Discontinuation Of Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy Research Articles

327 Nociplastic pain and early discontinuation of aromatase inhibitor therapy in breast cancer patients over age 65

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Side effects are why up to 50% of women with hormone-positive breast cancer prematurely discontinue aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy. Pain from altered nociception without clear tissue/nerve damage (nociplastic) is a hypothesized contributing factor to this. Our objective was to evaluate the relationship between nociplastic pain and AI duration. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Patients with breast cancer diagnosed between 2012-19 were identified from the University of Michigan Genomics Initiative (MGI). Patients who were female, >65 years old at time of breast cancer diagnosis, and had hormone receptor-positive disease met inclusion criteria. Prior to undergoing surgery, patients completed validated surveys about overall worst pain (Brief Pain Inventory [BPI]), nociplastic pain (2011 Fibromyalgia Survey [FS]), and life satisfaction, with higher scores representing more of the factor. Breast cancer history, treatment, and patient demographics were abstracted from the medical record. Univariate analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between age, body-mass index (BMI), chemotherapy, BPI, FS, life satisfaction, and time to discontinuation of initial AI. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: 207 patients were eligible, 133 of whom initiated AI therapy. Of the 133 analyzed patients, mean age was 70.7 years and mean BMI was 30.3. 28 (21%) underwent adjuvant chemotherapy and 79 (59%) received adjuvant radiation prior to initiation of AI therapy. Average nociplastic pain score was 4.0/31 (standard deviation [SD] 4.6), worst pain was 1.5/10 (SD 1.9), and life satisfaction score was 7.3/10 (SD 2.8). The initial AI for 94% of patients (125 patients) was anastrozole. On univariate analysis, only higher nociplastic pain score was statistically associated with premature discontinuation of AI with a HR 1.07 (95%CI 1.00-1.13, p = 0.036). On multivariable analysis, no factors remained statistically significant, although there was a trend for nociplastic pain (HR 1.06, 95%CI 1.00-1.13, p = 0.068). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: It is important to identify variables predicting tolerance to therapy so patients can be optimally counseled. Our study suggests that patients with pre-existing baseline pain disorders may be more likely to be nonpersistent with AI therapy. Future study should be conducted to determine if treatments for nocipastic pain improve AI persistence.

Associations between preexisting nociplastic pain and early discontinuation of aromatase inhibitor therapy in breast cancer.

12068 Background: Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are recommended for at least five years to reduce risk of breast cancer recurrence in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive disease. Despite the potential benefit, up to 50% of patients discontinue AI early, primarily because of musculoskeletal side effects. Some patients, including those with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions, have preexisting pain that arises from altered nociception without clear evidence of tissue or peripheral nerve damage, called nociplastic or centralized pain. We hypothesized that preexisting nociplastic pain is associated with early discontinuation of AI therapy due to toxicity. Methods: Patients diagnosed with breast cancer between 2012-19 and who enrolled in the Michigan Genomics Initiative (MGI) were identified. Patients who were female, had hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, had not received neoadjuvant therapy, and who initiated adjuvant AI therapy were included in the analysis. Prior to breast cancer surgery patients completed surveys about pain in the affected breast and overall worst pain (Brief Pain Inventory [BPI]), nociplastic pain (2011 Fibromyalgia Survey [FS], which assesses widespread pain plus somatic symptom severity), and anxiety (PROMIS Anxiety 4a v.1). Demographics, cancer characteristics, and treatment history, including date and reason for discontinuation of AI therapy, were abstracted from the medical record. Patients were censored at date of last oncology follow-up. Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to assess relationship between age, BMI, surgical site pain, overall worst pain, FS score, anxiety, and time to discontinuation of initial AI medication. Results: Of 207 analyzed patients, the average age was 61 years, average BMI was 30.3 kg/m2, 181 (87%) were postmenopausal at the time of breast cancer diagnosis, and 31% received chemotherapy. The majority were prescribed anastrozole (n=196); 6 took letrozole and 5 took exemestane. Average scores prior to surgery were 1.5/10 for worst pain, 0.2/10 for surgical site pain, 4.2/31 for FS score, and 54.1/100 for anxiety. On univariate analysis, only use of exemestane (HR 5.55, p<.001) and use of letrozole (HR 3.11, p<.001) were associated with shorter time to ET discontinuation; age, BMI, surgical site pain, worst pain, FS score, and anxiety were not statistically significantly associated with time to AI discontinuation. On multivariable analysis, only higher FS score was statistically significantly associated with time to AI discontinuation (HR 1.11, p=.021). Conclusions: Greater pre-existing nociplastic pain was associated with early discontinuation of AI therapy. For these patients, early interventions that target centralized pain, or treatment with tamoxifen instead of AI therapy, may be appropriate in order to reduce risk of nonpersistence with AI therapy.

