APPALACHES (EORTC 1745-ETF-BCG)

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    A Phase II study of Adjuvant PALbociclib as an Alternative to CHemotherapy in Elderly patientS with high-risk ER+/HER2- early breast cance (APPALACHES)

  • IRAS ID

    257493

  • Contact name

    Peter Schmid

  • Contact email

    p.schmid@qmul.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    European Organisation for research and treatment of Cancer

  • Eudract number

    2018-002553-30

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    NCT03609047

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    5 years, 0 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    This study is for men and women aged 70 or over who have high-risk, ER+/HER2- early breast cancer, and are suitable for treatment with chemotherapy.

    The purpose of the study is to find out whether giving the drug palbociclib together with anti-hormonal therapy works as least as well as the standard chemotherapy following by anti-hormonal therapy to stop the cancer coming back (recurring/relapsing) and with fewer side effects.

    Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Cancer in older people is a major public health issue since the incidence of cancer increases with age, and the life expectancy of the Western population is increasing.

    Although endocrine therapy is an effective therapy, some patients may relapse with metastatic disease, most likely due to the development of resistance to the therapy. Chemotherapy can be effective but toxic. This is why combined approaches of adjuvant endocrine therapy with other molecules such as CDK4/6 inhibitors are worth investigating.

    The study has a translational research component where blood samples will also be analysed to understand the biomarkers for biological age.

    This study will take place in NHS sites in the UK as part of a wider international study. The study is sponsored and coordinated by the EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer), a non-profit organisation based in Brussels.

  • REC name

    South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    19/SC/0130

  • Date of REC Opinion

    28 Jun 2019

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion