Fulvestrant ('Faslodex')--a new treatment option for patients progressing on prior endocrine therapy.
TL;DR: Fulvestrant has recently gained US Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression following antiestrogen therapy and these new hormonal treatments expand the choice of endocrine therapy for women with advanced breast cancer.
Abstract: Since its introduction more than 30 years ago, tamoxifen has been the most widely used endocrine therapy for the treatment of women with advanced breast cancer. More recently, a number of alternative endocrine treatments have been developed, including several selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), aromatase inhibitors (AIs) and, most recently, fulvestrant ('Faslodex'). Fulvestrant is an estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist, which, unlike the SERMs, has no known agonist (estrogenic) effect and downregulates the ER protein. Tamoxifen is effective and well tolerated, although the non-steroidal AIs, anastrozole and letrozole, are more effective treatments for advanced disease than tamoxifen. Fulvestrant has recently gained US Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression following antiestrogen therapy. In two global phase III clinical trials fulvestrant was at least as effective and as equally well tolerated as anastrozole for the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced and metastatic breast cancer. In a retrospective analysis of the combined data from these trials, mean duration of response was significantly greater for fulvestrant compared with anastrozole. These new hormonal treatments expand the choice of endocrine therapy for women with advanced breast cancer and offer new options for sequencing and combining treatments.
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TL;DR: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib significantly delayed the emergence of resistance to both estrogen deprivation and fulvestrant, but reactivation of HER-2/neu and signaling through AKT leads to tumor regrowth.
Abstract: HER-2/neu in breast cancer is associated with tamoxifen resistance, but little data exist on its interaction with estrogen deprivation or fulvestrant. Here, we used an in vivo xenograft model of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer with HER-2/neu overexpression (MCF7/HER-2/neu-18) to investigate mechanisms of growth inhibition and treatment resistance. MCF7/HER-2/neu-18 tumors were growth inhibited by estrogen deprivation and with fulvestrant, but resistance developed in 2 to 3 months. Inhibited tumors had reductions in ER, insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR), phosphorylated HER-2/neu (p-HER-2/neu), and phosphorylated p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MAPK). p27 was increased especially in tumors sensitive to estrogen deprivation. Tumors with acquired resistance to these therapies had complete loss of ER, increased p-HER-2/neu, increased p-MAPK, and reduced p27. In contrast, IGF-IR and phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) levels were markedly reduced in these resistant tumors. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib, which can block EGFR/HER-2/neu signaling, significantly delayed the emergence of resistance to both estrogen deprivation and fulvestrant. Levels of p-MAPK and p-AKT decreased with gefitinib, whereas high ER levels were restored. Eventually, however, tumors progressed in mice treated with gefitinib combined with estrogen deprivation or fulvestrant accompanied again by loss of ER and IGF-IR, increased p-HER-2/neu, high p-MAPK, and now increased p-AKT. Thus, estrogen deprivation and fulvestrant can effectively inhibit HER-2/neu-overexpressing tumors but resistance develops quickly. EGFR/HER-2/neu inhibitors can delay resistance, but reactivation of HER-2/neu and signaling through AKT leads to tumor regrowth. Combining endocrine therapy with EGFR/HER-2/neu inhibitors should be tested in clinical breast cancer, but a more complete blockade of EGFR/HER-2/neu may be optimal.
158 citations
TL;DR: Compelling experimental and clinical evidence suggest that the epidermal growth factor/her2/neu receptor (EGFR/HER2) pathway might play a distinct role in endocrine resistance, and especially in resistance to selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as tamoxifen.
Abstract: Estrogen receptor (ER), mediating estrogen-signaling stimuli, is a dominant regulator and a key therapeutic target in breast cancer etiology and progression. Endocrine therapy, blocking the ER pathway, is one of the most important systemic therapies in breast cancer management, but de novo and acquired resistance is still a major clinical problem. New research highlights the role of both genomic and nongenomic ER activities and their intimate molecular crosstalk with growth factor receptor and other signaling kinase pathways in endocrine resistance. These signaling pathways, when overexpressed and/or hyperactivated, can modulate both activities of ER, resulting in endocrine resistance. Thus, these signal transduction receptors and signaling molecules may serve as both predictive markers and novel therapeutic targets to circumvent endocrine resistance. Compelling experimental and clinical evidence suggest that the epidermal growth factor/HER2/neu receptor (EGFR/HER2) pathway might play a distinct role in endocrine resistance, and especially in resistance to selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as tamoxifen. Results from preclinical studies of treatment combinations with various endocrine therapy drugs together with several potent anti-EGFR/HER2 inhibitors are very promising, and clinical trials to see whether this new strategy is effective in patients are now ongoing.
146 citations
Cites background from "Fulvestrant ('Faslodex')--a new tre..."
...estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as arzoxifene, with more favorable tissue-specific ER effects than tamoxifen [59], as well as selective ER downregulators (SERDs) such as the potent antiestrogen fulvestrant (Faslodex, ICI 182,780), which target and degrade the ER [60, 71], are already in clinical use or at the final stages of clinical development....
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TL;DR: The discovery of an orally bioavailable selective estrogen receptor downregulator (SERD) with equivalent potency and preclinical pharmacology to the intramuscular SERD fulvestrant is described.
Abstract: The discovery of an orally bioavailable selective estrogen receptor downregulator (SERD) with equivalent potency and preclinical pharmacology to the intramuscular SERD fulvestrant is described. A directed screen identified the 1-aryl-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole motif as a novel, druglike ER ligand. Aided by crystal structures of novel ligands bound to an ER construct, medicinal chemistry iterations led to (E)-3-(3,5-difluoro-4-((1R,3R)-2-(2-fluoro-2-methylpropyl)-3-methyl-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-yl)phenyl)acrylic acid (30b, AZD9496), a clinical candidate with high oral bioavailability across preclinical species that is currently being evaluated in phase I clinical trials for the treatment of advanced estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer.
143 citations
TL;DR: A crucial role for p72 is highlighted in ERα co-activation and oestrogen-dependent cell growth and evidence in support of distinct but important roles for both p68 and p72 in regulating ERα activity in breast cancer is provided.
Abstract: The DEAD-box RNA helicases p68 (DDX5) and p72 (DDX17) have been shown to act as transcriptional co-activators for a diverse range of transcription factors, including oestrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha). Here, we show that, although both proteins interact with and co-activate ERalpha in reporter gene assays, small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of p72, but not p68, results in a significant inhibition of oestrogen-dependent transcription of endogenous ERalpha-responsive genes and oestrogen-dependent growth of MCF-7 and ZR75-1 breast cancer cells. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining of ERalpha-positive primary breast cancers for p68 and p72 indicate that p72 expression is associated with an increased period of relapse-free and overall survival (P=0.006 and 0.016, respectively), as well as being inversely associated with Her2 expression (P=0.008). Conversely, p68 shows no association with relapse-free period, or overall survival, but it is associated with an increased expression of Her2 (P=0.001), AIB-1 (P<0.001) and higher tumour grade (P=0.044). Our data thus highlight a crucial role for p72 in ERalpha co-activation and oestrogen-dependent cell growth and provide evidence in support of distinct but important roles for both p68 and p72 in regulating ERalpha activity in breast cancer.
101 citations
Cites background from "Fulvestrant ('Faslodex')--a new tre..."
...These tumours often remain ERa positive and may respond to an alternative endocrine agent, showing ERa-dependence for the continued growth of these tumours (Buzdar and Howell, 2001; Morris and Wakeling, 2002), and indicating altered ERa function as a possible mechanism underlying treatment failure....
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...…tumours often remain ERα positive and may respond to an alternative endocrine agent, demonstrating ERα-dependence for the continued growth of these tumours (Buzdar and Howell, 2001; Morris and Wakeling, 2002), and indicating altered ERα function as a possible mechanism underlying treatment failure....
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TL;DR: The molecular mechanisms through which ER activates transcription of target genes and through which available anti-estrogens mediate their therapeutic effects are reviewed.
Abstract: Evidence for a role of ovarian factors in the growth of metastatic breast cancer was first recognized over 100 years ago. Today, anti-estrogens are central to the treatment of breast cancer of all stages. We now understand that the action of estrogen is mediated by the estrogen receptors (ER) which are members of the nuclear receptor family of ligand-regulated transcription factors. In this article we review the molecular mechanisms through which ER activates transcription of target genes and through which available anti-estrogens mediate their therapeutic effects. We discuss possible mechanisms of failure of treatment with current anti-estrogens and how newer anti-estrogens under development attempt to address these problems. In addition an expanded view of the molecular mechanisms of estrogen action is leading to the development of novel selective ER modulators or SERMs.
98 citations
References
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TL;DR: It is demonstrated that ICI 182,780 is a fully effective pure antioestrogen in a primate and caused involution of the uterus stimulated by prior treatment with oestradiol.
