New immune cell combo targets hard-to-treat breast cancer
NCT ID NCT03272334
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests a new treatment for women with metastatic breast cancer that has spread. It combines specially trained immune cells (HER2 BATs) that attack cancer cells with a drug called pembrolizumab that helps the immune system work better. The goal is to find a safe dose and see if the combination can shrink tumors. About 22 women will take part in two phases.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
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22 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Dec 2017
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2031
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Histologically confirmed breast cancer (infiltrating ductal or lobular breast carcinoma) with evidence of measurable metastatic disease. Metastatic disease must be biopsy proven. a. Since histologic type, lymphatic permeation, blood vessel invasion, and degree of anaplasia may be prognostic variables, appropriate slides of the primary lesion will be requested for future review. HER2, estrogen, and progesterone receptor positivity will be recorded. 2. Measurable lesion. Patients are required to have at least one measurable non-bone lesion ≥10 mm that has not been irradiated. a. Measurable metastatic disease documented by radiograph, CT scan, PET/CT, MRI, or physical exam is required. Each subject will be required to have at least one measurable lesion that has not been irradiated with a minimum size in at least one diameter of ≥ 10 mm for liver lesions, lung, skin, and ≥ 15 mm lymph node metastases. Biopsy of recurrent site(s) is not required. 3. Patients must have HER2 status determined by FISH or IHC. HER2 status of positive or negative are both eligible for the study. In order to be eligible for participation in this trial, the patient must also: 4. Be female ≥ 18 years of age 5. Be willing and able to provide written informed consent for the trial. 6. Have a performance status (PS) ECOG 0-1 7. Have a life expectancy ≥ 3 months 8. Be eligible for apheresis, as determined by the Stem Cell Transplant team 9. Demonstrate adequate organ function as defined below, all screening labs should be performed within 10 days prior to apheresis. Absolute lymphocyte count ≥ 500/mm3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1,500 /mcL Platelets ≥ 100,000 / mcL Hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL (or ≥5.6 mmol/L without transfusion or EPO dependency (within 7 days of assessment) BUN ≤ 1.5 X upper limit of normal (ULN) Serum creatinine OR ≤1.5 X upper limit of normal (ULN) OR Measured or calculated creatinine clearance (GFR can also be used in place of creatinine or CrCl) ≥60 mL/min for subject with creatinine levels \> 1.5 X institutional ULN Serum total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 X ULN OR AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) ≤ 2.5 X ULN OR ≤ 5 X ULN for subjects with liver metastases Albumin \>2.5 mg/dL International Normalized Ratio (INR) or Prothrombin Time (PT) ≤1.5 X ULN unless subject is receiving anticoagulant therapy Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) as long as PT or PTT is within therapeutic range of intended use of anticoagulants 10. Female patients of childbearing potential should have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test at screening. If the urine test is positive or cannot be confirmed as negative, a serum pregnancy test will be required. 11. Female patients of childbearing potential must be willing to use an adequate method of contraception as outlined in Section 4.5.2, for the course of the study through 120 days after the last dose of study medication. 12. Patients must have had two or more lines of prior therapy (chemo or hormonal) in the metastatic setting Exclusion Criteria: The patient must be excluded from participating in the trial if the subject: 1. Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving systemic steroid therapy or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to leukapheresis. 2. Has a known history of active TB (Bacillus Tuberculosis) 3. Hypersensitivity to PBZ or any of its excipients. 4. Lack of recovery (i.e., ≤ Grade 1 or baseline prior to last line of cancer therapy) from non-laboratory adverse events except ≤ Grade 2 neuropathy 5. Has history of another malignancy within the past 5 years. Exceptions include basal cell carcinoma of the skin or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has undergone potentially curative therapy or in situ cervical cancer. 6. Has known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Subjects with previously treated brain metastases may participate provided they are stable (without evidence of progression by imaging for at least four weeks prior to the first dose of trial treatment and any neurologic symptoms have returned to baseline), have no evidence of new or enlarging brain metastases, and are not using steroids for at least 7 days prior to leukapheresis. This exception does not include carcinomatous meningitis which is excluded regardless of clinical stability. 7. Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years (i.e. with use of disease modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs). Replacement therapy (e.g., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considered a form of systemic treatment. 8. Has known history of, or any evidence of active, non-infectious pneumonitis. 9. Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy. 10. Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the trial, interfere with the subject's participation for the full duration of the trial, or is not in the best interest of the subject to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator. 11. Is pregnant or breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive children within the projected duration of the trial, starting with the pre-screening or screening visit through 120 days after the last dose of trial treatment. 12. Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-PD-L2 agent. 13. Has Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (HIV 1/2 antibodies) or known history of Hepatitis B (e.g., HBsAg reactive) or Hepatitis C antibody is detected. Note: Patients may be eligible if HCV antibody is detected as long as HCV viral load is undetectable following an FDA approved treatment regimen 14. Has received a live vaccine within 30 days of apheresis. Note: Seasonal influenza vaccines for injection are generally inactivated flu vaccines and are allowed; however intranasal influenza vaccines (e.g., Flu-Mist®) are live attenuated vaccines, and are not allowed. 15. Has a history of significant cardiac disease, including: * History of a recent myocardial infarction (within one year), a past myocardial infarction (more than one year ago) along with current coronary symptoms requiring medications and/or evidence of depressed left ventricular function (LVEF \< 45% by MUGA or ECHO). * Current history of angina/coronary symptoms requiring medications and/or evidence of depressed left ventricular function (LVEF \< 45% by MUGA or ECHO) * Clinical evidence of congestive heart failure requiring medical management (irrespective of ECHO results). 16. Pt may be excluded if, in the opinion of the PI and investigator team, the pt is not capable of being compliant.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Ashley Donihee
Charlottesville, Virginia, 22908, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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