New drug combo aims to outperform standard therapy in HER2+ breast cancer

NCT ID NCT04425018

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

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether a newer drug, margetuximab, combined with chemotherapy, works better than the standard trastuzumab combination for HER2-positive breast cancer before surgery. The study includes 174 people with stage II or III disease who have a specific genetic variant. The main goal is to see which combination leads to no cancer remaining at the time of surgery.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Margetuximab (Margenza) and Trastuzumab (Herceptin), both given with chemotherapy (Paclitaxel and Pertuzumab)
What this could lead to: If margetuximab proves more effective, it could offer a new pre-surgery treatment option for HER2-positive breast cancer patients with a specific genetic profile.
What could go wrong: This is a mid-stage trial with only 174 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The new drug may not work better than the current standard, and side effects are possible.

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 HER2 positive breast carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

BREAST CANCER HER2-POSITIVE BREAST CANCER STAGE II BREAST CANCER STAGE III BREAST CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
Dana Farber Cancer Institute

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center - Foxborough

Foxborough, Massachusetts, 02035, United States
Dana-Farber at Milford

Milford, Massachusetts, 01757, United States
Dana-Farber at South Shore Hospital

Weymouth, Massachusetts, 02190, United States
Georgetown University Medical Center

Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20007, United States
MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
MedStar Washington Hospital Center

Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20010, United States
Montefiore Medical Center

The Bronx, New York, 10461, United States
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center - Arnold Palmer at Mountain View

Greensburg, Pennsylvania, 15601, United States
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center - Arnold Palmer at Norwin

Irwin, Pennsylvania, 15642, United States
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States
University of Washington Fred Hutchinson Cancer Care

Seattle, Washington, 98109, United States

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