Drug Discovery and Development

  • Home Drug Discovery and Development
  • Drug Discovery
  • Women in Pharma and Biotech
  • Oncology
  • Neurological Disease
  • Infectious Disease
  • Resources
    • Video features
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
  • Pharma 50
    • 2025 Pharma 50
    • 2024 Pharma 50
    • 2023 Pharma 50
    • 2022 Pharma 50
    • 2021 Pharma 50
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE

Roche’s Perjeta Meets Primary Endpoint in Breast Cancer Study

By Roche Holding AG | March 2, 2017

Phase III APHINITY study shows Roche’s Perjeta regimen helped people with an aggressive type of early breast cancer live longer without their disease returning compared to Herceptin and chemotherapy.

Roche, the Breast International Group, Breast European Adjuvant Study Team  and Frontier Science Foundation announced positive results from the phase III APHINITY study.

The study met its primary endpoint and showed that adjuvant (after surgery) treatment with the combination of Perjeta (pertuzumab), Herceptin (trastuzumab) and chemotherapy (the Perjeta-based regimen) achieved a statistically significant reduction in the risk of recurrence of invasive disease or death (invasive disease-free survival; iDFS) in people with HER2-positive early breast cancer (eBC) compared to Herceptin and chemotherapy alone.

The safety profile of the Perjeta-based regimen was consistent with that seen in previous studies1, and no new safety signals were identified. Full results from the APHINITY trial will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting in 2017.

“These results from the positive APHINITY study represent an important addition to the body of data for Perjeta in the treatment of people with HER2-positive early breast cancer,” said Sandra Horning, M.D., chief medical officer and head of global product development at Roche. “We look forward to discussing these adjuvant results with global regulatory authorities.”

Gunter von Minckwitz, M.D., study coordinator from the Breast International Group and academic study partners, added, “APHINITY provides yet another example of the importance of industry-academic collaborations and their value in advancing cancer care for people affected by this challenging disease.”

HER2-positive breast cancer is an aggressive form of the disease, which affects approximately one in five people with breast cancer2 and is associated with a poor prognosis if left untreated.3 Despite advancements in the treatment of HER2-positive eBC, up to one in three people treated with Herceptin and chemotherapy may eventually see their cancer return.4,5 

Treatment options are needed to improve the outcomes of people with this aggressive disease. Treating breast cancer early, before it has spread, may improve the chance of preventing the disease from returning and potentially reaching an incurable stage.6 Adjuvant therapy is given after surgery and is aimed at killing any remaining cancer cells to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.6

The combination of Perjeta, Herceptin and chemotherapy is licenced as a neoadjuvant (before surgery) treatment for people with HER2-positive eBC in more than 75 countries worldwide following approvals by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).1,7 In the U.S., the regimen is currently available under the FDA accelerated approval program.

The APHINITY trial reflects the commitment to evaluate the Perjeta-based regimen as part of a complete treatment approach for eBC. These data will be discussed with health authorities across the world, including the U.S. FDA with the hope to convert the current U.S. accelerated approval to a full approval.
__________________________________________________

1. EMA. Perjeta Summary of Product Characteristics. Last accessed February 2017.

2. Wolff A, et al. J Clin Oncol 2013;31(31):3997-4013.

3. Slamon DJ, et al. Science 1987;235:177-182

4. Jackisch C, et al. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2015; Abstract PD5-01

5. Slamon D, et al. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2015; Abstract S5-04.

6. Scharl A, et al. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2015;75(7):683–91.

7. FDA. FDA approves Perjeta for neoadjuvant breast cancer treatment. Last accessed February 2017.

(Source: Roche)

 


Filed Under: Drug Discovery

 

Related Articles Read More >

Lokavant’s Spectrum v15 uses AI to cut trial-feasibility modeling from weeks to minutes
Prime time for peptide-based drug discovery 
Why smaller, simpler molecular glues are gaining attention in drug discovery
Glass vial, pipette and woman scientist in laboratory for medical study, research or experiment. Test tube, dropper and professional female person with chemical liquid for pharmaceutical innovation
Unlocking ‘bench-to-bedside’ discoveries requires better data sharing and collaboration
“ddd
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest news and trends happening now in the drug discovery and development industry.

MEDTECH 100 INDEX

Medtech 100 logo
Market Summary > Current Price
The MedTech 100 is a financial index calculated using the BIG100 companies covered in Medical Design and Outsourcing.
Drug Discovery and Development
  • MassDevice
  • DeviceTalks
  • Medtech100 Index
  • Medical Design Sourcing
  • Medical Design & Outsourcing
  • Medical Tubing + Extrusion
  • Subscribe to our E-Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • R&D World
  • Drug Delivery Business News
  • Pharmaceutical Processing World

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Drug Discovery & Development

  • Home Drug Discovery and Development
  • Drug Discovery
  • Women in Pharma and Biotech
  • Oncology
  • Neurological Disease
  • Infectious Disease
  • Resources
    • Video features
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
  • Pharma 50
    • 2025 Pharma 50
    • 2024 Pharma 50
    • 2023 Pharma 50
    • 2022 Pharma 50
    • 2021 Pharma 50
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE