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

NCT ID NCT04427293

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.

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

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • University of Illinois

    RECRUITING

    Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••