Management of Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Musculoskeletal Symptoms.

Aromatase inhibitor-induced musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS) were first recognized as a distinct entity in 2001, 5 years after the approval of the first aromatase inhibitor, anastrozole. Musculoskeletal symptoms can severely affect patients' quality of life and also lead to premature discontinuation of aromatase inhibitor therapy. Several interventions for managing AIMSS have been investigated in the last decade, with some demonstrating promise. This article provides an evidence-based summary to guide practicing oncologists in regard to the epidemiology, prevention, and treatment of AIMSS.

Effect of Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy on Sleep and Activity Patterns in Early-stage Breast Cancer

IntroductionAdherence to aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy is poor, often because of treatment-emergent side effects, including musculoskeletal symptoms, fatigue, and insomnia. In the present analysis, we examined the sleep patterns and daytime function both objectively using actigraphy and subjectively using validated questionnaires in women initiating AI therapy. Patients and MethodsPostmenopausal women with stage 0-III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who were initiating AI therapy were eligible. The patients wore actigraphy devices for 10 consecutive days and completed questionnaires at baseline before the initiation of AI and after 3 months of AI therapy. Associations between the baseline demographics and symptoms, changes in patient-reported outcomes and actigraphy measures from baseline to 3 months of AI therapy and discontinuation of AI therapy were examined using sign tests, logistic regression models, Spearman's correlation, and linear mixed models. ResultsForty-two patients (86%) completed the baseline assessments and 23 patients (47%) completed both the baseline and the 3-month assessments. Objectively measured daytime function as measured by total daytime activity decreased during the 3 months after starting AI (232,566 activity count vs. 204,205 activity count; P = .023), and the decrease was more evident in women with higher baseline physical function. Reduced daytime activity correlated with increased fatigue (ρ = −0.49; P = .017). ConclusionDaytime function decreased after initiation of AI therapy and correlated moderately with increased fatigue, although no association was identified with changes in pain or sleep quality. Additional studies are required to understand why function is reduced, which could have implications for interventions to improve patient tolerance of, and persistence with, AI therapy.

Abstract P5-13-05: Effect of aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy on sleep and activity patterns in early stage breast cancer

Abstract Background: AIs are commonly used for treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer for 5-10 years. However, women often experience side effects including musculoskeletal pain and sleep disturbances that lead to treatment discontinuation and worse healthcare-related outcomes. There is a need to understand the impact of adjuvant AI therapy on sleep and activity patterns in treated patients and associations with treatment adherence. This study examines objective and subjective changes in sleep patterns and daytime function in patients starting AI therapy using actigraphy and questionnaires. Methods: 49 postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who completed local surgery and chemotherapy and were planning to start AI therapy were enrolled. Patients completed 10 consecutive days of actigraphy and validated questionnaires to assess pain, sleep quality, fatigue and physical function at baseline and after three months of AI therapy. Changes in actigraphy parameters after 3 months of AI therapy were examined using paired T-tests and associations between actigraphy measures and patient-reported outcomes were examined using Pearson's correlations. Results: 42 patients completed the baseline assessment and 22 patients completed the 3 month assessment. 20 patients were excluded due to incomplete actigraphy data (n=3), discontinuation of AI therapy (n=5) or withdrawal from the study per patient preference (n=12) prior to the 3 month assessment. Total 24 hour activity, average activity per minute and maximum activity over a 24 hour period worsened after 3 months of AI therapy (all p-values <0.05). There was a trend towards worse sleep efficiency after 3 months. Patient-reported physical function also decreased after 3 months of AI therapy (p-value <0.05), but pain severity remained unchanged. Worsening patient-reported fatigue after 3 months of AI treatment correlated to a decrease in average activity per minute (r=-0.55, p-value <0.05) and maximum activity over a 24 hour period (r=-0.61, p-value <0.05). Changes in actigraphy variables and questionnaires after 3 months of AI therapyMean actigraphy sleep and activity variablesBaseline assessment3 month assessmentP-value*24 hour total activity2125901881040.01924 hour average activity per minute (AC)157.6141.00.03724 hour maximum activity (AC)10359030.012Total sleep time (min)456.1469.10.17Sleep efficiency (%)77.274.60.068Wake after sleep onset (min)72.982.00.52Total activity at night (AC)595367050.13PROMIS Physical Function52.148.30.001Brief Pain Inventory Severity0.601.10.10*p-value from t-test Conclusions: Daytime activity and sleep patterns are negatively affected by AI therapy and are associated with worsening fatigue. Future research is needed to better understand the relationship between fatigue and daytime activity, which may lead to interventions to improve tolerance and adherence to AI therapy. Citation Format: Bhave MA, Kidwell K, Lyden AK, Alsamarraie C, Henry NL. Effect of aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy on sleep and activity patterns in early stage breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-13-05.

