Clinical Research Directory

Tamoxifen Citrate, Letrozole, Anastrozole, or Exemestane With or Without Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Invasive RxPONDER Breast Cancer

This randomized phase III clinical trial studies how well tamoxifen citrate, anastrozole, letrozole, or exemestane with or without chemotherapy work in treating patients with breast cancer that has spread from where it began in the breast to surrounding normal tissue (invasive). Estrogen can cause the growth of breast cancer cells. Hormone therapy, using tamoxifen citrate, may fight breast cancer by blocking the use of estrogen by the tumor cells. Aromatase inhibitors, such as anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane, may fight breast cancer by lowering the amount of estrogen the body makes. Drugs used in chemotherapy work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. It is not yet known whether giving tamoxifen citrate, anastrozole, letrozole, or exemestane is more effective with combination chemotherapy in treating patients with breast cancer.

Entinostat, Nivolumab, and Ipilimumab in Treating Patients With Solid Tumors That Are Metastatic or Cannot Be Removed by Surgery or Locally Advanced or Metastatic HER2-Negative Breast Cancer

This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of entinostat and nivolumab when given together with ipilimumab in treating patients with solid tumors that have spread to other places in the body and usually cannot be cured or controlled with treatment (metastatic) or that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable) or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer that has spread from where it started to nearby tissue or lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Entinostat is in a class of drugs called histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. It may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth (locally advanced/metastatic). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab and ipilimumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving entinostat and nivolumab together with ipilimumab may work better in treating in patients with solid tumors.

Temporal Immunologic Changes With Hypofractionated Radiation-Induced DNA Damage in Breast Cancer

This study assesses changes to the immune cells following hypofractionated radiation-induced DNA damage in breast cancer patients. Radiation therapy may cause immune cells to enter tumors and target cancer cells. The goal of this study is to measure the change in the level of immune cells in the tumor before and after radiation therapy.

National Cancer Institute "Cancer Moonshot Biobank"

This trial collects multiple tissue and blood samples, along with medical information, from cancer patients. The "Cancer Moonshot Biobank" is a longitudinal study. This means it collects and stores samples and information over time, throughout the course of a patient's cancer treatment. By looking at samples and information collected from the same people over time, researchers hope to better understand how cancer changes over time and over the course of medical treatments.

Testing the Safety of the Combination of Anti-Cancer Drugs CX-5461 (Pidnarulex) and Trastuzumab Deruxtecan (T-DXd) for Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-Positive Solid Tumors and Breast Cancer

This phase I trial tests the safety, side effects, and best dose of pidnarulex in combination with trastuzumab deruxtecan in treating patients with breast cancer and other solid tumors that express varying levels of a protein called HER2 and that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic), that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable), or that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced). Pidnarulex is an enzyme inhibitor that causes cell death and prevents tumor cell growth. Trastuzumab deruxtecan is in a class of medications called antibody-drug conjugates. It is composed of a monoclonal antibody, called trastuzumab, linked to a chemotherapy drug, called deruxtecan. Trastuzumab attaches to HER2 positive tumor cells in a targeted way and delivers deruxtecan to kill them. Giving pidnarulex in combination with trastuzumab deruxtecan may be safe, tolerable and/or effective in treating patients with metastatic, unresectable, or locally advanced HER2-expressing breast cancer or other solid tumors.

Testing MK-3475 (Pembrolizumab) as Adjuvant Therapy for Triple Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer

This randomized phase III trial studies how well pembrolizumab works in treating patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread.

Collecting Blood Samples From Patients With and Without Cancer to Evaluate Tests for Early Cancer Detection

This study collects blood and tissue samples from patients with cancer and without cancer to evaluate tests for early cancer detection. Collecting and storing samples of blood and tissue from patients with and without cancer to study in the laboratory may help researchers develop tests for the early detection of cancers.

Testing the Role of FDG-PET/CT to Predict Response to Therapy Prior to Surgery for HER2-positive Breast Cancer, The DIRECT Trial

This phase II trial tests how well an imaging procedure called fludeoxyglucose F-18 (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) works in predicting response to standard of care chemotherapy prior to surgery in patients with HER2-positive stage IIa-IIIc breast cancer. FDG is a radioactive tracer that is given in a vein before PET/CT imaging and helps to identify areas of active cancer. PET and CT are imaging techniques that make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body. The use of FDG-PET/CT may help doctors better decide if a patient needs more or less treatment before surgery in order to get the best response. This study evaluates whether FDG-PET/CT is useful in predicting a patient's response to standard of care chemotherapy.

