Can imaging cut chemo for breast cancer? new trial seeks answers

NCT ID NCT03820063

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

Summary

This phase 2 trial is testing whether doctors can safely reduce the amount of chemotherapy given to people with HER2-positive breast cancer by using imaging scans to guide treatment. The study involves 462 participants with stage II or III disease who receive a combination of drugs (paclitaxel, trastuzumab, carboplatin, and pertuzumab) before surgery. If the cancer responds well on scans, less chemo may be needed, potentially lowering side effects while still aiming for a good outcome.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Paclitaxel, trastuzumab (Herceptin), carboplatin, pertuzumab, and T-DM1

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show that some patients with HER2-positive breast cancer can safely receive less chemotherapy, reducing side effects without compromising outcomes.

What could go wrong

This is a phase 2 trial with 462 participants, so results are preliminary. The approach may not work for all patients, and there is still a risk of cancer recurrence or side effects from the drugs.

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.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for BREAST CANCER are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

breast cancer breast neoplasm HER2 positive breast carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Alexander Monro ziekenhuis

    Bilthoven, Netherlands

  • Amphia Ziekenhuis

    Breda, Netherlands

  • Amsterdam UMC

    Amsterdam, Netherlands

  • Bernhoven

    Oss, Netherlands

  • Canisius Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis

    Nijmegen, Netherlands

  • Catharina ziekenhuis

    Eindhoven, Netherlands

  • Deventer ziekenhuis

    Deventer, Netherlands

  • Diakonessenhuis Utrecht

    Utrecht, Netherlands

  • Elisabeth TweeSteden ziekenhuis

    Tilburg, Netherlands

  • Elkerliek ziekenhuis

    Helmond, Netherlands

  • Erasmus MC, Universitair Medisch Centrum Rotterdam

    Rotterdam, Netherlands

  • Franciscus Gasthuis en Vlietland

    Rotterdam, Netherlands

  • Gelre ziekenhuizen

    Apeldoorn, Netherlands

  • Groene Hart Ziekenhuis

    Gouda, Netherlands

  • Haaglanden MC

    The Hague, Netherlands

  • Haga Ziekenhuis

    The Hague, Netherlands

  • Ikazia Ziekenhuis

    Rotterdam, Netherlands

  • Isala Klinieken

    Zwolle, Netherlands

  • Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis

    's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands

  • Laurentius ziekenhuis

    Roermond, Netherlands

  • MUMC

    Maastricht, Netherlands

  • Maasstadziekenhuis

    Rotterdam, Netherlands

  • Martini ziekenhuis

    Groningen, Netherlands

  • Maxima Medisch Centrum

    Eindhoven, Netherlands

  • Meander Medisch Centrum

    Amersfoort, Netherlands

  • Medisch Centrum Leeuwarden

    Leeuwarden, Netherlands

  • NKI-AVL

    Amsterdam, Netherlands

  • Nij Smellinghe

    Drachten, Netherlands

  • Noordwest Ziekenhuisgroep

    Alkmaar, Netherlands

  • OLVG

    Amsterdam, Netherlands

  • RIVAS Beatrixziekenhuis

    Gorinchem, Netherlands

  • Reinier de Graaf Groep

    Delft, Netherlands

  • Rijnstate

    Arnhem, Netherlands

  • Rivierenland Ziekenhuis

    Tiel, Netherlands

  • Rode Kruis Ziekenhuis

    Beverwijk, Netherlands

  • SKB Ziekenhuis Winterswijk

    Winterswijk, Netherlands

  • Sint Annaziekenhuis

    Geldrop, Netherlands

  • Sint Antonius ziekenhuis

    Nieuwegein, Netherlands

  • Spaarne Gasthuis

    Hoofddorp, Netherlands

  • Stichting ziekenhuizen West-Friesland en Waterland

    Purmerend, Netherlands

  • Tergooi

    Hilversum, Netherlands

  • Tjongerschans

    Heerenveen, Netherlands

  • Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht

    Utrecht, Netherlands

  • VieCurie Medisch Centrum voor Noord-Limburg

    Venlo, Netherlands

  • Zaans Medisch Centrum

    Zaandam, Netherlands

  • Ziekenhuis Amstelland

    Amstelveen, Netherlands

  • Ziekenhuis St. Jansdal

    Harderwijk, Netherlands

  • Ziekenhuisgroep Twente

    Almelo, Netherlands

  • Ziekenhuisvoorziening Gelderse Vallei

    Ede, Netherlands

  • ZorgSaam

    Terneuzen, Netherlands

  • Zuyderland Medisch Centrum

    Heerlen, Netherlands

  • van Weel Bethesda

    Dirksland, Netherlands