Acupuncture for joint symptoms related to aromatase inhibitor therapy in postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer: a narrative review.

Aromatase inhibitor-induced musculoskeletal syndrome (AIMSS) leads to discontinuation of aromatase inhibitor therapy in a significant proportion of patients with breast cancer. Acupuncture is popular among cancer patients and has previously been shown to improve symptoms in a range of musculoskeletal complaints. To determine the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for the management of AIMSS in postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer. A literature search was carried out for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture for AIMSS in postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer. Characteristics of trials and outcomes were extracted from the retrieved articles, which were also assessed for risk of bias and quality of reporting. Four RCTs were retrieved of sample size 32-67 (totalling 190 participants). Compliance with treatment was high and rates of adverse events were low. Of the three two-arm RCTs, two found no difference between acupuncture and sham acupuncture and one found that acupuncture was statistically superior to sham acupuncture. The fourth RCT, which incorporated three arms, found acupuncture and sham acupuncture to be statistically superior to usual care but there was no difference between true and sham acupuncture. Three trials that used non-penetrating sham as the control found no effect of acupuncture over sham, but the one trial that used superficial needle insertion found acupuncture to be superior. Acupuncture is safe and results in improvement in AIMSS symptoms, but similar benefits are also elicited by non-penetrating sham acupuncture. Future research should seek to establish the durability of improvements.

Patient-reported symptoms and discontinuation of adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy.

Aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy results in substantial survival benefits for patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The rates of poor adherence and discontinuation of AI therapy are high, primarily because of treatment-related toxicities like musculoskeletal pain. Although pain-related symptoms may worsen during AI therapy, the authors hypothesized that nonpersistence with AI therapy was associated with symptoms that were present before treatment initiation. Postmenopausal women initiating AI therapy who were enrolled in a prospective clinical trial completed questionnaires at baseline to assess sleep, fatigue, mood, and pain. Reasons for treatment discontinuation during the first year of treatment were recorded. Associations between baseline patient-reported symptoms and treatment discontinuation because of toxicity were identified using logistic regression. Four hundred forty-nine patients were evaluable. The odds of treatment discontinuation were higher in patients who reported a greater number of symptoms before AI initiation. Baseline poor sleep quality was associated with early treatment discontinuation, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.91 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26-2.89; P = .002). Baseline presence of tired feeling and forgetfulness had similar ORs for discontinuation (tired feeling: OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.15-2.67; P = .009; forgetfulness: OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.11-2.48; P = .015). An increasing total number of baseline symptoms was associated with an increased likelihood of treatment discontinuation, with an OR of 1.89 (95% CI, 1.20-2.96; P = .006) for 3 to 5 symptoms versus 0 to 2 symptoms. Symptom clusters in breast cancer survivors that are present before the initiation of adjuvant AI therapy may have a negative impact on a patient's persistence with therapy. Interventions to manage these symptoms may improve breast cancer outcomes and quality of life.

