Could an arthritis drug help fight tough breast cancers?

NCT ID NCT05846789

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.

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 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.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Duke University

    RECRUITING

    Durham, North Carolina, 27708, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Emory University

    RECRUITING

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • IU Health Joe and Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center

    RECRUITING

    Carmel, Indiana, 46032, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center

    RECRUITING

    Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

    RECRUITING

    Buffalo, New York, 14203, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••