Neo ALTTO (Neoadjuvant Lapatinib and/or Trastuzumab Treatment Optimisation) Study

This was a parallel group, three-arm, randomized, multicenter, open-label phase III study. The study compared the efficacy and tolerability of neoadjuvant lapatinib and paclitaxel, versus trastuzumab and paclitaxel, versus the combination of lapatinib with trastuzumab and paclitaxel given as neoadjuvant treatment in HER2/ErbB2 over-expressing and/or amplified primary breast cancer. Subjects were randomized to receive lapatinib, trastuzumab or lapatinib plus trastuzumab for a total of 6 weeks. After this biological window, subjects continued on the same targeted therapy plus weekly paclitaxel for a further 12 weeks, until definitive surgery (total neoadjuvant therapy duration of 18 weeks). Paclitaxel could be initiated at Week 4 if there is evidence of progressive disease (PD) at that time. Within 6 weeks after surgery, subjects received 3 cycles of adjuvant 5-flourouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (FEC) followed by the same targeted therapy as in the biological window of the neoadjuvant phase for a further 34 weeks (to complete 52 weeks of anti-HER2 therapy).

After completing 52 weeks of (neo-)/adjuvant anti-HER2 therapy, subjects were scheduled to attend post-treatment follow-up every 3 months during the first year (months 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24), every 6months in Years 3 to 5 inclusive, and annually thereafter up to Year 10. Each subject was to be followed for 10 Years. All subjects were to be followed for EFS and OS up to 10 years from last subject randomized.

Inclusion criteria

• Female gender;
• Age ≥18 years;
• Performance Status- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0-1
• Histologically confirmed invasive breast cancer:
• Primary tumour greater than 2 cm diameter, measured by clinical examination and mammography or echography,
• Any N,
• No evidence of metastasis (M0) (isolated supraclavicular node involvement allowed);
• Over expression and/or amplification of HER2 in the invasive component of the primary tumour [Wolff et al 2006] and confirmed by a certified laboratory prior to randomisation
• Known hormone receptor status.
• Haematopoietic status:
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,5 x 10^9/L,
• Platelet count ≥ 100 x 10^9/L,
• Hemoglobin at least 9 g/dl,
• Hepatic status:
• Serum total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN). In the case of known Gilbert's syndrome, a higher serum total bilirubin (< 2 x ULN) is allowed,
• Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 2.5 times ULN,
• Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN,
• Renal status:
• Creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL,
• Cardiovascular:
• Baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ³ 50% measured by echocardiography (ECHO) or Multiple Gate Acquisition (MUGA) scan,
• Negative serum pregnancy test, within 2-weeks (preferably 7 days) prior to randomization (For women of childbearing potential)
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception (barrier method - condoms, diaphragm - also in conjunction with spermicidal jelly, or total abstinence. Oral, injectable, or implant hormonal contraceptives are not allowed)
• Signed informed consent form (ICF)
• Patient accepts to make available tumour samples for submission to central laboratory to conduct translational studies as part of this protocol

Exclusion criteria

• Received any prior treatment for primary invasive breast cancer;
• Previous (less than 10 years) or current history of malignant neoplasms, except for curatively treated:
• Basal and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin;
• Carcinoma in situ of the cervix.
• Patients with a prior malignancy diagnosed more than 10 years prior to randomisation may enter the study. Patients must have been curatively treated with surgery alone. Radiation therapy or systemic therapy (chemotherapy or endocrine) are NOT permitted. Prior diagnoses of breast cancer or melanoma are excluded.
• Diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer;
• Bilateral cancer;
• This criterion has been deleted from the protocol Version 1. Patients with multi-focal cancer are no longer excluded.
• Known history of uncontrolled or symptomatic angina, clinically significant arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, transmural myocardial infarction, uncontrolled hypertension (≥180/110), unstable diabetes mellitus, dyspnoea at rest, or chronic therapy with oxygen;
• Concurrent disease or condition that would make the subject inappropriate for study participation or any serious medical disorder that would interfere with the subject's safety;
• Unresolved or unstable, serious adverse events from prior administration of another investigational drug;
• Active or uncontrolled infection;
• Dementia, altered mental status, or any psychiatric condition that would prevent the understanding or rendering of ICF;
• Malabsorption syndrome, disease significantly affecting gastrointestinal function, or resection of the stomach or small bowel. Subjects with ulcerative colitis are also excluded;
• Concurrent neoadjuvant cancer therapy (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, biologic therapy other than the trial therapies);
• Concurrent treatment with an investigational agent or participation in another therapeutic clinical trial;
• Known immediate or delayed hypersensitivity reaction or idiosyncrasy to drugs chemically related to trastuzumab or lapatinib or their excipients;
• Pregnant or lactating women;
• Concomitant use of CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers