Can sound waves boost immunotherapy in breast cancer?

NCT ID NCT03237572

Terminated Disease control Sponsor: Patrick Dillon, MD Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early study tested combining high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in 13 people with metastatic breast cancer. The goal was to see if the ultrasound could help the immune system better recognize and attack tumors. The trial was terminated early, so the findings are limited.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
What this could lead to: If this approach works, it could point toward a way to make immunotherapy more effective for hard-to-treat metastatic breast cancer.
What could go wrong: This was a very small, early-phase trial that was terminated early, so results are limited. The combination may not improve outcomes or could cause added side effects.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

breast cancer breast carcinoma breast neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

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

BREAST CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, Virginia, 22908, United States

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