Abstract: ICI 182,780 is a potent specific pure antioestrogen which may offer advantages in breast cancer treatment compared with partial agonists like tamoxifen. To characterize further the potency and efficacy of ICI 182,780, its effects on the uterus of ovariectomized, oestrogen-treated monkeys (Macaca nemestrina) have been measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Quantitative MRI allows accurate non-invasive repetitive measurements of endometrial and myometrial volume following hormonal treatments, using each animal as its own control. Single i.m. injections of a long-acting oil-based formulation of ICI 182,780 sustained blockade of oestradiol action on the monkey uterus in a dose-dependent manner for 3-6 weeks. Repeated injections of 4 mg ICI 182,780/kg at 4-weekly intervals provided increasingly effective blockade of uterine proliferation. In a short-acting formulation, ICI 182,780 also completely blocked the trophic action of oestradiol, administered concurrently, in ovariectomized monkeys. Similarly, ICI 182,780 caused involution of the uterus stimulated by prior treatment with oestradiol. The rate and extent of uterine involution in monkeys treated with ICI 182,780 was similar to that seen following oestrogen withdrawal. These studies demonstrate that ICI 182,780 is a fully effective pure antioestrogen in a primate.
60 citations
"Fulvestrant ('Faslodex')--a new tre..." refers background in this paper
...Fulvestrant also produced involution of the uterus, similar to that seen following estrogen withdrawal (Dukes et al. 1992)....
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Journal Article•
TL;DR: Idoxifene has an antiproliferative effect in ER-positive but not ER-negative breast cancers, and no significant effect on apoptosis in the short-term, and was well tolerated in all patients.
Abstract: Idoxifene is a
novel selective estrogen receptor modulator. It has reduced
agonist activity on breast and uterine cells compared with tamoxifen
and antiproliferative effects in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer
cells. Previous studies have shown that a short course of treatment
with other antiestrogens prior to surgery caused a significant
reduction of the growth fraction when measured by immunohistological
staining using the mouse monoclonal antibody Ki67. In this study, we
assessed the effect of idoxifene on biological markers of cell
proliferation (Ki67) and apoptosis (TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end
labeling), and estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER/PR)
expression was also evaluated. Core-cut biopsies were obtained in 77
postmenopausal patients with primary breast cancer at diagnosis.
Patients were randomized to 40 mg/day idoxifene or placebo for 14–21
days prior to obtaining a second biopsy sample at surgical resection.
The percentage of Ki67-positive cells fell from a mean 19.7 ±
2.7% (SE) to 13.4 ± 3.4% in idoxifene-treated ER-positive
tumors ( n = 30; P = 0.0043),
but there was no significant effect in placebo-treated ER-positive
tumors ( n = 27). No effect was seen on ER-negative
tumors in either group. Idoxifene had no significant effect on
apoptotic index but produced a statistically significant fall in
idoxifene-treated ER immunohistochemical score and a small increase in
PR that did not reach statistical significance (0.05 <
P < 0.10). Idoxifene was well tolerated in all
patients. Idoxifene has an antiproliferative effect in ER-positive but
not ER-negative breast cancers, and no significant effect on apoptosis
in the short-term.
56 citations
"Fulvestrant ('Faslodex')--a new tre..." refers background in this paper
...Selective estrogen receptor modulators Toremifene (Hayes et al. 1995), raloxifene (Thiebaud & Secrest 2001), idoxifene (Dowsett et al. 2000), and droloxifene (Rauschning & Pritchard 1994) are all antiestrogens that, like tamoxifen, compete with estrogen for the ER and have been collectively termed…...
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...1995), raloxifene (Thiebaud & Secrest 2001), idoxifene (Dowsett et al. 2000), and droloxifene (Rauschning & Pritchard 1994) are all antiestrogens that, like tamoxifen, compete with estrogen for the ER and have been collectively termed SERMs....
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Journal Article•
TL;DR: The effectiveness of Idox as an antitumor agent in three models of Tam-stimulated breast cancer in athymic mice was determined and Tor was completely cross-resistant with Tam, which implied that neither Idox nor Tor would be effective as a second-line endocrine therapy after Tam failure and may offer no therapeutic advantages over Tam as adjuvant therapies.
Abstract: The triphenylethylene antiestrogens, idoxifene (Idox) and toremifene (Tor), are structurally related analogues of tamoxifen (Tam) and were developed to improve the therapeutic index for advanced breast cancer patients. However, the issue of cross-resistance with Tam for these new agents is critical for clinical testing because the majority of breast cancer patients have already received or failed adjuvant Tam. The goal of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Idox as an antitumor agent in three models of Tam-stimulated breast cancer in athymic mice and compare the results with the actions of Tor and ICI 182,780 in a Tam-stimulated MCF-7 tumor model. We first compared the activities of Tam and Idox in the 17beta-estradiol (E2)-stimulated MCF-7 tumor line MT2:E2. Tam and Idox reduced E2-stimulated growth by 65-70% (week 9: P = 0.0009 for Tam, P = 0.0005 for Idox versus E2 alone). However, Tam (1.5 mg daily) and Idox (1.0 mg daily) both produced T47D breast tumors in athymic mice during 23 weeks of treatment (12 tumors/22 sites and 15 tumors/18 sites, respectively). Tam and Idox stimulated tumor growth equally in two different Tam-stimulated MCF-7 models and in a T47D model. Tor was completely cross-resistant with Tam in the MCF-7 tumor model, which implied that neither Idox nor Tor would be effective as a second-line endocrine therapy after Tam failure and may offer no therapeutic advantages over Tam as adjuvant therapies. In contrast, ICI 182,780, a pure antiestrogen currently being tested as a treatment for breast cancer after Tam failure, had no growth-stimulatory effect on the MCF-7 Tam-stimulated breast tumor line. This agent may provide an advantage as an adjuvant therapy and increase the time to treatment failure.
