BOLERO-2 18-month follow-up shows benefits with Afinitor/Aromasin combination (Novartis/Pfizer) in Breast Cancer patients

Results from the Phase III BOLERO-2 trial show that the effects on survival observed with the Novartis drug Afinitor (everolimus) plus Aromasin (exemestane), from Pfizer, in women with Breast Cancer is maintained after 18 months. The trial studied the efficacy and safety of the two drugs versus placebo plus exemestane, in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive advanced Breast Cancer that has progressed or recurred after therapy.

The study shows that at 18 months follow up, progression free survival is 7.8 months for everolimus plus exemestane versus 3.2 months for exemestane alone. There were also fewer deaths in those taking the combined everolimus/exemestane treatment (25.4% versus 32.2%). Adverse effects were consistent with previous studies. Data was presented by Martine Piccart, MD, Director of Medicine at the Jules Bordet Institute in Brussels at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.