Could a diabetes drug slow breast cancer growth?

NCT ID NCT07676331

Not yet recruiting Disease control Sponsor: Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 30, 2026 · Last updated Jul 08, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This phase 2 trial investigates whether tirzepatide, a drug used for weight loss and diabetes, can slow tumor growth in people with early-stage hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Participants receive tirzepatide alone, the standard hormone therapy letrozole alone, or both together before surgery. The main goal is to see if these treatments reduce a marker of cell growth called Ki67 in tumor tissue.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: tirzepatide (a GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist) and letrozole (an aromatase inhibitor)
What this could lead to: If tirzepatide reduces tumor cell growth, it could offer a new way to help control early breast cancer, especially in patients with higher body weight.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase trial with a small number of participants, so results may not apply broadly. Tirzepatide can cause side effects like nausea and vomiting, and it is not yet proven to treat cancer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

breast cancer breast neoplasm Her2-receptor negative breast cancer hormone receptor-positive breast cancer

As listed by the trial registrant

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

EARLY BREAST CANCER HORMONE RECEPTOR POSITIVE BREAST CANCER

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