New cocktail aims to shrink metastatic breast tumors

NCT ID NCT02778685

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase II trial tests whether adding the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to standard hormone therapy (letrozole or fulvestrant) and the targeted drug palbociclib can shrink tumors in postmenopausal women with newly diagnosed stage IV estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The study enrolled 47 participants and measures how many patients respond to treatment, as well as any side effects. The goal is to see if this combination can better control cancer that has spread.

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), letrozole (Femara), palbociclib (Ibrance), and fulvestrant (Faslodex)

What this could lead to

If successful, this combination could offer a new treatment option that helps control metastatic ER+ breast cancer for longer.

What could go wrong

This is a small phase II study with only 47 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. Side effects from combining immunotherapy with hormone therapy and a targeted drug are not yet fully known.

Disclaimer Read more

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.

breast carcinoma breast neoplasm estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer invasive breast carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • City of Hope Antelope Valley

    Lancaster, California, 93534, United States

  • City of Hope Corona

    Corona, California, 92879, United States

  • City of Hope Medical Center

    Duarte, California, 91010, United States

  • City of Hope Mission Hills

    Mission Hills, California, 91345, United States

  • City of Hope South Pasadena

    South Pasadena, California, 91030, United States

  • City of Hope Upland

    Upland, California, 91786, United States

  • City of Hope West Covina

    West Covina, California, 91790, United States