Heat waves vs. tumors: new combo therapy for breast cancer
NCT ID NCT05889390
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether adding a non-invasive heat therapy called modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) to standard chemotherapy can shrink tumors more effectively in women with HER2-negative breast cancer. About 71 participants with stage II-III disease will receive chemo with or without mEHT before surgery. The main goal is to see if the combination reduces tumor size more than chemo alone.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) via Oncotherm EHY-2030 device
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could improve tumor shrinkage before surgery, potentially leading to better outcomes for HER2-negative breast cancer patients.
- What could go wrong
- This is a mid-stage trial with only 71 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The added benefit of mEHT is unproven, and there may be side effects from the device or chemo.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 2/3
Runs two stages together: whether the treatment works, then large-scale confirmation.
- Participants
-
71 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Feb 2023
- Expected to finish
-
Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
-
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. At least 18 years of age 2. Female patient 3. Life expectancy ≥ 6 months 4. De novo histological/cytological diagnosis of HER2-negative (triple-negative or ER/PR+) breast tumor involving one breast 5. Diagnosis of breast tumor ≤ 40 days 6. Locally advanced stage disease (stage II and III) requiring neoadjuvant treatment - according to the following criteria: 1. Primary breast tumor ≥ 20 mm in size and/or 2. Presence of axillary lymph node metastases 3. Optimal surgical intervention without neoadjuvant chemotherapy is not feasible 7. ECOG status: 0-2 8. Suitable for and designated by the investigator for neoadjuvant therapy with wTAX + (carboplatin) + AC chemotherapeutic agent 9. Willingness to participate in the trial and signed the informed consent form for the protocol Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patient is ≤ 18 years of age. 2. Tumor of both breasts. 3. Diagnosis of breast tumor \> 40 days 4. HER2 positive breast tumor 5. Has already received some anticancer therapy 6. Any previous cancer requiring anti-tumor treatment within 5 years prior to selection, except: in situ cervical or uterine cancer and non-melanoma skin cancer. 7. Co-existing serious diseases: 1. Presence of severe neuropathy requiring medical treatment, diabetic neuropathy. 2. Clinically significant hematological, hepatic or renal dysfunction, as defined below: * Neutrophil count \< 1.5 G/L and platelet count \< 100 G/L * bilirubin \> 1.5 times the upper limit of normal range (ULN), except for known Gilbert's disease * AST and/or ALT \> 2.5 times the upper limit of the normal range * Serum creatinine \> 1.5 times the upper limit of the normal range. 3. Clinically significant cardiovascular disease in the medical history, unless the disease is adequately controlled. E.g. New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II or worse congestive heart failure (moderate limitation of physical activity; well-being at rest but normal activity is associated with fatigue, rapid heart rate or dyspnoea). 4. Uncontrolled hypertension with resting systolic ≥ 180 mmHg, resting diastolic ≥ 110 mmHg. 5. Resting sinus tachycardia with a pulse ≥ 110/min. 6. History of sympathetic or treatment-naive cardiac arrhythmia. Atrial fibrillation or flutter controlled with medication is not an exclusion for participation in the study. 7. Major cardiovascular event (e.g. myocardial infarction, unstable angina, cerebral vascular accident (CVA), etc.) in the 6 months prior to randomisation. 8. Active infection or severe underlying disease that renders the patient unfit for treatment according to the study protocol. * A current diagnosis of chronic hepatitis, Hepatitis B surface antigen positive, Hepatitis C antibody positive and/or other clinically active liver disease requiring treatment. * Known HIV infection. * Untreated thyroid disease. * Systemic autoimmune disease. 9. Any psychiatric condition in the medical history that may result in the patient being unable to understand or comply with the requirements of the study, having reduced communication skills or being unable to give informed consent. 8. Need for concomitant anti-tumor therapy in addition to wTAX + (carboplatin) + AC protocol 9. Any active medical device implanted in the anatomical area, such as pacemakers. 10. Known severe hypersensitivity to any of the chemotherapies used in the study. 11. Pregnancy or breast-feeding (patients of childbearing potential must use effective contraception throughout the study and for 3 months after the end of treatment). The method of effective contraception is at the discretion of the investigator. 12. History of drug or alcohol dependence within 6 months prior to screening. 13. Unable to comply with the study plan for medical, psychological, family, geographical or other reasons. 14. Institutionalisation by administrative or judicial decision.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for HER2-negative breast cancer are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
-
Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Semmelweis University
Budapest, Budapest, 1083, Hungary
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Daily pill giredestrant put to the test for sticking with breast cancer treatment
- Can a blood test reveal when breast cancer treatment stops working?
- Can a platform trial match the right drug combo to each tumor?
- Can a Two-Drug combo shrink BRCA-Linked breast tumors?
- Can a new infusion drug shrink Hard-to-Treat breast tumors?
- Can a targeted drug boost hormone therapy against breast cancer?