52 citations
"Fulvestrant ('Faslodex')--a new tre..." refers background in this paper
...Moreover, due to their similar modes of action, patients who have previously been treated with tamoxifen are likely to have developed cross-resistance to these agents (Lee et al. 2000)....
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Journal Article•
TL;DR: BRCA1 appears to be primarily responsible for early-onset breast cancer in high risk families and will allow for its use in risk assessment, diagnostic evaluation and screening of high risk women.
Abstract: Numerous factors have been noted to be associated with risk of breast cancer. Indicators of endogenous hormonal alterations are among them: early age at menarche and late age at menopause, nulliparity, late age at first full term pregnancy and obesity in postmenopausal women. Other established risk factors are family history of breast cancer, histologic characteristics of benign tissue, mammographic patterns, exogenous hormones and alcohol consumption. Endogenous indicators may be a reflection of enhanced susceptibility, whereas exogenous exposures can have both independent effects on risk and the ability to interact with markers of inherited susceptibility. In case control studies of breast cancer, family history confers a risk elevation of two to three fold. The higher risk estimate occurs when first degree rather than second degree relatives are affected, or if more than one relative is affected. A relative diagnosed before age 45 increases risk for early-onset breast cancer. These findings have been obtained using either traditional analytic methods for case control data or an alternative strategy, which uses case control status as the predictor variable and models the risk to relatives in a time-dependent fashion. Risk of breast cancer is greater for the mother and sisters of cases than controls. The magnitude of risk increases with 1) decreasing age of diagnosis of the index case 2) additional family members with diagnosed breast cancer and 3) bilateral breast cancer in the index case. Although these two analytic approaches have somewhat different data requirements and may be subject to different biases, the results produced are quite consistent. Mutated p53 in female family members of patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome was one of the first identified genetic susceptibility markers for breast cancer. Application of segregation and linkage analyses to pedigrees with multiple affected family members successfully focused the search for BRCA1. Recent cloning and sequencing of BRCA1 will allow for its use in risk assessment, diagnostic evaluation and screening of high risk women. BRCA1 appears to be primarily responsible for early-onset breast cancer in high risk families. Rare alleles of H-ras could account for some of the late-onset cases in unselected populations since at least 85% of breast cancer appears to be sporadic, other genetic markers yet to be identified undoubtedly exist.
50 citations
"Fulvestrant ('Faslodex')--a new tre..." refers background in this paper
...Although important for normal physiological growth processes, estrogens are also known to play a significant role in the stimulation and growth of breast tumors (Hulka 1996)....
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TL;DR: The laboratory has shown that mutations in the estrogen receptor can cause an antiestrogen-occupied receptor to behave as though it were occupied by an estrogen, and it is likely that the mechanisms which cause tamoxifen resistant growth are equally heterogeneous.
Abstract: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy occurring in Western women, and is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality. The nonsteroidal antiestrogen tamoxifen has been shown to be an effective treatment for pre and postmenopausal women with all stages of the disease. Tamoxifen provides effective palliation when used to treat patients with advanced disease, and adjuvant tamoxifen therapy produces significant increases in both disease-free and overall survival (Early Breast Cancer Trialists Collaborative Group. Lancet 339:1-15, 71-85, 1992). Data from the laboratory have shown that the primary action of tamoxifen is tumoristatic rather than tumoricidal, and long-term therapy is therefore recommended. Unfortunately, many patients experience disease progression while taking tamoxifen. Some tamoxifen resistant tumors may remain sensitive to alternative endocrine therapies, while others may become refractory to any hormonal manipulation. Many models have been developedin vitro andin vivo to study the progression of breast cancer growth from tamoxifen sensitive to tamoxifen resistant. We and others have used long-term estrogen deprivation and long-term tamoxifen exposure to develop cell lines and tumors capable of growth in the presence of clinically relevant tamoxifen concentrations. Recently our laboratory has also shown that mutations in the estrogen receptor can cause an antiestrogen-occupied receptor to behave as though it were occupied by an estrogen. Breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease and it is likely that the mechanisms which cause tamoxifen resistant growth are equally heterogeneous. Several of the models from our laboratory and others which may contribute to an understanding of this complex phenomenon are discussed here.
45 citations