NeoAdjuvant Therapy Comparing Sacituzumab Govitecan+Pembrolizumab vs. SoC Chemotherapy in Clinical Stage II-III, Triple-negative Early Breast Cancer
This study focuses on a specific type of breast cancer called triple-negative early breast cancer, which can be challenging to treat. It aims to find out if combining new drugs, Sacituzumab Govitecan and Pembrolizumab, works better than current standard chemotherapy before surgery. Researchers want to know if this new treatment can shrink tumours more effectively, reduce the chance of cancer returning, and improve patients' long-term health. The study has two main parts: one investigates if some patients can have less chemotherapy, and the other tests if adding a new drug can help patients whose cancer hasn't responded as well to initial treatment. It is a Phase 3 trial, meaning it's testing new treatments against current best practice.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This study is looking at new ways to treat a specific type of breast cancer called 'triple-negative early breast cancer' (often shortened to TNBC). This type of cancer is harder to treat than others because it doesn't respond to some common hormone or targeted therapies. For people with TNBC that's stage II or III, the usual treatment involves chemotherapy before surgery to try and shrink the tumour. While this approach helps many, some patients still don't get the best results, and the cancer can sometimes return.
Researchers are running this study because they want to improve these outcomes. They are asking two main questions. Firstly, do all patients need the full 6 months of pre-surgery chemotherapy, or can some patients, particularly those who respond well early on, have less treatment? This is important because less treatment can mean fewer side effects. Secondly, for patients whose cancer hasn't shrunk enough after the initial chemotherapy, can adding a newer type of drug called Sacituzumab Govitecan improve their chances of success? This drug has already shown good results in metastatic TNBC (cancer that has spread), so doctors want to see if it can help earlier on.
Ultimately, the goal of this study is to find out if these new approaches can lead to better results for people with triple-negative early breast cancer. This includes aiming for more patients to have their tumours completely shrink away before surgery, and reducing the risk of the cancer coming back in the future. By answering these questions, the study hopes to improve the standard of care and offer better treatment options.
Key takeaways
- The study explores new ways to treat triple-negative breast cancer.
- It aims to improve outcomes for patients before surgery.
- Compares new drug combinations against standard chemotherapy.
- Looks at whether some patients can have less chemotherapy.
- Investigates if a newer drug can help when initial treatment isn't fully effective.
- You can withdraw from the study at any time.
Who may be eligible?
This study is for adults aged 18 or over who have been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. Your cancer must be in stage II or III (meaning it's not spread to other parts of your body). You'll need to have had some initial chemotherapy (called neo-adjuvant chemotherapy) that included drugs like carboplatin and pembrolizumab or paclitaxel and pembrolizumab.
There are two main groups within the study. One group is for people with stage II cancer who have responded really well to the first 12 weeks of treatment. The other group is for people with stage III cancer, or stage II cancer that didn't respond as well to the first 12 weeks. You'll need to be able to understand information about the study and complete questionnaires.
To check if you're eligible, doctors will need to confirm your cancer type is triple-negative based on tests. You'll also need a preserved tissue sample of your tumour for review. Lastly, your general health needs to be good enough to take part in a study like this.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Do you have stage II or III triple-negative breast cancer?
- Have you already started or completed 9-12 weeks of specific initial chemotherapy with other drugs like carboplatin/paclitaxel and pembrolizumab?
- Do you have a tissue sample of your tumour available for review?
- Is your general health good enough for a clinical trial?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part in this study, what happens next depends on which group you're in.
**For Cohort 1 (De-escalation)**: If you have stage II cancer and your tumour has shrunk significantly after the first 12 weeks of chemotherapy (carboplatin/paclitaxel plus pembrolizumab), the study will investigate if you can skip further chemotherapy before surgery. You would then proceed directly to surgery. After surgery, if tests show no cancer cells left, you wouldn't receive further chemotherapy beyond standard follow-up. If some cancer cells remain, you might receive additional standard treatments, which could include more chemotherapy or a different drug (olaparib, if you have a specific gene mutation).
**For Cohort 2 (Intensification)**: This group is for everyone with stage III cancer, and those with stage II cancer whose tumour hasn't shrunk as much after the initial 12 weeks of treatment. You would be randomly assigned to one of two treatment paths. One path involves receiving a new drug combination – Sacituzumab Govitecan and Pembrolizumab – before surgery. The other path involves receiving current standard chemotherapy before surgery. After surgery, depending on whether cancer cells are still present, you would receive further standard post-surgery treatments which might include more chemotherapy or another drug.
Throughout the study, you'll have regular hospital visits for check-ups, scans, and to receive your treatment. Doctors will closely monitor your health and any side effects. The total duration of your participation, including follow-up, will be explained by the study team, but clinical trials generally involve long-term monitoring to track outcomes like cancer recurrence.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (26)
- SLK-Kliniken Heilbronn GmbH, Klinik für Gynäkologie und GeburtshilfeVerified postcodeHeilbronn, Germany
- GRN Gesundheitszentren Rhein-Neckar gGmbH, Brustzentrum WeinheimVerified postcodeWeinheim, Germany
- Universitaetsklinikum Augsburg, Klinik für Frauenheilkunde und GeburtsmedizinVerified postcodeAugsburg, Germany
- Klinikum der Universitaet Muenchen AöR, Frauenheilkunde und GeburtshilfeVerified postcodeMünchen, Germany
- Klinikum der Technischen Universitaet Muenchen (TUM Klinikum), BrustzentrumVerified postcodeMünchen, Germany
- Caritas-Krankenhaus St. Josef, Frauenheilkunde und GeburtshilfeVerified postcodeRegensburg, Germany
- Haematologisch Onkologische SchwerpunktpraxisVerified postcodeWürzburg, Germany
- Medical University Of Lausitz Carl Thiem, FrauenklinikVerified postcodeCottbus, Germany
- Gesundheitszentrum Wetterau gGmbH, Gynäkologische AmbulanzVerified postcodeBad Nauheim, Germany
- Klinikum Kassel GmbH, Klinik für Frauenheilkunde und GeburtshilfeVerified postcodeKassel, Germany
- Gemeinschaftspraxis Frauenärzte am BahnhofsplatzVerified postcodeHildesheim, Germany
- Universitaetsklinikum Aachen AöR, Gynäkologie und GeburtsmedizinVerified postcodeAachen, Germany
Common questions
What is 'triple-negative breast cancer'?
It's a type of breast cancer that doesn't have the three common features (ER, PR, and HER2) that are used to guide some treatments. This means it needs different ways of being treated.
What is 'neo-adjuvant therapy'?
This means treatment, like chemotherapy, given before surgery. The aim is to shrink the tumour, making surgery easier and potentially more effective.
What are the new drugs being tested?
The main new drugs are Sacituzumab Govitecan and Pembrolizumab. Sacituzumab Govitecan is a targeted drug, and Pembrolizumab helps your body's immune system fight cancer.
Will I definitely get the new treatment if I join?
Not necessarily. In one part of the study, patients will be randomly assigned to either receive the new treatment or the standard treatment, like flipping a coin, to ensure a fair comparison.
What is a 'Phase 3' study?
A Phase 3 study is a large study that compares a new treatment with the best existing treatment to see if it's better. This is often the final step before a new drug can be approved for wider use.
How to find out more
Anja Braschoß
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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