Comparing the effectiveness and safety of combined therapy of atezolizumab with nab-paclitaxel in patients with triple negative breast cancer

The study compared the effectiveness and safety of atezolizumab (Tecentriq) and nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) combined therapy with nab-paclitaxel alone in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The study found that combined therapy was more effective than single therapy but it had more serious side effects in these patients. 

TNBC is an aggressive breast cancer due to its quick spread. TNBC does not consist of estrogen or progesterone receptors and does not produce much of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2). TNBC treatment consists of a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

Atezolizumab is an immunotherapy drug that helps the immune system track down and kill cancer cells. It is a newly approved immunotherapy drug for TNBC. Another effective drug for TNBC is nab-paclitaxel which is a chemotherapy drug.

The combination of atezolizumab and nab-paclitaxel has been approved for the treatment of TNBC. However, the safety and effectiveness of the combined therapy compared to single nab-paclitaxel treatment in patients with TNBC are still unknown.

The study analyzed a total of 6 other studies. 1078 patients received combined therapy of atezolizumab and nab-paclitaxel (group 1) and 886 patients received nab-paclitaxel alone (group 2).

There was no difference in the overall survival rate in both groups. However, group 1 had a 28% better chance of surviving without cancer worsening compared to group 2. Group 1 also had a 25% better chance of responding to treatment compared to group 2. 

There was no statistically significant difference in overall side effects between both groups. However, there was a 10% higher rate of serious side effects in the combined therapy group compared to single chemotherapy group. The serious adverse events involved the skin, lungs, brain, and hormones.

The study concluded that combined therapy of atezolizumab and nab-paclitaxel was more effective than nab-paclitaxel alone in patients with TNBC. However, combined therapy had more serious side effects compared to single therapy.

Most of the studies had small sample sizes. Also, the studies were very different and some of them had conflicting results. The manufacturer of atezolizumab, Roche has temporarily stopped the use of combined therapy atezolizumab and nab-paclitaxel in TNBC to further evaluate.