Dr. Yardley on the Role of Ribociclib/Letrozole in HR+ Advanced Breast Cancer

Denise A. Yardley, MD, Senior Investigator, Breast Cancer Research Program, Principal Investigator, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, discusses the efficacy achieved with ribociclib (Kisqali) plus letrozole in patients with hormone receptor (HR)–positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer.

The benefit observed in the phase 3 MONALEESA-2 trial (NCT01958021) applied to patients with pressing tumor burdens, such as those with multiple sites of disease or liver metastasis, as well as those who were older than 65 years of age and who had received prior endocrine treatment, according to Yardley. Overall survival benefit was observed across the patient subgroups examined, and was not limited to 1 population, Yardley notes.

The data from the study provide reassurance that ribociclib plus letrozole is a favorable approach for this patient population, Yardley says. Because the combination also provides a benefit with respect to quality of life and a survival advantage is more than 12 months, the regimen should be considered to be a standard of care in the treatment of patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, Yardley concludes.