Could a pill combo replace chemo for some breast cancers?

NCT ID NCT02712723

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Qamar Khan Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether adding ribociclib to letrozole before surgery helps more women with ER-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer achieve a low-risk score (PEPI 0) compared to letrozole alone. About 121 postmenopausal women with stage II or III breast cancer will take the drugs for 24 weeks before surgery. The goal is to see if this combo can improve outcomes and potentially spare patients from needing chemotherapy.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Ribociclib (a targeted drug) combined with letrozole (a hormone therapy)
What this could lead to: If it works, this combination could help more women with early breast cancer avoid chemotherapy and still have a good outcome.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial, so results may not apply to all patients. The drug combination can cause side effects like low blood cell counts or liver issues.

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 hormone receptor-positive breast cancer

As listed by the trial registrant

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

BREAST CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Cancer Research Collaboration

Santa Ana, California, 92705, United States
City of Hope National Medical Center

Duarte, California, 91010, United States
Columbia University Medical Center

New York, New York, 10032, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center - Lee's Summit

Lee's Summit, Missouri, 64064, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center - North

Kansas City, Missouri, 64154, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center - Overland Park

Overland Park, Kansas, 66210, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center - South

Kansas City, Missouri, 64131, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center - West

Kansas City, Kansas, 66112, United States
University of Kansas Cancer Center - Westwood

Westwood, Kansas, 66205, United States
University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Deerfield Beach, Florida, 33442, United States
University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center

Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, United States

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