FLASH-Breast: Evaluating the Efficacy of Fezolinetant in Reducing Vasomotor Symptoms in Women With Breast Cancer on Endocrine Therapy

Purpose

This is a phase II, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of fezolinetant (45 mg a day) vs. placebo in reducing moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) in breast cancer survivors on endocrine therapy (tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors). The trial will proceed in a single stage, and the total of 92 participants will be randomized in 1:1 fashion to fezolinetant or placebo arm respectively.

Condition

  • Breast Cancer Early Stage Breast Cancer (Stage 1-3)

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 40 Years and 65 Years
Eligible Sex
Female
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

Women with diagnosed, histologically confirmed, clinical stage I-III, HR+ invasive breast cancer as defined by ASCO CAP guidelines for whom adjuvant endocrine therapy would be indicated. BMI of 18-40 kg/m2 Age 40-65 Currently on endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors) Willing and able to provide written informed consent/assent for the trial. Postmenopausal as defined by spontaneous amenorrhea for at least 12 consecutive months, spontaneous amenorrhea for at least 6 months with biochemical criteria or menopause (FSH > 40 IU/L), or bilateral oophorectomy for at least 6 weeks before the screening visit, or if premenopausal chemically suppressed by GnRH agonist therapy with ultrasensitive estradiol level <10. On endocrine therapy for a minimum of 3 months and has planned duration of 12 weeks left in the treatment regimen. Experiencing an average of seven or more moderate to severe hot flashes per day over a 7-day period as documented by Symptom Diary during the Screening Period and seeking treatment or relief for VMS. Able to swallow oral formulation of the study agent.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants who have a diagnosis of stage IV metastatic disease Receiving any other cancer treatment other than endocrine therapy. This includes chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy. Receiving cytochrome CYP1A2 inhibitors Participants who have received any treatment for vasomotor symptoms (prescription, over the counter, or herbal) for the last 28 days. Pregnant or lactating patients Active liver disease, jaundice, or elevated liver aminotransferases (ALT or AST) >2x ULN, or elevated total bilirubin, OR elevated direct bilirubin, or elevated INR, or elevated alkaline phosphatase >2x ULN Creatinine > 1.5 times upper limit of normal; or estimated GFR ≤ 30 mL/min per 1.73 m2 at screening. Judgement by the investigator that the participant should not participate in the study if the participant is unlikely to comply with study procedures, restrictions, and requirements.

Study Design

Phase
Phase 2
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Active Comparator
Fezolinetant
Fezolinetant is an oral medication, and the first neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptor antagonist approved by the FDA in May 2023 for treatment of moderate to severe hot flashes due to menopause. It blocks the activities of the NK3 receptor which is involved in the brain's regulation of body temperature.
  • Drug: Fezolinetant
    45 mg tablets, administered orally once daily with or without food, to be taken throughout the entire study phase, i.e. 12 weeks
Placebo Comparator
Placebo
Patients will be given placebo tablets to compare to active comparator.
  • Drug: Placebo
    45 mg tablets, administered orally once daily with or without food, to be taken throughout the entire study phase, i.e. 12 weeks

Recruiting Locations

Yale University
New Haven 4839366, Connecticut 4831725 06511
Contact:
Carl Brown
203-785-4095
carl.brown@yale.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Yale University

Study Contact

Laura Kane
773-369-6904
laura.kane@yale.edu

Detailed Description

This is a phase II, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of fezolinetant (45 mg a day) vs. placebo in reducing moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) in breast cancer survivors on endocrine therapy (tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors). The trial will proceed in a single stage, and the total of 92 participants will be randomized in 1:1 fashion to fezolinetant or placebo arm respectively. After the 7-14-day screening period when all the baseline, pre-treatment measures will be collected, we will record daily data on frequency and severity of VMS and calculate weekly averages of both metrics. After the 12 weeks treatment period, formal efficacy analysis will be conducted and the treatment with fezolinetant will be deemed efficacious if the final weekly average of daily frequency of VMS will be significantly reduced compared to the 'week12 - baseline' difference of the placebo arm. Upon conclusion of the formal 12-week treatment assignment, once VMS final assessment has been recorded, we will unblind the study participants to their treatment assignment. Participants will be then allowed to cross over shall they choose to do so. Due to the vast availability of safety and efficacy data in general population, we did not include interim efficacy/futility or safety analysis. Our hypothesis is that neurokinin blockade by fezolinetant will significantly reduce vasomotor symptoms in breast cancer survivors on endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or aromatase-inhibitor) measured by mean change in frequency of moderate to severe VMS based on patient-reported data from baseline to 12-weeks.