A Study to Investigate Atezolizumab and Chemotherapy Compared With Placebo and Chemotherapy in the Neoadjuvant Setting in Participants With Early Stage Triple Negative Breast Cancer (IMpassion031)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03197935 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : June 23, 2017
Results First Posted : June 2, 2021
Last Update Posted : November 17, 2022
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Triple-negative Breast Cancer | Drug: Atezolizumab (MPDL3280A), an engineered anti-PDL1 antibody Drug: Placebo Drug: Nab-paclitaxel Drug: Doxorubicin Drug: Cyclophosphamide Drug: Filgrastim Drug: Pegfilgrastim | Phase 3 |
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 333 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Double (Participant, Investigator) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | A Phase III Randomized Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Atezolizumab (Anti-PD-L1 Antibody) in Combination With Neoadjuvant Anthracycline/Nab-Paclitaxel-Based Chemotherapy Compared With Placebo and Chemotherapy in Patients With Primary Invasive Triple-Negative Breast Cancer |
Actual Study Start Date : | July 24, 2017 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | April 3, 2020 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | September 26, 2022 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Experimental: Atezolizumab and Chemotherapy
Participants received atezolizumab (840 milligrams [mg]) via intravenous (IV) infusion every 2 weeks in combination with nab-paclitaxel (125 milligrams per square meter [mg/m^2]) via IV infusion every week for 12 weeks, followed by atezolizumab (840 mg) every 2 weeks in combination with doxorubicin (60 mg/m^2) and cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m^2) every 2 weeks via IV infusions with filgrastim/pegfilgrastim support for 4 doses. Participants continued to receive unblinded atezolizumab post-surgery at a fixed dose of 1200 mg by IV infusion every 3 weeks for 11 doses, for a total of approximately 12 months of atezolizumab therapy.
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Drug: Atezolizumab (MPDL3280A), an engineered anti-PDL1 antibody
Atezolizumab was administered as per schedule described in respective arm. Drug: Nab-paclitaxel Nab-paclitaxel was administered as per schedule described in the arms. Drug: Doxorubicin Doxorubicin was administered as per schedule described in the arms. Drug: Cyclophosphamide Cyclophosphamide was administered as per schedule described in the arms. Drug: Filgrastim Filgrastim was administered according to local prescribing information as determined by the Investigator for 4 doses after completion of initial 12 weeks. Drug: Pegfilgrastim Pegfilgrastim was administered according to local prescribing information as determined by the Investigator for 4 doses after completion of initial 12 weeks. |
Placebo Comparator: Placebo and Chemotherapy
Participants received placebo matched to atezolizumab via IV infusion every 2 weeks in combination with nab-paclitaxel (125 mg/m^2) via IV infusion every week for 12 weeks, followed by placebo matched to atezolizumab every 2 weeks in combination with doxorubicin (60 mg/m^2) and cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m^2) every 2 weeks via IV infusions with filgrastim/pegfilgrastim support for 4 doses. Participants will be unblinded post-surgery and will continue to be followed.
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Drug: Placebo
Placebo matched to atezolizumab was administered as per schedule described in respective arm. Drug: Nab-paclitaxel Nab-paclitaxel was administered as per schedule described in the arms. Drug: Doxorubicin Doxorubicin was administered as per schedule described in the arms. Drug: Cyclophosphamide Cyclophosphamide was administered as per schedule described in the arms. Drug: Filgrastim Filgrastim was administered according to local prescribing information as determined by the Investigator for 4 doses after completion of initial 12 weeks. Drug: Pegfilgrastim Pegfilgrastim was administered according to local prescribing information as determined by the Investigator for 4 doses after completion of initial 12 weeks. |
- Number of Participants With Pathologic Complete Response (pCR) Using American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging System in ITT Population [ Time Frame: After neoadjuvant study treatment and surgery, up to data cut-off on 03 ApriI 2020 ]Number of participants with Pathologic Complete Response (pCR) Using American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging System in ITT Population. pCR is defined as eradication of invasive tumor from both breast and lymph nodes (ypT0/is ypN0). pCR was evaluated for each participant after neoadjuvant study treatment and surgery. Participants whose pCR assessment was missing will be counted as not achieving a pCR.
- Number of Participants With pCR in Subpopulation With PD-L1-Positive Tumor Status (Tumor-infiltrating Immune Cell [IC] 1/2/3) Using AJCC Staging System [ Time Frame: After neoadjuvant study treatment and surgery, up to data cut-off on 03 ApriI 2020 ]Number of participants with Pathologic Complete Response (pCR) Using American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging System in the subpopulation with programmed death-ligand1 (PD-L1)-positive tumor status(tumor-infiltrating immune cell [IC] IC1/2/3) . pCR is defined as eradication of invasive tumor from both breast and lymph nodes (ypT0/is ypN0). pCR was evaluated for each participant after neoadjuvant study treatment and surgery. Participants whose pCR assessment was missing will be counted as not achieving a pCR.
