Efficacy and safety of dasatinib with trastuzumab and paclitaxel in first line HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: results from the phase II GEICAM/2010-04 study

Background An important proportion of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients do not respond to trastuzumab. The combination of dasatinib and trastuzumab has shown to be synergistic in preclinical models. Methods We conducted a phase II trial combining dasatinib 100 mg once daily with trastuzumab 2 mg/kg and paclitaxel 80 mg/m 2 weekly. Primary objective was objective response rate (ORR) and secondary included safety, other efficacy parameters and pharmacodynamics in tumour tissue, blood samples and skin biopsies. Results From June 2013 to December 2015, 29 patients were included. Median number of cycles was 12 (1–49). Only 6 patients discontinued due to adverse events. ORR was 79.3% (95% CI 60.3–92), clinical benefit rate 82.8% (95% CI 64.2–94.2). Median time to progression 23.9 months (95% CI 14.9–not reached [NR]), median progression-free survival 23.9 months (95% CI 10.3–NR). No grade 4 toxicity was seen. Grade 3 toxicities included: ejection fraction decrease, neutropenia, hyponatremia, fatigue and sensory neuropathy and one left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Phosphorylated (p)-SRC was reduced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Phosphorylated SRC, ERK and AKT were also reduced in epidermal keratinocytes. Conclusions Dasatinib can be safely combined with trastuzumab and paclitaxel. The combination is active with an ORR of almost 80%. Trial registration : NCT01306942, EudraCT 2010-023304-27.