Best of the Best Oral Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2020

Real-world uptake of bone modifying agents in advanced breast cancer with bone metastases – prospective data from a multi-site Australian registry. (#34)

Vanessa Wong 1 2 , Richard De Boer 3 4 , Angelyn Anton 1 5 , Laeeq Malik 6 , Sally Greenberg 7 , Belinda Yeo 8 , Louise Wigston (Nott) 9 , Ian M Collins 10 , Javier Torres 11 , Frances Barnett 12 , Peter Gibbs 1 7 , Sheau Wen Lok 1 3
  1. Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC
  2. Ballarat Health Services, Ballarat, VIC
  3. Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC
  4. St Vincent's Private Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC
  5. Eastern Health, Box Hill, VIC
  6. Canberra Hospital, Garran, ACT
  7. Western Health, Footscray, VIC
  8. Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC
  9. Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS
  10. South West Healthcare, Warrnambool, VIC
  11. Goulburn Valley Health, Shepparton, VIC
  12. The Northern Hospital, Epping, VIC

Background and Aim
International practice guidelines recommend use of bone-modifying agents (BMA) in advanced breast cancer (ABC) patients with bone metastases, to reduce frequency of bone metastases and delay onset of skeletal related events. However, delivery of BMA in routine clinical practice, including timing of initiation, frequency of administration and monitoring of side effects is largely unknown. To improve understanding of BMA prescribing patterns, we aim to describe real-world practice of Australian clinicians.

Methods
Prospective data from February 2015 to July 2020 on BMA delivery to ABC patients with bone metastases, was analysed from TABITHA, a multi-site Australian HER2+ ABC registry.

Results
Of 333 HER2+ ABC patients, 183 (55%) had bone metastases. Mean age was 58.1 [range 32-87 years], 125 (68%) were oestrogen-receptor positive. 136/183 (74%) patients received BMA at any line. 119/136 (88%) commenced BMA in first-line setting. 29/136 (21%) patients received bisphosphonates with 2 (7%) receiving monthly dosing. 95/136 (70%) patients received denosumab with 28 (30%) receiving monthly dosing.  Additional documented bone health interventions including exercise (10/136, 7%), vitamin D (13/136, 10%) and calcium (60/136, 44%) were reported.  BMA associated hypocalcaemia occurred in 9/136 (7%), osteonecrosis of the jaw in 3/136 (2%). Of the 47 (26%) patients who did not receive BMA, 17 included clinician rationale. The most common reason reported was low volume disease in 6 patients.

Conclusion
Whilst denosumab appears to be favoured by clinicians over bisphosphonates, and the majority of patients started treatment in first line setting, one-quarter of ABC patients with bone metastases do not receive a BMA. Despite initial landmark trials reporting monthly administration of BMA, a minority of patients remain on this frequency. BMA associated complications remain low, consistent with trial data. Further studies are warranted to investigate clinicians’ rationale on BMA initiation and selection.