This is for US residents only.

 

Why to test?

PIK3CA is the most commonly mutated gene in HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer1

~40% of patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer have a PIK3CA mutation
 
Knowledge of PIK3CA mutation status can inform up-front treatment planning for appropriate patients
 

Patients with a PIK3CA mutation face a worse prognosis2

 

The PI3K pathway

PIK3CA mutations may lead to hyperactivation of PI3Kα, a key upstream component of the PI3K pathway.3,4

PI3K Pathway
Hyperactive signaling in the PI3K pathway has been implicated in processes that may contribute to the progression of breast cancer

 

When to test?

Test for PIK3CA mutations at initial MBC diagnosis if tumor is HR+/HER2-*

 

*Following progression on or after an endocrine-based regimen.

Assess for PIK3CA mutation as part of the initial MBC workup if the patient has recurrent/Stage IV (M1) disease, the tumor is HR+/HER2- and alpelisib plus fulvestrant is being considered following progression on or after an endocrine based regimen

PIQRAY is indicated for postmenopausal women, and men, with HR+/HER2-, PIK3CA-mutated, advanced or metastatic breast cancer (aBC or MBC), in combination with fulvestrant following progression on or after an endocrine-based regimen.

 

MBC, metastatic breast cancer.

*Following progression on or after an endocrine-based regimen.
If liquid biopsy is negative, tumor tissue testing is recommended.
The safety of alpelisib in patients with type 1 or uncontrolled type 2 diabetes has not been established.
§Unless a recurrence or unmanageable toxicity occurs, per HR+/HER2- MBC American Society of Clinical Oncology® Guideline Update 2021.

NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use, or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.

Adapted with permission from the NCCN Guidelines® for Breast Cancer V.3.2022. © 2022 National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. All rights reserved. The NCCN Guidelines and illustrations herein may not be reproduced in any form for any purpose without the express written permission of NCCN. To view the most recent and complete version of the NCCN Guidelines, go online to NCCN.org. The NCCN Guidelines are a work in progress that may be refined as often as new significant data becomes available.

 
If PIK3CA mutation is not detected in plasma, retest the patient using tumor tissue

 

How to test?

PIK3CA mutations can be detected in tissue or plasma specimens3

  • PIK3CA mutations are generally stable; therefore, archival specimens and recent or new biopsies can be tested8

  • If no mutation is detected in a plasma specimen, retest the patient using tumor tissue3

  • Primary or metastatic breast cancer tissue may be tested8

 

How are PIK3CA mutations identified?

A companion diagnostic can be used to identify PIK3CA mutations. PIK3CA mutations are somatic mutations that occur along multiple domains.5

  • The PIK3CA companion diagnostic tests for PIQRAY include 11 different mutations in the PIK3CA gene as part of the FDA-approved indication3,9-11

 

PIK3CA gene-functional domains

 

Negative results for PIK3CA mutation using plasma require further investigation

Multiple factors may contribute to false negatives in plasma testing

 

Clinical relevance

Learn about the first and only therapy in combination with fulvestrant, specifically for postmenopausal women, and men, with HR+/HER2-, PIK3CA-mutated, advanced or metastatic breast cancer following progression on or after an endocrine-based regimen.3

PIQRAY logo

Indication

PIQRAY® (alpelisib) tablets is indicated in combination with fulvestrant for the treatment of postmenopausal women, and men, with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, PIK3CA-mutated, advanced or metastatic breast cancer as detected by an FDA-approved test following progression on or after an endocrine-based regimen.

Important Safety Information
PIQRAY is contraindicated in patients with severe hypersensitivity to it or any of its components.

Severe Hypersensitivity: Severe hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock, can occur in patients treated with PIQRAY. Severe hypersensitivity reactions were manifested by symptoms including, but not limited to, dyspnea, flushing, rash, fever, or tachycardia. The incidence of grade 3 and 4 hypersensitivity reactions was 0.7%. Angioedema has been reported in the postmarketing setting in patients treated with PIQRAY. Advise patients of the signs and symptoms of severe hypersensitivity reactions. Permanently discontinue PIQRAY in the event of severe hypersensitivity.

Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCARs): SCARs, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), erythema multiforme (EM), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) can occur in patients treated with PIQRAY. In the SOLAR-1 study, SJS and EM were reported in 0.4% and 1.1% of patients, respectively. DRESS was reported in patients in the postmarketing setting. If signs or symptoms of SCARs occur, interrupt PIQRAY until the etiology of the reaction has been determined. Consultation with a dermatologist is recommended.

If a SCAR is confirmed, permanently discontinue PIQRAY. Do not reintroduce PIQRAY in patients who have experienced previous SCARs during PIQRAY treatment. If it is not confirmed, PIQRAY may require dose modifications, topical corticosteroids, or oral antihistamine treatment.

Advise patients of the signs and symptoms of SCARs (eg, a prodrome of fever, flu-like symptoms, mucosal lesions, progressive skin rash, or lymphadenopathy).

Hyperglycemia: Severe hyperglycemia, in some cases associated with hyperglycemic hyperosmolar non-ketotic syndrome (HHNKS) or ketoacidosis has occurred in patients treated with PIQRAY. Fatal cases of ketoacidosis have occurred in the postmarketing setting.

Hyperglycemia was reported in 65% of patients treated with PIQRAY. Grade 3 (FPG >250-500 mg/dL) and grade 4 (FPG >500 mg/dL) hyperglycemia were reported in 33% and 3.9% of patients, respectively. Ketoacidosis was reported in 0.7% of patients (n=2) treated with PIQRAY.

Before initiating treatment with PIQRAY, test fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1c, and optimize blood glucose. After initiating treatment, monitor fasting glucose (FPG or fasting blood glucose) at least once every week for the first 2 weeks, then at least once every 4 weeks, and as clinically indicated. Monitor HbA1c every 3 months and as clinically indicated. Monitor fasting glucose more frequently for the first few weeks during treatment in patients with risk factors for hyperglycemia such as obesity (BMI ≥30), elevated FPG, HbA1c at the upper limit of normal or above, use of concomitant systemic corticosteroids, or age ≥75.

If a patient experiences hyperglycemia after initiating treatment, monitor fasting glucose as clinically indicated, and at least twice weekly until fasting glucose decreases to normal levels. During treatment with anti-hyperglycemic medication, continue monitoring fasting glucose at least once a week for 8 weeks, followed by once every 2 weeks and as clinically indicated. Consider consultation with a health care practitioner with expertise in the treatment of hyperglycemia and counsel patients on lifestyle changes.

The safety of PIQRAY in patients with type 1 and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes has not been established as these patients were excluded from the SOLAR-1 trial. Patients with a medical history of controlled type 2 diabetes were included. Patients with a history of diabetes mellitus may require intensified hyperglycemic treatment. Closely monitor patients with diabetes.

Based on the severity of the hyperglycemia, PIQRAY may require dose interruption, reduction, or discontinuation. Advise patients of the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia (eg, excessive thirst, urinating more often than usual or higher amount of urine than usual, or increased appetite with weight loss).

Pneumonitis: Severe pneumonitis, including acute interstitial pneumonitis and interstitial lung disease, can occur in patients treated with PIQRAY. Pneumonitis was reported in 1.8% of patients treated with PIQRAY.

In patients who have new or worsening respiratory symptoms or are suspected to have developed pneumonitis, interrupt PIQRAY immediately and evaluate the patient for pneumonitis. Consider a diagnosis of noninfectious pneumonitis in patients presenting with nonspecific respiratory signs and symptoms such as hypoxia, cough, dyspnea, or interstitial infiltrates on radiologic exams and in whom infectious, neoplastic, and other causes have been excluded by means of appropriate investigations.

Permanently discontinue PIQRAY in all patients with confirmed pneumonitis. Advise patients to immediately report new or worsening respiratory symptoms.

