Can a targeted drug help breast cancer patients with 'invisible' HER2?

NCT ID NCT01975142

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

Summary

This study looked at 155 people with metastatic breast cancer whose original tumors were HER2-negative. Researchers checked their blood for HER2-positive cancer cells. Those who had them received the drug T-DM1, which delivers chemotherapy directly to HER2-positive cells. The goal was to see if the tumors would shrink.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a treatment option for people with metastatic breast cancer whose tumors test HER2-negative but have HER2-positive cells in their blood.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase trial with no comparison group, so results may not apply widely. T-DM1 can cause side effects like liver damage and low blood cell counts.

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 Her2-receptor negative breast cancer

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Centre Catherine de Sienne

    Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, 54519, France

  • Centre Oscar Lambret

    Lille, 59020, France

  • Centre Val d'Aurelle - P. Lamarque

    Montpellier, 34298, France

  • Chu Saint-Louis

    Paris, 75475, France

  • Chu de Limoges

    Limoges, 87042, France

  • Clinique Victor Hugo

    Le Mans, 72000, France

  • Institut Curie

    Paris, 75005, France

  • Institut Curie - Hôpital René HUGENIN

    Saint-Cloud, SAINT-CLOUD, France

  • Institut de Cancérologie HARTMANN

    Levallois-Perret, 92309, France

  • Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine

    Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, 54519, France