Could a pill replace chemo for some breast cancers?

NCT ID NCT03283384

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Borstkanker Onderzoek Groep Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether a combination of two drugs, ribociclib and letrozole, can replace standard chemotherapy for postmenopausal women with a common type of breast cancer (hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative). The study involves 100 participants who will receive either the drug combo or chemo before surgery. The goal is to see if the combo stops cancer cell growth as effectively as chemo, potentially offering a gentler treatment option.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Ribociclib plus letrozole
What this could lead to: If successful, this could offer a less toxic, targeted alternative to chemotherapy for certain breast cancer patients before surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial (100 participants) and may not show that the drug combination works as well as chemotherapy. Side effects from ribociclib and letrozole are possible.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

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 NEOPLASMS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht

Maastricht, Netherlands
Amphia Ziekenhuis

Breda, Netherlands
Antonius Ziekenhuis

Sneek, Netherlands
Bravis Ziekenhuis

Roosendaal, Netherlands
Canisius-Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis

Nijmegen, Netherlands
Catharina Ziekenhuis

Eindhoven, Netherlands
Elisabeth Tweesteden Ziekenhuis

Tilburg, Netherlands
Gelre Ziekenhuizen

Apeldoorn, Netherlands
Groene Hart Ziekenhuis

Gouda, Netherlands
HAGA Ziekenhuis

The Hague, Netherlands
Haaglanden Medisch Centrum

The Hague, Netherlands
Isala

Zwolle, Netherlands
Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis

's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
Laurentius Ziekenhuis

Roermond, Netherlands
Leiden University Medical Center

Leiden, Netherlands
Maxima Medisch Centrum

Eindhoven, Netherlands
Nederlands Kanker Instituut - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek

Amsterdam, Netherlands
Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis

Amsterdam, Netherlands
Spaarne Gasthuis

Haarlem, Netherlands
Stichting Deventer Ziekenhuisgroep

Deventer, Netherlands
Stichting Reinier Haga Groep (Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis)

Delft, Netherlands
Streekziekenhuis Koningin Beatrix

Winterswijk, Netherlands
Tergooi Ziekenhuizen

Hilversum, Netherlands
VieCuri Medisch Centrum

Venlo, Netherlands
Westfriesgasthuis

Hoorn, Netherlands
Ziekenhuis Amstelland

Amstelveen, Netherlands
Ziekenhuis Rivierenland

Tiel, Netherlands
Ziekenhuis St. Jansdal

Harderwijk, Netherlands
Ziekenhuisgroep Twente

Almelo, Netherlands

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