Testing the Addition of an Individualized Vaccine to Durvalumab and Tremelimumab and Chemotherapy in Patients With Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer

This phase II trial studies how well nab-paclitaxel, durvalumab, and tremelimumab with or without personalized synthetic long peptide vaccine (neoantigen vaccine) works in treating patients with triple negative breast cancer that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). Chemotherapy drugs, such as nab-paclitaxel, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as durvalumab and tremelimumab, may induce changes in body's immune system and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Vaccines made from peptides may help the body build an effective immune response to kill tumor cells. It is not yet known whether giving nab-paclitaxel, durvalumab, and tremelimumab with or without neoantigen vaccine will work better in treating patients with triple negative breast cancer.

Platinum in Treating Patients With Residual Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

This randomized phase III trial studies how well cisplatin or carboplatin (platinum based chemotherapy) works compared to capecitabine in treating patients with remaining (residual) basal-like triple-negative breast cancer following chemotherapy after surgery (neoadjuvant). Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, carboplatin and capecitabine, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. It is not yet known whether cisplatin or carboplatin is more effective than capecitabine in treating patients with residual triple negative basal-like breast cancer.

Circulating microRNAs and Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer

This prospective observational study aims to investigate subtype-specific circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) and their association with response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with breast cancer. Serum samples will be collected before NAC and prior to surgery, and changes in miRNA expression levels will be evaluated. Pathological complete response (pCR) and Miller-Payne scoring will be used to assess treatment response after NAC. The study also explores whether changes in circulating miRNA profiles can predict treatment response across different breast cancer subtypes. The findings may help identify biomarkers that support treatment planning and personalized therapy strategies.

Tissue- and Serum-Derived Exosomal microRNAs as Predictors of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response in Breast Cancer

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate whether exosomal microRNA profiles derived from tumor tissue and blood serum are associated with pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with breast cancer. Breast cancer patients with similar clinical and pathological features may respond differently to treatment, underscoring the need for reliable biomarkers that can help predict therapeutic outcomes. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles released by tumor cells that carry molecular signals, including microRNAs, which may reflect tumor behavior and treatment sensitivity. In this study, patients with breast cancer receiving standard NAC as part of routine clinical care will be followed prospectively. Exosomal microRNA profiles obtained from tumor tissue and blood samples collected during routine diagnostic and treatment procedures will be analyzed and compared with pathological complete response (pCR) assessed after completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A group of patients with benign breast disease will be included as a reference control for comparative analyses. The results of this study may contribute to the identification of minimally invasive biomarkers that support personalized treatment strategies in breast cancer.

Individual Factors Associated With Care Pathways Delays in Breast Cancer in Hauts-de-France.

Women in the Hauts-de-France region show higher breast cancer mortality despite no overall higher incidence, suggesting differences in the care pathway. This multicenter study will describe the overall time from the first warning sign to initiation of the first treatment, and will break down this delay into three consecutive intervals (symptoms to mammography, mammography to biopsy, biopsy to first treatment). Participants will complete a one-time questionnaire (up to 1 hour, with assistance if needed), and clinical data will be extracted in a standardized way from medical records (key dates and tumor characteristics). A random sample of 10% of incident breast cancer cases identified by each hospital information department will be used to ensure balanced geographic representation across 38 centers. The study will also explore how individual and contextual factors (psychological, behavioral, socio-demographic, access to care, communication) are associated with each time interval, and exploratory analyses will assess links with severity (metastases and prognostic score).

CompassHER2-pCR: Decreasing Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Patients After Pre-surgery Chemo and Targeted Therapy

This trial studies how well paclitaxel, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab work in eliminating further chemotherapy after surgery in patients with HER2-positive stage II-IIIa breast cancer who have no cancer remaining at surgery (either in the breast or underarm lymph nodes) after pre-operative chemotherapy and HER2-targeted therapy. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as paclitaxel, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Trastuzumab and pertuzumab are both a form of "targeted therapy" because they work by attaching themselves to specific molecules (receptors) on the surface of tumor cells, known as HER2 receptors. When these drugs attach to HER2 receptors, the signals that tell the cells to grow are blocked and the tumor cell may be marked for destruction by the body's immune system. Giving paclitaxel, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab may enable fewer chemotherapy drugs to be given without compromising patient outcomes compared to the usual treatment.

