November 2021: Survival analysis of the randomised phase III GeparOcto trial

GeparOcto demonstrated that pathological complete response (pCR) of intense dose-dense epirubicin, paclitaxel and cyclophosphamide (iddEPC) was comparable to weekly paclitaxel/non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (plus carboplatin (PM(Cb) in triplenegative breast cancer [TNBC]) in high-risk early breast cancer (BC). Here, we report time-to-event secondary endpoints.

Highlights:

• No significant survival difference was observed for the entire cohort, HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer subgroups.
• Patients with HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer benefit from iddEPC despite no difference in pCR rate.

Conclusion: While there was no difference in survival for the entire cohort, the HR+/HER2-subgroup significantly benefits from iddEPC. This supports the concept of an additional effect of NACT beyond pCR in patients with HR+/HER2- BC.

Schneeweiss A, Michel LL, Möbus V, et al. Survival analysis of the randomised phase III GeparOcto trial comparing neoadjuvant chemotherapy of intense dose-dense epirubicin, paclitaxel, cyclophosphamide versus weekly paclitaxel, liposomal doxorubicin (plus carboplatin in triple-negative breast cancer) for patients with high-risk early breast cancer. Eur J Cancer. 2022;160:100-111.

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