Immunotherapy combo aims to wipe out HER2 breast cancer before surgery
NCT ID NCT03747120
First seen Jul 08, 2026 · Last updated Jul 09, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial investigates whether adding the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to standard chemotherapy and HER2-targeted drugs can destroy more cancer before surgery in people with HER2-positive breast cancer. Participants receive one of three treatment combinations before surgery, and researchers measure how many have no cancer remaining in the breast or lymph nodes at the time of surgery. The goal is to improve outcomes for this aggressive breast cancer type.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) plus trastuzumab (Herceptin), pertuzumab (Perjeta), and paclitaxel (Taxol)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could increase the chance of eliminating all cancer before surgery, potentially reducing recurrence risk.
- What could go wrong
- This is a mid-stage trial, so results may not confirm benefit. Adding immunotherapy can cause immune-related side effects like inflammation of organs.
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
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Locations
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Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California, 90048, United States
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Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
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New Mexico Cancer Center
Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87109, United States
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Providence Cancer Institute
Portland, Oregon, 97213, United States
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UT Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas, 75006-7541, United States
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