Onapristone Extended-Release, Letrozole, and Palbociclib for the Treatment of Unresectable or Metastatic Estrogen Receptor Positive, Progesterone Receptor Positive, HER2 Negative Breast Cancer
This phase Ib trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of onapristone extended-release (ER) in combination with letrozole and palbociclib in treating patients with estrogen receptor positive, progesterone receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable) or has spread to other places in the body (metastatic). HER2- means that the cancer does not contain HER2, a protein that controls cell growth. Estrogen receptor positive (ER+)/progesterone receptor positive (PR+) means that the cancer has receptors (proteins) that attach to the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which promote the growth of breast cancer cells. Progesterone is a hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle in women. In patients who have PR+ breast cancers, the cancer cells take control of the progesterone and use it to grow and spread. Onapristone ER may slow or stop the growth of cancer cells and shrink tumor(s) by preventing progesterone from attaching to the cancer cells, so the cells can’t use it to fuel their growth. Because onapristone ER changes the way hormones work, the drug is considered a hormone therapy. Letrozole blocks the production of estrogen, which prevents the cancer from getting the estrogen it needs to grow and survive. Palbociclib regulates proteins that control cell growth, which can help prevent the growth and spread of cancer. Giving onapristone ER with letrozole and palbociclib may help shrink or stabilize the disease in patients with ER+/PR+ HER2- breast cancer.