Efficacy

Efficacy of Afinitor (Everolimus) in Breast Cancer

Afinitor (everolimus) is an mTOR inhibitor approved by the FDA for the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer in combination with exemestane, after the failure of treatment with letrozole or anastrozole. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Afinitor, when used in this combination, can significantly extend progression-free survival compared to exemestane alone. The BOLERO-2 clinical trial, a pivotal study in this setting, showed that the addition of everolimus to exemestane therapy resulted in a median progression-free survival of 7.8 months compared to 3.2 months with exemestane alone, indicating a substantial increase in the time patients lived without their disease worsening.

However, it is important to note that while Afinitor has shown efficacy in slowing the progression of certain types of breast cancer, it is not a cure for the disease. The treatment may also come with significant side effects, and its use should be carefully considered by a healthcare professional in the context of the individual patient's overall health and treatment history.

Efficacy of Capivasertib (Truqap) in Breast Cancer

Capivasertib, also known by its development code AZD5363, is an investigational drug that is not yet approved by regulatory agencies for any indication as of the last knowledge update. However, it has shown promise in clinical trials for the treatment of breast cancer. Capivasertib is a potent inhibitor of AKT, a protein that plays a role in the growth and survival of cancer cells. In breast cancer, the AKT pathway is often activated, and inhibiting this pathway can potentially impede cancer cell proliferation and induce cell death.

Early clinical trials of capivasertib have included its evaluation in combination with other cancer therapies for the treatment of breast cancer. For instance, the FAKTION trial investigated capivasertib in combination with fulvestrant in patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer who had progressed on prior aromatase inhibitor therapy. The study reported an improvement in progression-free survival with the addition of capivasertib to fulvestrant compared to fulvestrant alone. These findings suggest that capivasertib may have efficacy in this patient population, but further research is needed to confirm these results and to determine the safety and efficacy profile of capivasertib for the treatment of breast cancer in larger, phase III clinical trials.