- Event-Free Survival (EFS) in All Participants [ Time Frame: Baseline up to approximately 63 months ]Event-free survival (EFS) defined as the time from randomization until documented disease recurrence, progression, or death from any cause in all participants. EFS events covered under "disease recurrence" will include local, regional, or distant recurrence and contralateral breast cancer. Ipsilateral or contralateral in situ disease and second primary non-breast cancers will not be counted as EFS events.
- Event-Free Survival (EFS) in Subpopulation With PD-L1-Postive Tumor Status [ Time Frame: Baseline up to approximately 63 months ]Event-free survival (EFS) defined as the time from randomization until documented disease recurrence, progression, or death from any cause in the subpopulation with PD-L1-positive tumor status. EFS events covered under "disease recurrence" will include local, regional, or distant recurrence and contralateral breast cancer. Ipsilateral or contralateral in situ disease and second primary non-breast cancers will not be counted as EFS events.
- Disease-Free Survival (DFS) in All Participants Who Undergo Surgery [ Time Frame: Baseline up to approximately 63 months ]Disease-free survival (DFS) defined as the time from surgery until documented disease recurrence or death from any cause in all patients (ITT population) who undergo surgery.
- Disease-Free Survival (DFS) in Subpopulation of Participants With PD-L1-Positive Tumor Status Who Undergo Surgery [ Time Frame: Baseline up to approximately 63 months ]Disease-free survival (DFS) defined as the time from surgery until documented disease recurrence or death from any cause in the subpopulation of participants with PD-L1-positive tumor status who undergo surgery.
- Overall Survival (OS) in All Participants [ Time Frame: Baseline up to approximately 63 months ]Overall survival (OS) defined as the time from randomization to the date of death from any cause in all participants.
- Overall Survival (OS) in Subpopulation With PD-L1-Positive Tumor Status [ Time Frame: Baseline up to approximately 63 months ]Overall survival (OS) defined as the time from randomization to the date of death from any cause in the subpopulation with PD-L1-positive tumor status.
- Mean Scores for Function (Role/Physical) and GHS/HRQoL by Cycle and Between Treatment Arms as Assessed by the EORTC QLQ-C30 [ Time Frame: Baseline (Cycle 1 Day 1), on Day 1 of every cycle (C) thereafter (C=28 days from C1 to 5, and 21 days from C6 to 16), at Study Drug Completion/Early Discontinuation, Survival Follow-Up Months 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 (up to approximately 63 months) ]Mean score in function (role, physical) and global health status(GHS)/ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by cycle and between treatment arms as assessed by the functional and HRQoL scales of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core30(QLQ C30). The EORTC QLQ-C30 includes five functional scales; a global health status (GHS)/quality of life (QoL) scale; and items measuring fatigue, pain, nausea and vomiting, dyspnea, appetite loss, sleep disturbance, constipation, diarrhea, and financial difficulties. The score range for each scale and single-item measure is 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate a higher response level (i.e., better functioning, better QoL, worse symptoms).
- Mean Change From Baseline Scores for Function (Role, Physical) and GHS/HRQoL by Cycle and Between Treatment Arms as Assessed by the EORTC QLQ-C30 [ Time Frame: Baseline (Cycle 1 Day 1), and on Day 1 of every cycle (C) thereafter (C length=28 days from C1 to 5, and 21 days from C6 to 16), at Study Drug Completion/Early Termination, Survival Follow-Up Months 12, 18, and 24 (up to approximately 63 months) ]Mean change from baseline score in function (role, physical) andglobal health status(GHS)/ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by cycle and between treatment arms as assessed by the functional and HRQoL scales of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core30(QLQ C30). Note: Cycle=C; Day=D.
- Percentage of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs) [ Time Frame: Baseline up to approximately 63 months ]Percentage of participants with adverse events.
- Minimum Observed Serum Atezolizumab Concentration (Cmin) [ Time Frame: Pre-dose on Day 1 of Cycles 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 (cycle length = 28 days from Cycles 1 to 5, and 21 days from Cycles 6 to 16) ]Minimum observed serum atezolizumab concentration.
- Maximum Observed Serum Atezolizumab Concentration (Cmax) [ Time Frame: Day 1 of Cycle 1 post dose (cycle length = 28 days) ]Maximum observed atezolizumab concentration (Cmax).
