Entinostat breakthrough status

http://www.onclive.com/web-exclusives/Breakthrough-Designation-Granted-to-Entinostat-for-Advanced-Breast-Cancer

Quote:
In a March 2012 follow-up analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the median PFS was 4.3 months versus 2.3 months, for entinostat and placebo, respectively (HR = 0.73; P = 0.06). In patients resistant to NSAIs (n = 45), the median PFS was 3.72 months compared to 1.78 months, in favor of the combination (HR = 0.47). - 

The median overall survival in the combination arm was 28.1 months compared to 19.8 months in the exemestane arm (HR = 0.59; P = 0.036). In a subset of patients (n = 49) with increased protein acetylation, the median PFS with the combination was 8.5 months compared with 2.8 months for patients without acetylation (HR = 0.32). 


My comment: Results are not terribly impressive.  But if this could be comboed with other targetted drug then this could be good.   

The key is the test for "protein acetylation"  (49/130).   The other patients might not have benefitted at all.   While the patients with increased protein acetylation (49/130)  seem to benefit at a much higher rate.



In other news:   Breast Cancer Index (BCI) Gene fingerprint identifies subset of HR+ EBC women at risk for 5+yr recurrence.   Lancet Oncology:
http://www.newsday.com/news/health/researchers-focus-on-likelihood-of-breast-cancer-recurrence-1.6056863