Hypofractionated Regional Nodal Irradiation Clinical Trial for Women With Breast Cancer

Single-arm, phase 2 study evaluating hypofractionated irradiation of breast and regional nodes in women with breast cancer. Patients will be grouped in 3 surgery-related treatment groups: 1) An intact breast following lumpectomy; 2) plans for loco regional external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) following mastectomy (with or without plans for reconstruction); and 3) plans for locoregional EBRT following mastectomy with reconstruction. Patients will be assessed for lymphedema, arm function, breast or chestwall pain, other EBRT-related adverse events, and, for patients who had a lumpectomy or mastectomy with reconstruction, cosmetic outcome.

Taxane and Taxane-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in African American Patients With Stage I-III Breast Cancer

This phase II trial studies whether a prior germline predictor of taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy (TIPN) can help identify a subgroup of patients who are at higher risk of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in African American patients with stages I-III breast cancer. The study also investigates whether docetaxel maybe work better than paclitaxel with regard to TIPN rate/severity and dose reductions.

Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy or Standard Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Ductal Breast Carcinoma In Situ or Early Invasive Breast Cancer

This randomized phase II trial studies how well hypofractionated radiation therapy (RT) works compared to standard RT in treating patients with ductal breast carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or early invasive breast cancer. Radiation therapy (RT) uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Giving higher doses of RT over a shorter period of time may kill more tumor cells and have fewer side effects. It is not yet known if hypofractionated RT is more effective than standard RT in treating breast cancer.

Genetic Testing in Predicting Tumor Response in Patients With Stage I-III HER2 Negative Invasive Breast Cancer

This phase II trial studies how well genetic testing works in predicting tumor response in patients with stage I-III HER2 negative invasive breast cancer. Genetic testing is a procedure that tests tumor samples to learn if certain genes are activated (turned on) in the tumor and if the activation of these genes may predict if the tumor will be sensitive or resistant to routine breast cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or hormonal therapy.

Multicenter Trial for Eliminating Breast Cancer Surgery or Radiotherapy in Exceptional Responders to Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy

This clinical trial studies eliminating surgery and/or radiation therapy in treating breast cancer patients. In HER2 positive and triple negative breast cancers, after systemic therapy, when image-guided biopsy shows no residual cancer, patients then receive standard breast radiotherapy with no surgery. In ER positive/HER2 negative breast cancers, after endocrine therapy and ablative radiotherapy, when image-guided biopsy shows no residual cancer, patients then receive standard endocrine therapy with no surgery. For patients who have HER2 positive and triple negative breast cancers and standard surgery, after systemic therapy, breast radiotherapy is being eliminated when the pathology from surgery shows no residual cancer.

Radiation Therapy Before Surgery in Treating Patients With Hormone Receptor Positive, HER2 Negative Breast Cancer

This phase II trial studies how well radiation therapy before surgery works in treating patients with hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Giving radiation therapy before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed.

Impact of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy on the Peripheral Blood Immune Phenotype in Operable Breast Cancer

This early phase I trial evaluates the impact of chemotherapy before surgery (neoadjuvant) on the peripheral blood immune phenotype in patients with operable breast cancer. Collecting blood and information from patients with breast cancer may help to understand how the immune system influences response to treatment, and how the immune system reacts to breast cancer treatment.

Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy After Mastectomy in Preventing Recurrence in Patients With Stage IIa-IIIa Breast Cancer

This randomized phase III trial studies how well hypofractionated radiation therapy works in preventing recurrence in patients with stage IIa-IIIa cancer who have undergone mastectomy. Hypofractionated radiation therapy delivers higher doses of radiation therapy over a shorter period of time and may kill more tumor cells that remain after surgery and have fewer side effects.

NearWave Optical Molecular Monitoring

The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of the NearWave optical molecular monitoring system for monitoring therapy progression and predicting pathologic complete response (pCR) of breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

Comparing Supplemental Topical Agents for the Treatment of Acute Radiation Dermatitis in Patients With Breast Cancer

This clinical trial compares two supplemental topical agents (Aquaphor and Miaderm) for the treatment of acute radiation dermatitis in patients with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy. Radiation dermatitis is a radiation-induced skin reaction which can cause itching, swelling, pain, and general discomfort. Aquaphor is a commonly available, inexpensive, petrolatum-based multi-purpose ointment designed to protect and sooth extremely dry skin, chapped lips, cracked hands and feet, minor cuts and burns, and many other skin irritations. Miaderm is a water-based cream and contains ingredients like calendula, hyaluronate, and aloe vera which may help reduce occurrence and severity of radiation dermatitis. Both are commonly recommended and used by breast cancer patients undergoing external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). However, it is not known whether one is better than the other in treating or preventing radiation dermatitis.