New trial aims High-Dose chemo directly at liver tumors in breast cancer patients
NCT ID NCT06875128
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 2 trial tests whether delivering high-dose chemotherapy directly to the liver (using a special system) followed by standard cancer drugs works better than standard drugs alone for people with breast cancer that has spread mainly to the liver. About 90 participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The study tracks how long the liver tumors stay under control and any side effects.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Melphalan delivered directly to the liver via HDS (hepatic delivery system), followed by eribulin, vinorelbine, or capecitabine
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new way to control breast cancer that has spread to the liver, potentially slowing liver tumor growth and improving outcomes.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early phase 2 trial with only 90 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The liver-directed procedure carries risks like infection, bleeding, or liver damage.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 90 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2026
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed diagnosis of MBC. * Patients with HER2-negative (IHC 0 or 1+ or 2+ and ISH non-amplified) MBC (including triple negative disease). * Patient with Hormone Receptor-Positive disease has progressed on or intolerant of prior endocrine therapy and CDK 4/6 inhibitors. * Disease progression after TOPO-1 isomerase inhibitor payload ADC, such as sacituzumab govitecan and/or trastuzumab deruxtecan. Patients not eligible or suitable for ADCs can be considered for this study. NOTE: In jurisdictions where those ADCs are not available as standard of care, patients will be eligible after prior treatment or intolerable toxicity on two standard chemotherapy regimens for the appropriate disease subtype. * Patient with HER2-negative breast cancer suitable for single agent chemotherapy as per judgement of treating investigator. * Patient is a suitable candidate for treatment with one of the following: eribulin, vinorelbine, or capecitabine as per judgement of treating investigator. * Patient has liver dominant metastatic disease. Liver-dominant is defined as the majority of total tumor burden is located in the liver, and/or the life-threatening component of the disease is located in the liver. * MBC metastases must involve ≤ 50% of the liver parenchyma. * If there is evidence of extrahepatic metastatic disease, it is limited, and the life-threatening component of disease is in the liver. Extrahepatic disease is restricted to lesions in the breast, lung, other visceral organs, lymph nodes and skin. * Disease in the liver must be measurable (per RECIST v1.1 guidelines) by computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). * Patient weighs ≥ 35 kg * Scans used to determine eligibility (CT scan of the chest/abdomen/pelvis and MRI of the liver) must be performed within 28 days prior to randomization. * Patient has an ECOG PS of 0-1. Exclusion Criteria: * Prior chemoembolization or radioembolization to the liver or prior hepatic arterial infusion therapy. * Evidence of clinically significant portal hypertension by history, endoscopy, or radiologic studies (large abdominal varices, prior history of varices by endoscopy). * New York Heart Association functional classification II, III or IV or active cardiac condition(s), including unstable coronary syndromes (unstable or severe angina, recent myocardial infarction), worsening or new-onset congestive heart failure, significant arrhythmias, or severe valvular disease that create(s) undue risks of undergoing general anesthesia. * History or evidence of clinically significant pulmonary disease that precludes the use of general anesthesia. * History of bleeding disorders, presence of brain metastases or other intracranial abnormalities that would put them at risk for bleeding with anti-coagulation. * Known varices at risk of bleeding, including medium or large esophageal or gastric varices, active peptic ulcer, or history of recent hemoptysis. * An active second malignancy or has a history of recent definitively treated invasive cancer within 2 years prior to enrolment. Exceptions are optimally treated and controlled basal cell carcinoma, other skin cancers, thyroid cancer. * Symptoms and signs indicating clinically significant progression of disease including cord compression, increasing pain symptoms, increasing oxygen requirements, impending pathological fracture, compressive lymphadenopathy, or symptomatic pleural effusion. * Pregnant or breastfeeding. * WOCBP (i.e., fertile meaning not permanently sterilized and having had a menstrual period within the past 12 months) who is unable to undergo hormonal suppression to avoid menstruation during treatment. * Patient requires chronic use of immunosuppressive drugs. NOTE: Oral prednisolone ≤ 10 mg/day or equivalent is allowed. * Unable to be temporarily removed from chronic anti-coagulation therapy. * Active bacterial infections with systemic manifestations (malaise, fever, leucocytosis). * An active infection, including Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infection. NOTE: Patients with anti-hepatitis B core antibody (HBc) positive, or hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) but DNA negative are allowed exception(s). * Known severe allergic reaction to iodine contrast that cannot be controlled by premedication with antihistamines and steroids. * History of or known hypersensitivity to melphalan or the components of the Melphalan/HDS system. * Known latex allergy. * History of known hypersensitivity to heparin or the presence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. * Uncontrolled endocrine disorder including diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, or hyperthyroidism. * Received anti-cancer therapy including radiotherapy or investigational agent for any indication ≤ 30 days prior to randomization. * Patients should have recovered to Grade 1 or less for AEs related to prior treatment unless deemed clinically not significant, such as lymphopenia, anemia, or grade 2 neuropathy due to prior taxane treatment. NOTE: Certain side effects that are unlikely to develop into serious or life-threatening events (e.g., alopecia) are allowed at ≥ Grade 1. * \< 28 days after surgery and surgical wound is not fully healed. * Currently under treatment for cancer other than MBC or is not deemed to be cancer free. * Not eligible to receive either eribulin or vinorelbine or capecitabine. * Albumin level \< 3.0 g/dL.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
5 sites in 2 countries. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Cleveland Clinic
RECRUITINGCleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States
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Instiuto Europeo de Oncologia
RECRUITINGMilan, Italy
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Moffitt Cancer Center
RECRUITINGTampa, Florida, 33612, United States
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Ohio State University, Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center
RECRUITINGColumbus, Ohio, 43212, United States
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UT Southwestern Medical Center
RECRUITINGDallas, Texas, 75325, United States
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