Dr. O'Shaughnessy on the Utility of Capivasertib in Targeting Akt in Breast Cancer

Joyce A. O'Shaughnessy, MD, chair of Breast Cancer Research and the Celebrating Women Chair in Breast Cancer at Baylor-Sammons Cancer Center, Texas Oncology, and chair of The US Oncology Network, and 2016 Giant of Cancer Care^® in Community Outreach, discusses the utility of targeting capivasertib (AZD5363) in targeting Akt mutations in breast cancer.

Akt mutations are present in about 5% of patients with breast cancer, explains O'Shaughnessy. Often, these mutations are acquired through endocrine-therapy resistance.

In the ongoing phase IIa plasmaMATCH trial, capivasertib, an oral Akt inhibitor, demonstrated clinically significant objective response rates and substantial reduction in tumor volume for patients with AKT or PTEN mutations, explains O'Shaughnessy.

The addition of capivasertib to fulvestrant (Faslodex) more than doubled progression-free survival compared with fulvestrant alone for patients with endocrine-resistant estrogen receptor—positive advanced breast cancer in the phase II FAKTION trial. The benefit was observed regardless of patients’ Akt and PIK3CA—mutation status, says O'Shaughnessy.

While capivasertinib is not currently approved, the agent may be made available via compassionate use for patients in this population, O'Shaughnessy concludes.

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