Breast cancer trial combines targeted drug with hormone therapy to shrink tumors before surgery
NCT ID NCT02764541
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase 2 trial investigates whether adding the targeted drug palbociclib to standard endocrine therapy (letrozole or tamoxifen) improves tumor shrinkage before surgery in people with hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer. The study includes both invasive lobular and ductal carcinoma types. Participants receive either endocrine therapy alone or combined with palbociclib, and researchers measure how well the cancer responds by looking at cell growth markers and residual tumor burden after treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Palbociclib (Ibrance) and letrozole (Femara) or tamoxifen
What this could lead to
If successful, this could point toward a more effective pre-surgery treatment for hormone receptor positive breast cancer, potentially improving outcomes for patients with invasive lobular and ductal carcinoma.
What could go wrong
This is a phase 2 trial with a moderate sample size, so results may not confirm benefit in larger populations. Adding palbociclib can increase side effects like low blood cell counts, and not all patients may respond.
Disclaimer
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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.
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.
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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Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
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DF/BWCC at Milford Regional Medical Center
Milford, Massachusetts, 01757, United States
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DF/BWCC in clinical affiliation with South Shore Hospital
South Weymouth, Massachusetts, 02190, United States
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Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
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Dana-Farber at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, 02135, United States
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Eastern Maine Medical Center
Brewer, Maine, 04412, United States
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Lifespan
Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States
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MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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Sarah Cannon Research Institute
Nashville, Tennessee, 37203, United States
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Stamford Hospital
Stamford, Connecticut, 06904, United States
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Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States