Abstract

Background

The pivotal EMBRACE study of eribulin in MBC reported a median duration of eribulin treatment of 3.9 months (m) and median overall survival (OS) of 13.1 months. In March 2016, the Scottish National Health Service approved eribulin for use in patients with MBC and progressive disease (PD) after >2 cytotoxic regimens for advanced disease. We set out to determine whether the experience in a cohort of patients in the West of Scotland was consistent with that seen in the EMBRACE trial population.  

Method

Retrospective review of electronic prescribing records identified all patients prescribed eribulin from March 2016 to March 2018. We collected patient demographics, as well as tumour and treatment information and outcome.  

Results

Ninety-six patients received at least one dose of eribulin. Median age was 56. 77% were oestrogen receptor positive (ER+), 11% were HER2+ and 18% were triple negative. Median number of prior cytotoxic regimens in the metastatic setting was three. Performance Status (PS) was 0/1/2/3 in 32%/44%/21%/3%. Median number of completed eribulin cycles was four. Dose reduction was required in 22%. At analysis 11 patients were still on treatment.

Median duration of eribulin treatment and median OS were 2.99m (95% CI: 2.17-3.81) and 8.84m (95% CI: 5.85-11.8) respectively. Duration of treatment in patients with PS 0 was significantly longer than PS 1 (4.37m v 2.30m, p=0.002) and PS 2 (4.37m v 1.34m, p<0.001), while ER+ was significantly longer versus ER- (3.45m v 1.38m, p=0.01). OS for PS 0 was not significantly longer than PS 1 (12.65m v 10.51m, p=0.11), but was significantly longer than for PS 2 (12.6m v 4.17m, p<0.001).

Conclusion

In our population, both the median duration of eribulin treatment and overall survival were less than reported in EMBRACE. This is likely due to real-world use of eribulin in patients with poorer PS.