Genetic associations with toxicity-related discontinuation of aromatase inhibitor therapy for breast cancer

Up to 25 % of patients discontinue adjuvant aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy due to intolerable symptoms. Predictors of which patients will be unable to tolerate these medications have not been defined. We hypothesized that inherited variants in candidate genes are associated with treatment discontinuation because of AI-associated toxicity. We prospectively evaluated reasons for treatment discontinuation in women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer initiating adjuvant AI through a multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial of exemestane versus letrozole. Using multiple genetic models, we evaluated potential associations between discontinuation of AI therapy because of toxicity and 138 variants in 24 candidate genes, selected a priori, primarily with roles in estrogen metabolism and signaling. To account for multiple comparisons, statistical significance was defined as p < 0.00036. Of the 467 enrolled patients with available germline DNA, 152 (33 %) discontinued AI therapy because of toxicity. Using a recessive statistical model, an intronic variant in ESR1 (rs9322336) was associated with increased risk of musculoskeletal toxicity-related exemestane discontinuation [HR 5.0 (95 % CI 2.1-11.8), p < 0.0002]. An inherited variant potentially affecting estrogen signaling may be associated with exemestane-associated toxicity, which could partially account for intra-patient differences in AI tolerability. Validation of this finding is required.

S6-2: Patient-Reported Predictors of Early Treatment Discontinuation: NCIC JMA.27/E1Z03 Quality of Life Study of Postmenopausal Women with Primary Breast Cancer Randomized to Exemestane or Anastrozole.

Abstract Background: Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) assess symptom burden and health-related quality of life (HRQL) more accurately than clinical report. We previously found that treatment-emergent adverse events (CTCAE V3.0) did not impact efficacy in the main NCIC MA.27 trial, although many women discontinued treatment early. The purpose of this substudy was to obtain PROs in MA.27/E1Z03 participants to evaluate treatment-related side effects and HRQL between exemestane and anastrozole and to identify predictors of treatment discontinuation. Methods: The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group trial (E1Z03) assessed PROs in a sample of MA.27 patients (N=686; 99.3% participation rate). Participants completed the 56-item Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Endocrine Symptoms (FACT-ES) pre-treatment and at months 3, 6, 12 and 24 to assess breast-cancer specific concerns, side effects of hormonal treatments and HRQL. We used 1) Wilcoxon rank sum test to compare treatment-related symptoms and HRQL between trial arms; 2) linear mixed effect models to test differences in changes of treatment-related symptoms and HRQL between trial arms; 3) linear regression to examine the effects of symptoms on HRQL and 4) adjusted Cox regression to assess predictors of treatment duration. Results: Participants included 371 women randomized to anastrozole and 315 randomized to exemestane. Demographic and disease characteristics were balanced between trial arms. Participants were a mean age of 65.6 yrs (SD=9.2), White (95.9%), ECOG PS of 0 (87.2%), stage T1 (75.5%) or T2 (22.7%), and stage N0 (73.9%) or N1 (16.3%). Prior treatments included partial mastectomy (65.7%), chemotherapy (27.8%) and radiotherapy (51.7%). Treatment-related symptoms measured by 23 items from the FACT-ES did not differ between treatment arms at months 3, 6, 12 and 24 and the timeline change of treatment-related symptoms was similar between treatment arms (p = ns). HRQL was significantly impacted by decreased libido, weight gain, feeling bloated, breast sensitivity, mood swings, irritability, join pain, nausea and bother by treatment side effects (p &amp;lt; 0.001). 248 participants were off-treatment by 4.1 yrs. A Cox model adjusted for other symptoms, demographic and disease characteristics indicated the hazard of discontinuing treatment early increased by 29% when the severity of being bothered by side effects at baseline increased by 1 point (HR=1.29, 95% CI:1.09−1.54). At baseline, patients with prior treatments or taking more medicines reported more bother by side effects (p &amp;lt; 0.001). Increased joint pain in the first 3 months after treatment was also associated with increased hazard of discontinuing treatment early (HR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.01−1.28). Conclusions: PRO assessment indicated comparable symptom burden and HRQL among postmenopausal women randomized to anastrozole or exemestane, with increasing symptom burden over time negatively affecting HRQL. Patients who 1) initiate an aromatase inhibitor (AI) with bother by side effects from prior treatment and concomitant medications and 2) experience increased joint pain during the first 3 months of AI therapy are at risk for early discontinuation of AI therapy. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr S6-2.