AUTHOR=Modi Natansh D. , Tan Jin Quan Eugene , Rowland Andrew , Koczwara Bogda , Kichenadasse Ganessan , McKinnon Ross A. , Wiese Michael D. , Sorich Michael J. , Hopkins Ashley M. 

TITLE=The Influence of Pre-Existing Beta-Blockers Use on Survival Outcomes in HER2 Positive Advanced Breast Cancer: Pooled Analysis of Clinical Trial Data

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2020.01130

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2020.01130

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Introduction:</bold> Beta-blockers (BB) are commonly used to manage cardiovascular disease and may have benefits in controlling complications of anti-HER2 therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the association of pre-existing BB use with survival outcomes in patients initiating anti-HER2 therapy for advanced breast cancer (ABC).</p><p><bold>Materials and Methods:</bold> Data from clinical trials EMILIA, TH3RESA, MARIANNE, and CLEOPATRA was pooled. Cox proportional analysis was used to assess the association between pre-existing BB use with survival outcomes in patients initiating anti-HER2 therapies.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Of the 2,777 patients with HER2 positive ABC, 266 were using a BB at the time of anti-HER2 therapy initiation. BB use was associated with worse overall survival (OS) (adjusted HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.04–1.55). Sensitivity analysis in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) also indicated that BB use was associated with worse OS (1.29, 1.02–1.63).</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> In large high-quality data, BB use at the time of anti-HER2 therapy initiation for ABC was independently associated with worse OS, regardless of CVD status. The finding is contrary to pre-study hypotheses and findings in other BC subtypes. Future research should aim to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of BBs on specific BC subtypes, cancer types, and cancer treatments.</p>