Eribulin (Halaven) versus other treatment options in women with stage IV breast cancer

This study compared the efficacy of Eribulin (Halaven) versus other treatments in women with previously treated stage IV breast cancer. Eribulin extended overall survival more than the other treatment options.

Late stage breast cancer offers limited treatment options. At this point in the disease, the cancer has spread to other organs of the body and cannot be cured with surgery and radiation treatments. Many patients in stage IV are treated with a variety of drugs in an attempt to shrink the main tumor and metastases and to prolong survival. Unfortunately, tumors can become resistant to these therapies. These pre-treated tumors are difficult to control and oncologists will usually select another regimen which offers the best chance to stop cancer progression (also called “treatment of physician’s choice” – TPC). TPC is selected based on carefully considered patient and tumor characteristics.

Eribulin is a drug recently approved by the FDA for metastatic (stage IV) cancers pre-treated with at least two other chemotherapy regimens.

The present study included 762 women who were previously treated with other chemotherapy regimens (an average of 4 different regimens). 508 patients received Eribulin alone, while the remaining 254 received the TPC. Results showed that Eribulin therapy offered a median overall survival of 13.1 months compared to 10.6 months for the TPC. The 1-year survival in the Eribulin group was 53.9%, compared to 43.7% in the TPC group. Severe side-effects occurred at the same proportion in both groups (25% Eribulin vs. 26% TPC).

These results prove that even in very advanced cancers, Eribulin can help prolong survival compared to traditional treatments.

However, it is important to note that the TPC group was smaller and included patients treated with various chemotherapy regimens. This study was funded by Eisai, the manufacturer of Eribulin. Further reading: FDA information for Eribulin (Halaven)

Since Eribulin has received FDA approval, you should ask your doctor if this treatment is right for you.