A trial looking at abiraterone with exemestane for breast cancer that has spread
Please note - this trial is no longer recruiting patients. We hope to add results when they are available.
Cancer type:
Status:
Phase:
This trial is looking at using a new drug called abiraterone with exemestane for breast cancer that has spread to another part of the body. This trial is for women who have oestrogen receptor positive (ER positive) breast cancer.
Doctors often use hormone therapy to treat breast cancer. Two drugs they use are anastrozole and letrozole. But sometimes the cancer starts to grow again and then doctors may use exemestane.
Abiraterone is a new type of hormone therapy. It stops the body from making certain hormones. The researchers think that using abiraterone with exemestane may be better than exemestane alone.
The aim of this trial is to compare exemestane alone with abiraterone and exemestane. The researchers want to find out which is best for women whose breast cancer has continued to grow during or after treatment with anastrozole or letrozole.
Who can enter
You may be able to enter this trial if
- You have breast cancer that has spread to another part of your body
- Your cancer is oestrogen receptor positive (ER positive)
- Your cancer responded to anastrozole or letrozole
- You have satisfactory blood test results
- You are well enough to carry out all your normal activities, apart from heavy physical work (performance status of 0 or 1)
- You have had both your ovaries surgically removed or are
post menopausal 
- Your heart works well enough – your doctor will test for this
- You are at least 18 years old
You cannot enter this trial if you
- Have already had exemestane, or drugs called ketoconazole, aminoglutethimide or CYP17 inhibitors – your doctor can tell you this
- Have had more than 2 courses of treatment for breast cancer that has spread or more than 1 course of treatment if this included chemotherapy
- Have had
immunotherapy in the past month - Have had radiotherapy in the past 2 weeks – you may be able to take part if your radiotherapy was to control symptoms
- Have had hormone therapy or chemotherapy in the past 2 weeks - 3 weeks if you have had bevacizumab (Avastin)
- Have cancer that has spread to your brain or spinal cord and is causing symptoms or have cancer cells in your spinal fluid (leptomeningeal disease)
- Have ongoing moderate to severe side effects from earlier treatment – you may be able to take part if your side effects are hair loss or moderate nerve damage to the feet or hands (
peripheral neuropathy ) - Have had major chest or tummy (abdominal) surgery in the past month
- Have had a major injury in the past month
- Have high blood pressure that is not controlled with medication
- Have an
adrenal gland that makes too much of the hormone aldosterone (hyperaldostronism) - Have an underactive
pituitary gland (hypopituitarism) - Have had a heart attack in the last 6 months
- Have heart pain (angina) that is severe or not controlled with medication
- Have a problem with your
digestive system that could affect the way you absorb drugs - Have an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis and are taking steroids
- Are hepatitis B or hepatitis C positive
- Are sensitive to abiraterone, exemestane, prednisolone or their ingredients
- Have had an experimental drug or used an experimental medical device as part of a clinical trial in the last month
- Have any other medical condition that could affect you taking part in this trial
Trial design
This is a phase 2 trial. It will recruit 300 women from different countries around the world. It is a randomised trial. Women who take part will be put into 1 of 3 treatment groups by a computer. Neither you nor your doctor can choose which group you are in.
In group 1 you have abiraterone, prednisolone and exemestane. In group 2 you have abiraterone and prednisolone. In group 3 you have exemestane alone.
Abiraterone is a tablet. You take 4 tablets daily on an empty stomach. You can’t eat for at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after taking your tablets. You take your tablets about the same time each day.
Prednisolone is a tablet. You take 1 tablet daily at the same time as you take abiraterone. When you stop taking abiraterone you keep taking prednisolone. Your doctor will tell you when and how to stop taking prednisolone.
Exemestane is a tablet. You take 1 tablet daily after a meal.
You can continue having treatment as long as the side effects aren’t bad and the treatment is still helping you.
If you are taking exemestane alone and it stops helping, you may be able to switch to abiraterone. Your doctor will talk to you about this.
The researchers will ask you to fill in 3 questionnaires once a month during treatment, at the end of treatment and then every 3 months after that. They will ask about how you are feeling, what you can do and side effects you might have. This is called a quality of life study.
The researchers will also ask your permission to take a small piece of tissue from when you had your biopsy or surgery. This is to look at the genes in the cancer cells.
Hospital visits
You see the doctor and have some tests before taking part in this trial. These tests include
- A physical examination
- Blood tests
- Heart trace –
ECG
- Heart scan –
ECHO
- CT scan or MRI scan
- Urine test
During the first 3 months of treatment you see the doctor fortnightly for a blood test. You have a physical examination every 4 weeks.
After this you see the doctor every month for a blood test and physical examination. You will not be able to eat before this appointment, so that your doctor can measure the amount of sugar in your blood (a fasting blood test). You have a CT scan or MRI scan and heart trace regularly while having treatment.
At the end of treatment you see the doctor and have the same tests. After treatment you see the doctor every 3 months.
Side effects
The most common side effects of abiraterone may include
- Fluid retention causing swelling of the legs
- Low levels of potassium in the blood
- High blood pressure
- Bladder infection
- Liver changes
- High levels of fat in the blood
- Heart problems
The side effects of exemestane may include
- Tiredness
Hot flushes - Increased sweating
- Increased appetite
- Bone thinning, causing an increased risk of broken bones
The most common side effects of prednisolone may include
- Difficulty getting to sleep (insomnia)
- Mood changes
- Depression
- Changes in blood sugar levels
We have more information on abiraterone, exemestane and prednisolone in our cancer drugs section.
Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Chief Investigator
Dr Andreas Makris
Supported by
Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC)
Janssen-Cilag
National Institute for Health Research Cancer Research Network (NCRN)
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
