Novartis’ Kisqali delays need for chemo by over 4 years in post-menopausal HR+HER2- metastatic breast cancer

pharmafile | December 9, 2020 | News story | Research and Development |  Kisqali, Novartis, breast cancer 

Novartis has lifted the curtain on updated Phase 3 data for Kisqali (ribociclib) in the treatment of hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (HR+HER2-) metastatic breast cancer post-menopausal female patients, when combined with endocrine therapy of goserelin and either an aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen.

After a median follow-up of 53.5 months, the Kisqali combo was shown to demonstrate a median overall survival benefit of 58.7 months, a significant improvement over the median 48 months shown by endocrine therapy alone. This benefit was translated in patients receiving Kisqali in combination with an aromatase inhibitor subgroup, with a median 58.7 months compared to a median 47.7 months in those receiving an aromatase inhibitor in combination with placebo.   

According to Novartis, these were the longest survival data ever reported in this patient population. The findings showed that Kisqali plus endocrine therapy delayed the need for chemotherapy in patients by 50.9 months – more than four years.

“These longer-term data showing ribociclib can help women with metastatic breast cancer live longer are remarkable and emphasize the progress we’ve made in treating this disease, which until now, had an estimated median survival of just three years,” explained Dr Debu Tripathy, Chair of Breast Medical Oncology at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. “I’m hopeful the proven overall survival benefit with ribociclib will shift the standard for those with metastatic breast cancer, and that patients are empowered to ask their doctors about which treatments give them the best chance of living longer with the best quality of life.”

Matt Fellows