Could an arthritis drug help fight tough breast cancers?

NCT ID NCT05846789

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Kathy Miller Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tests whether adding tocilizumab, an anti-inflammatory drug, to standard chemotherapy improves outcomes for people with metastatic triple-negative or ER-low breast cancer. Researchers will compare the combination to chemotherapy alone in 168 Black and non-Black patients. The goal is to see if the drug shrinks tumors and slows cancer growth, while also exploring differences in inflammation between racial groups.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: tocilizumab (a drug that blocks inflammation) combined with standard chemotherapy
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a more effective treatment for hard-to-treat breast cancers, especially by reducing inflammation that may help tumors grow.
What could go wrong: This is an early phase II trial with only 168 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Tocilizumab can increase infection risk, and the added benefit over chemo alone is uncertain.

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 carcinoma breast neoplasm triple-negative breast carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ESTROGEN-RECEPTOR-LOW BREAST CANCER METASTATIC BREAST CANCER TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Duke University
RECRUITING

Durham, North Carolina, 27708, United States
Emory University
RECRUITING

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
IU Health Joe and Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Carmel, Indiana, 46032, United States
Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Buffalo, New York, 14203, United States
Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital
RECRUITING

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States

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