New drug cocktail aims to prime immune system against aggressive breast cancer before surgery

NCT ID NCT04427293

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: University of Illinois at Chicago Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This early-phase trial is testing whether giving two drugs—lenvatinib and pembrolizumab—before surgery can boost the immune response in people with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer. Only 12 participants will receive the short treatment before their planned surgery. The main goal is to see changes in immune cells within the tumor, not to measure cure or long-term survival.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: lenvatinib and pembrolizumab
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new pre-surgery treatment combination that boosts the immune system's ability to fight triple-negative breast cancer.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small phase 1 trial with only 12 participants. It is designed to measure immune cell changes, not cure or long-term outcomes. The combination may not improve standard treatment and could cause 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.

triple-negative breast carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of Illinois
RECRUITING

Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States

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