Newswise — Orlando, FL – July 26, 2013 – MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando is participating in a clinical trial to evaluate a new oral medication (BKM120) in combination with Fulvestrant to treat locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer that is hormone receptor positive and HER2 Neu negative and that has progressed on an aromatase inhibitor. BKM120 belongs to a new class of drugs called PI3K inhibitors, which in combination with traditional treatments may be able to slow or stop cancer growth.

BKM120 and Fulvestrant for Treating Postmenopausal Patients with Estrogen Receptor-Positive Stage IV Breast Cancer

Also known as the Belle-2 clinical trial, this study will determine if BKM120 in combination with Fulvestrant helps breast cancer patients live longer and prevent their disease from spreading. PI3K is an enzyme that plays a central role in the development of numerous cancers. By blocking this enzyme, BKM120 may enhance the effectiveness of standard treatment with Fulvestrant. Currently, Fulvestrant is the drug most post-menopausal patients with hormone receptor positive breast cancer receive when their disease progresses.

“The Belle-2 trial is exploring a new drug that blocks an important enzyme critical for cancer cells,” said Rebecca Moroose, MD, Medical Oncologist, MD Anderson – Orlando. “Our hope is that this study will shed light on additional strategies to fight breast cancer, delay the progression of the disease and prolong survival.”

At present, there are limited treatment options specifically approved for treatment of breast cancer after the cancer has reoccurred or progressed on an aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are a class of drugs used to treat breast and ovarian cancers in postmenopausal women. As breast and ovarian cancers require estrogen to grow, AIs are taken to either block the production of estrogen or block the action of estrogen on receptors. The development of this drug BKM120 may be beneficial in increasing the effectiveness of hormone blocking medications in certain patients.

MD Anderson – Orlando is the only hospital in Central Florida and one of only five in the state to offer this clinical trial to breast cancer patients.

For more information on this clinical trial contact MD Anderson – Orlando at 321-841-1620 or visit http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01339442?term=bkm+120&rank=6.

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MD Anderson Cancer Center OrlandoMD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando, part of Orlando Health, is affiliated with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked MD Anderson Cancer Center as the top cancer treatment center in the U.S. and has ranked it as one of the top two cancer centers for the past 13 years. Orlando Health, a 1,882-bed community-owned, Florida not-for-profit organization established in 1918, annually serves nearly 2 million Central Florida residents and more than 4,500 international patients. More information is available at www.mdacco.com.