- Percentage of Participants With Anti-Drug Antibodies (ADAs) to Atezolizumab [ Time Frame: Baseline up to approximately 20 months ]Percentage of participants with anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) to atezolizumab.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion criteria:
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1
- Histologically documented TNBC (negative human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [HER2], estrogen receptor [ER], and progesterone receptor [PgR] status)
- Confirmed tumor programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) evaluation as documented through central testing of a representative tumor tissue specimen
- Primary breast tumor size of greater than (>) 2 centimeters (cm) by at least one radiographic or clinical measurement
- Stage at presentation: cT2-cT4, cN0-cN3, cM0
- Participant agreement to undergo appropriate surgical management including axillary lymph node surgery and partial or total mastectomy after completion of neoadjuvant treatment
- Baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) greater than or equal to (>=) 53 percent (%) measured by echocardiogram (ECHO) or multiple-gated acquisition (MUGA) scans
- Adequate hematologic and end-organ function
- Representative formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor specimen in paraffin blocks (preferred) or at least 20 unstained slides, with an associated pathology report documenting ER, PgR, and HER2 negativity
- For women of childbearing potential: agreement to remain abstinent (refrain from heterosexual intercourse) or use contraceptive methods, and agreement to refrain from donating eggs
- For men: agreement to remain abstinent (refrain from heterosexual intercourse) or use contraceptive measures and agreement to refrain from donating sperm
- Women who are not postmenopausal or have undergone a sterilization procedure must have a negative serum pregnancy test result within 14 days prior to initiation of study drug
Exclusion criteria:
- Prior history of invasive breast cancer
- Stage 4 (metastatic) breast cancer
- Prior systemic therapy for treatment and prevention of breast cancer
- Previous therapy with anthracyclines or taxanes for any malignancy
- History of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), except for participants treated exclusively with mastectomy >5 years prior to diagnosis of current breast cancer
- History of pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), except for participants surgically managed >5 years prior to diagnosis of current breast cancer
- Bilateral breast cancer
- Undergone incisional and/or excisional biopsy of primary tumor and/or axillary lymph nodes
- Axillary lymph node dissection prior to initiation of neoadjuvant therapy
- History of other malignancy within 5 years prior to screening, with the exception of those with a negligible risk of metastasis or death
- Cardiopulmonary dysfunction
- History of severe allergic, anaphylactic, or other hypersensitivity reactions to chimeric or humanized antibodies or fusion proteins
- Known hypersensitivity to biopharmaceuticals produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells
- Known allergy or hypersensitivity to the components of the formulations of atezolizumab, nab-paclitaxel, cyclophosphamide, or doxorubicin, filgrastim or pegfilgrastim
- Active or history of autoimmune disease or immune deficiency diseases except history of autoimmune-related hypothyroidism, controlled Type 1 diabetes mellitus, and dermatologic manifestations of eczema, psoriasis, lichen simplex chronicus, or vitiligo (e.g., participants with psoriatic arthritis are excluded)
- History of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, organizing pneumonia, drug-induced pneumonitis, idiopathic pneumonitis, or evidence of active pneumonitis on screening chest computed tomography (CT) scan. History of radiation pneumonitis in the radiation field (fibrosis) is permitted
- Positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test at screening
- Active hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infection
- Active tuberculosis
- Severe infections within 4 weeks prior to initiation of study treatment, including but not limited to hospitalization for complications of infection, bacteremia, or severe pneumonia
- Treatment with therapeutic oral or IV antibiotics within 2 weeks prior to initiation of study treatment, except prophylactic antibiotics
- Major surgical procedure within 4 weeks prior to initiation of study treatment or anticipation of need for a major surgical procedure during the course of the study
- Prior allogeneic stem cell or solid organ transplantation
- Administration of a live attenuated vaccine within 4 weeks prior to initiation of study treatment or anticipation of need for such a vaccine during the study
- Any other disease, metabolic dysfunction, physical examination finding, or clinical laboratory finding giving reasonable suspicion of a disease or condition that contraindicates the use of an investigational drug or that may affect the interpretation of the results or render the participant at high risk from treatment complications
- Prior treatment with cluster of differentiation 137 (CD137) agonists or immune checkpoint-blockade therapies, including anti-cluster of differentiation 40 (anti-CD40), anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (anti-CTLA-4), anti-programmed death-1 (anti-PD-1), and anti-PD-L1 therapeutic antibodies
- Treatment with systemic immunostimulatory agents within 4 weeks or 5 half-lives of the drug, whichever is longer, prior to initiation of study treatment
- Treatment with systemic immunosuppressive medications within 2 weeks prior to initiation of study treatment or anticipation of need for systemic immunosuppressive medications during the study
- History of cerebrovascular accident within 12 months prior to randomization
- Pregnant or lactating, or intending to become pregnant during the study

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03197935

Study Director: | Clinical Trials | Hoffmann-La Roche |
Documents provided by Hoffmann-La Roche:
Responsible Party: | Hoffmann-La Roche |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT03197935 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
WO39392 2016-004734-22 ( EudraCT Number ) |
First Posted: | June 23, 2017 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | June 2, 2021 |
Last Update Posted: | November 17, 2022 |
Last Verified: | November 2022 |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | Yes |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
Breast Neoplasms Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Neoplasms Breast Diseases Skin Diseases Paclitaxel Cyclophosphamide Doxorubicin Atezolizumab Antibodies Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic Antineoplastic Agents Tubulin Modulators Antimitotic Agents |
Mitosis Modulators Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action Immunosuppressive Agents Immunologic Factors Physiological Effects of Drugs Antirheumatic Agents Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating Alkylating Agents Myeloablative Agonists Antibiotics, Antineoplastic Topoisomerase II Inhibitors Topoisomerase Inhibitors Enzyme Inhibitors Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological |