Could a common cholesterol drug boost breast cancer treatment?

NCT ID NCT05464810

First seen Jul 17, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026

Summary

This trial investigates whether adding simvastatin, a widely used cholesterol medication, to the standard hormone therapy letrozole can better slow the growth of hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer before surgery. About 40 adults with stage I-III breast cancer will receive either letrozole alone or letrozole plus simvastatin for two weeks before their operation. The main goal is to measure changes in Ki-67, a marker of cancer cell growth, to see if the combination is more effective.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
letrozole and simvastatin
What this could lead to
If successful, this could point to a more effective short-term treatment to shrink hormone receptor-positive breast tumors before surgery.
What could go wrong
This is a very early, small study (40 people) testing a biomarker, not survival. The combination may not prove better than letrozole alone in larger trials.

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.

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: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30342, United States

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

    Contact

  • Emory University Hospital Midtown

    RECRUITING

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30308, United States

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

    Contact

  • Emory University Hospital/Winship Cancer Institute

    RECRUITING

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States

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

    Contact

  • Grady Healthcare System

    RECRUITING

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, United States

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

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