Can a skin cancer drug reboot chemo for tough breast tumors?

NCT ID NCT04664829

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This early-phase trial tested whether the drug bexarotene (Targretin) could make chemotherapy-resistant triple-negative breast cancer cells sensitive to chemo again. Twelve women with metastatic, taxane-resistant breast cancer took bexarotene pills plus capecitabine (Xeloda) chemotherapy. The study looked at changes in tumor genes and proteins, and monitored side effects.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

bexarotene (Targretin) and capecitabine (Xeloda)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a way to make chemotherapy effective again for some people with hard-to-treat breast cancer.

What could go wrong

This is a very early, small Phase 1 trial with only 12 people. It is designed mainly to check safety and biological changes, not to prove the treatment works.

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.

triple-negative breast carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • National Cancer Center Singapore

    Singapore, 168583, Singapore