FDA Warns That Tecentriq and Paclitaxel Combination Doesn’t Work for Breast Cancer

The FDA warned that Roche’s Tecentriq (atezolizumab) and paclitaxel did not work as a treatment for previously untreated inoperable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC).

In a phase 3 trial, the combination did not significantly reduce the risk of cancer progression and death compared with a placebo and paclitaxel in mTNBC patients whose tumors express the PD-LI protein. 

Tecentriq is currently approved with a different form of paclitaxel, Abraxane (paclitaxel protein-bound), for adults with mTNBC whose tumors express the PD-L1 protein. The FDA advised healthcare providers not to use paclitaxel in place of Abraxane (paclitaxel protein-bound).