Efficacy

Efficacy of Ibrance (Palbociclib) in Breast Cancer

Ibrance (palbociclib) is a targeted therapy known as a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor, which is used in the treatment of certain types of breast cancer. Specifically, it is indicated for hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) advanced or metastatic breast cancer. The efficacy of palbociclib has been demonstrated in multiple clinical trials, where it has been shown to significantly improve progression-free survival (PFS) when used in combination with hormonal therapies such as letrozole or fulvestrant. Patients receiving palbociclib in combination with these hormonal therapies were found to have a delay in disease progression compared to those receiving hormonal therapy alone.

In the PALOMA-2 trial, for example, palbociclib in combination with letrozole was evaluated in postmenopausal women with ER+/HER2- advanced breast cancer as a first-line treatment. The results indicated a substantial improvement in median PFS. Similarly, the PALOMA-3 trial demonstrated that palbociclib, when used with fulvestrant, significantly improved PFS in women with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who had relapsed or progressed during prior endocrine therapy.

Efficacy of Nerlynx (Neratinib) in Breast Cancer

Nerlynx (neratinib) is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that specifically targets HER2-positive breast cancer. It is primarily used as an extended adjuvant treatment for early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer in patients who have previously completed adjuvant trastuzumab-based therapy. The efficacy of neratinib was established in the ExteNET trial, which included women with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer. The study showed that neratinib, taken for one year after completing trastuzumab therapy, significantly reduced the risk of breast cancer recurrence or death compared to placebo.

Furthermore, the use of neratinib has been associated with a reduction in the risk of invasive disease recurrence and has shown a sustained benefit over time. It is important to note that the treatment with neratinib is associated with a risk of severe diarrhea, and therefore, antidiarrheal prophylaxis during the first cycles of treatment is recommended to manage this side effect. The decision to use neratinib should be based on an individual assessment of the benefits and risks for each patient.