Diarrhea or Colitis: Severe diarrhea, resulting in dehydration and in some cases in acute kidney injury, can occur in patients treated with PIQRAY. Most patients (58%) experienced diarrhea during treatment with PIQRAY. Grade 3 diarrhea occurred in 7% (n=19) of patients. Colitis has been reported in the postmarketing setting in patients treated with PIQRAY. Monitor patients for diarrhea and additional symptoms of colitis, such as abdominal pain and mucus, or blood in the stool. Based on the severity of the diarrhea or colitis, PIQRAY may require dose interruption, reduction, or discontinuation. Advise patients to start antidiarrheal treatment, increase oral fluids, and notify their health care provider if diarrhea occurs while taking PIQRAY. For patients with colitis, additional treatment, such as enteric-acting and/or systemic steroids, may be required.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on findings in animals and its mechanism of action, PIQRAY can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with PIQRAY and for 1 week after the last dose. Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use condoms and effective contraception during treatment with PIQRAY and for 1 week after the last dose. Refer to the full Prescribing Information of fulvestrant for pregnancy and contraception information.

The most common adverse reactions (all grades, incidence ≥20%) were diarrhea (58%), rash (52%), nausea (45%), fatigue (42%), decreased appetite (36%), stomatitis (30%), vomiting (27%), weight decreased (27%), and alopecia (20%). The most common grade 3/4 adverse reactions (incidence ≥2%) were rash (20%), diarrhea (7%), fatigue (5%), weight decreased (3.9%), nausea (2.5%), stomatitis (2.5%), and mucosal inflammation (2.1%).

The most common laboratory abnormalities (all grades, incidence ≥20%) were glucose increased (79%), creatinine increased (67%), lymphocyte count decreased (52%), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) increased (52%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased (44%), hemoglobin decreased (42%), lipase increased (42%), calcium decreased (27%), glucose decreased (26%), and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) prolonged (21%). The most common grade 3/4 laboratory abnormalities (incidence ≥5%) were glucose increased (39%), GGT increased (11%), lymphocyte count decreased (8%), lipase increased (7%), and potassium decreased (6%).

Please click here for full Prescribing Information.

References: 1. The Cancer Genome Atlas Network. Comprehensive molecular portraits of human breast tumours. Nature. 2012;490(7418):61-70. 2. Mosele F, Stefanovska B, Lusque A, et al. Outcome and molecular landscape of patients with PIK3CA-mutated metastatic breast cancer. Ann Oncol. 2020;31(3):377-386. 3. Piqray [prescribing information]. East Hanover, NJ: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; 2022. 4. Chalhoub C, Baker SJ. PTEN and the PI3-kinase pathway in cancer. Annu Rev Pathol. 2009;4:127-150. 5. Wu G, Xing M, Mambo E, et al. Somatic mutation and gain of copy number of PIK3CA in human breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res. 2005;7(5):R609-R616. 6. Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Breast Cancer V.3.2022. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2022. All rights reserved. Accessed May 9, 2022. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org. 7. Burstein HJ, Somerfield MR, Barton DL, et al. Endocrine treatment and targeted therapy for hormone receptor–positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative metastatic breast cancer: ASCO guideline update. J Clin Oncol. 2021;39(35):3959-3977. 8. Data on file. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; 2018. 9. therascreen® PIK3CA RGQ PCR Kit Instructions for Use. Germantown, MD: QIAGEN; May 2019. 10. FoundationOne®CDx technical information. Foundation Medicine, Inc. 11. FoundationOne®Liquid CDx technical information. Foundation Medicine, Inc. 12. Bettegowda C, Sausen M, Leary RJ, et al. Detection of circulating tumor DNA in early- and late-stage human malignancies. 2014;6(224). Sci Transl Med. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3007094. 13. Carraro P, Plebani M. Errors in stat laboratory: types and frequencies 10 years later. Clin Chem. 2007;53(7):1338-1342.

 

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