New hope for metastatic breast cancer: pill combo may replace chemo

NCT ID NCT02942355

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This pilot study tests two oral drugs, anastrozole and palbociclib, in postmenopausal women with a common type of metastatic breast cancer (HR+/HER2-). The drugs are given either as the first treatment or as maintenance after chemotherapy. The main goal is to see if the combination is safe and tolerable, especially regarding low white blood cell counts.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

anastrozole and palbociclib

What this could lead to

If successful, this combination could offer a new way to control metastatic breast cancer without chemotherapy, potentially delaying disease progression.

What could go wrong

This is a small pilot study with only 40 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The drugs can cause neutropenia (low white blood cells), which may lead to stopping treatment.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

breast cancer breast neoplasm female breast carcinoma hormone receptor-positive breast cancer

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Levine Cancer Institute

    Charlotte, North Carolina, 28204, United States