New drug combo shows promise in resistant breast cancer

NCT ID NCT01560416

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This phase 2 study tested whether adding ganetespib, an experimental drug that blocks a protein called HSP90, to the standard hormone therapy fulvestrant could help people with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer that has stopped responding to hormone treatment. The study enrolled 50 participants and measured how long the cancer stayed under control (progression-free survival) and side effects. The goal was to see if the combination works better than fulvestrant alone.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Fulvestrant (Faslodex) and ganetespib (STA9090)
What this could lead to: If adding ganetespib to fulvestrant works, it could offer a new treatment option for people with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer that has become resistant to hormone therapy.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase (phase 2) study with only 50 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The combination may cause more side effects (like grade 3-4 toxicity) without improving outcomes.

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 neoplasm hormone receptor-positive breast cancer Neoplasm Metastasis

As listed by the trial registrant

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

BREAST CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
DFCI at Faulkner Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02130, United States
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
New Hampshire Oncology and Hematology, P.A.

Concord, New Hampshire, 03301, United States
University of North Carolina

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States

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