclib or ribociclib, in the metastatic setting. The planned endocrine partner can be an aromatase inhibitor (letrozole, anastrozole, exemestane) or fulvestrant, selected through patient/provider choice.
• Aged 65 years or older
• Adequate bone marrow and organ function. Laboratory values must be within normal institutional limits, or within ranges as indicated below, or demonstrate minor abnormalities that are deemed clinically non-significant by the investigator.
‣ Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,000/µL
⁃ Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) (participants with documented Gilbert's disease are allowed total bilirubin up to 5X ULN)
⁃ AST (SGOT)/ALT (SGPT) \<3 x institutional ULN, or ≤ 5 x ULN for subjects with documented metastatic disease to the liver.
• Baseline QTc ≤ 480 ms (only for ribociclib patients)
• Ability to understand and the willingness to provide informed consent. Note: Remote consent is allowed per institutional guidelines.