Breast Cancer

Treatments & research overview

Best-in-class treatments in use today

For breast cancer, there are several effective treatments available, depending on the stage and type of cancer. Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer is often treated with hormone therapies such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors like anastrozole or exemestane. These medications block the body's production of estrogen, which can fuel the growth of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer cells. Another important treatment for breast cancer is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses medications to kill cancer cells and is often used in combination with other treatments. Common chemotherapy medications for breast cancer include paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide. Targeted therapies are also used to treat breast cancer. These medications specifically target cancer cells and can be more effective than traditional chemotherapy. For example, trastuzumab is a targeted therapy that is used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer. This medication attaches to HER2 receptors on cancer cells and helps to slow their growth. Immunotherapies are another type of treatment being used to fight breast cancer. These medications work by stimulating the body's immune system to attack cancer cells. For example, pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy that is used to treat triple-negative breast cancer.

What researchers are actively studying

Researchers are actively studying several new treatments for breast cancer. One area of focus is on developing new targeted therapies that can specifically target cancer cells. For example, researchers are studying medications that target the PI3K/AKT pathway, which is involved in the growth and survival of cancer cells. Another area of focus is on developing new immunotherapies that can stimulate the body's immune system to attack cancer cells. Researchers are studying medications that target the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, which is involved in the immune system's response to cancer. Researchers are also studying new combinations of existing treatments to see if they can be more effective than current therapies. For example, researchers are studying the combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy to see if it can be more effective than chemotherapy alone.

Where the evidence stands

The evidence for these new treatments is still emerging, and many are in the early stages of research. Some are in Phase 1 or Phase 2 clinical trials, which means they are being tested in small groups of people to see if they are safe and effective. Others are in preclinical studies, which means they are being tested in the lab before they are tested in people. A few treatments are in Phase 3 clinical trials, which means they are being tested in larger groups of people to see if they are safe and effective. These treatments are closer to being approved for use in patients, but more research is needed before they can be widely available.

What this means for people affected

The research landscape for breast cancer is complex and constantly evolving. There are many treatment options available, and researchers are actively studying new treatments that may be more effective than current therapies. While there are still gaps in our understanding of breast cancer, the field is moving forward, and new treatments are being developed all the time.

AI-generated summary · last updated March 6, 2026

Recent research findings

Phase 2 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Entrectinib for Solid Tumors

This trial is studying the effect of entrectinib on various solid tumors with specific genetic changes. The trial is currently active but not recruiting new patients. Researchers are exploring whether entrectinib can help treat these types of cancers.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find a new treatment option for patients with solid tumors that have certain genetic changes.

The trial is not recruiting new patients and is still in an early stage of research.

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Phase 2 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Radium Therapy for Advanced Breast Cancer

This trial is studying the addition of radium therapy to chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer that has spread to the bones. The trial is currently active but not recruiting new participants. Researchers are exploring whether this combination is effective.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new ways to treat advanced breast cancer that has spread to the bones.

The trial is currently not recruiting new participants and is in an early stage with limited data.

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Phase 2 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Tamoxifen and Omega-3 for Breast Cancer Risk

This trial is studying whether low-dose tamoxifen with or without omega-3 fatty acids can reduce breast cancer risk. The trial is currently recruiting participants with certain breast conditions. It's unclear what the results will show.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new ways to reduce breast cancer risk in people with certain breast conditions.

The trial is currently recruiting and is in an early stage, so limited data is available.

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Phase 1 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Trial for Metastatic Breast Cancer

This trial is studying a new combination of treatments for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. It's adding an anti-cancer drug to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The trial is currently recruiting participants.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new ways to treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, a condition with limited treatment options.

The trial is in its early stage and currently recruiting, so limited data is available.

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Phase 2 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Tamoxifen Dose Trial for Breast Cancer

This trial is studying the best dose of tamoxifen to reduce breast cancer risk in premenopausal women. The trial is currently recruiting participants. Researchers will collect data to determine the most effective dose.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find a way to reduce breast cancer risk in premenopausal women with certain breast conditions.

The trial is in its early stage and is currently recruiting participants, so limited data is available.

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Phase 2 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Talazoparib Trial for Advanced Cancer

This trial is studying the effects of talazoparib in patients with advanced cancer and DNA repair variations. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It aims to measure how well talazoparib works in these patients.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help determine if talazoparib is a useful treatment option for patients with advanced cancer and specific genetic characteristics.

The trial is currently recruiting and is in an early stage, so limited data is available.

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Phase 1 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Trial Tests New Combo for Advanced Breast Cancer

This trial is studying a new combination of treatments for advanced triple-negative breast cancer. It's adding an anti-cancer drug called ZEN-3694 and a PD-1 inhibitor to standard chemotherapy. The trial is currently recruiting participants.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new and more effective treatments for advanced triple-negative breast cancer.

The trial is in its early stage and currently recruiting participants, so limited data is available.

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Phase 3 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer

This trial is studying hormone therapy with or without chemotherapy for women who have had surgery for node-negative breast cancer. The trial is currently active but not recruiting new participants. Researchers are still gathering information.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help determine the best treatment approach for women with certain types of breast cancer.

The trial is no longer recruiting new participants.

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Phase 1 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Trial Tests Two Anti-Cancer Drugs

This trial is studying the combination of two anti-cancer drugs, DS-8201a and AZD6738, for advanced solid tumors with the HER2 protein or gene. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It's too early to know if this treatment will be effective.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it could potentially lead to new treatment options for people with advanced solid tumors.

The trial is in its early stage and is still recruiting participants, so limited data is available.

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Phase 1 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Trial Tests Combo Cancer Treatment

This trial is studying the safety of combining two anti-cancer drugs, CX-5461 and Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, for treating HER2-positive solid tumors and breast cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It's too early to know if this combination will be effective.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may lead to new treatment options for people with HER2-positive breast cancer and other solid tumors.

The trial is in its early stages and still recruiting participants, so limited data is available.

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Phase 2 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Breast Cancer Prevention Trial

This trial is studying whether acolbifene or low-dose tamoxifen can prevent breast cancer in premenopausal women at high risk. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It's too early to know if either treatment will be effective.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new ways to prevent breast cancer in women who are at high risk of developing the disease.

The trial is in its early stages and is still recruiting participants, so limited data is available.

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Phase 2 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Genetic Testing for Cancer Treatment

This trial is studying how genetic testing can help guide targeted therapy for patients with advanced solid tumors. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It's unclear what the outcomes will be.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help find new ways to treat advanced cancers using targeted therapies based on genetic information.

The trial is currently recruiting and is in an early stage, so limited data is available.

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Phase 2 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Vaccine Added to Treatment for Metastatic Breast Cancer

This trial is studying the addition of an individualized vaccine to a combination of treatments for metastatic triple negative breast cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It's too early to know if this approach will be effective.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it could potentially lead to a new treatment option for patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer.

The trial is still in the early stages and recruiting participants, so limited data is available.

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Phase 3 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Immunotherapy for Stage II-III Breast Cancer

This trial is studying the addition of an immunotherapy drug, MEDI4736, to the usual chemotherapy treatment for stage II-III breast cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It aims to explore the potential benefits of combining these treatments.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help determine if adding immunotherapy to chemotherapy improves outcomes for people with stage II-III breast cancer.

The trial is currently recruiting and no results are available yet.

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Phase 2 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Vaccine Trial for HER-2 Breast Cancer

This trial is studying a vaccine to prevent recurrence in patients with HER-2 positive breast cancer. The trial is currently active but not recruiting new participants. It's too early to know if the vaccine will be effective.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it could potentially lead to a new way to prevent breast cancer from coming back in people with HER-2 positive breast cancer.

The trial is in an early stage and not recruiting new participants.

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Phase 2 TrialMarch 5, 2026

Genetic Testing Guides Cancer Treatment

This trial is studying how genetic testing can help guide treatment for patients with advanced cancers. The trial is currently active but not recruiting new patients. It's exploring whether targeted therapies can be effective for various types of cancer.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it could help determine if genetic testing can improve treatment outcomes for patients with advanced cancers.

The trial is not recruiting new patients and is still in an early stage.

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Phase 1 TrialMarch 4, 2026

Trial for Metastatic Breast Cancer

This trial is studying a new treatment called RYZ101 for women with metastatic breast cancer that is estrogen receptor-positive and HER2-negative. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It's too early to know if this treatment will be effective.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may lead to a new treatment option for women with advanced breast cancer.

The trial is in its early stage and currently recruiting participants, so limited data is available.

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Animal StudyMarch 3, 2026

New Lead in Breast Cancer Prevention

Researchers studied a potential way to prevent certain types of breast cancer. They found that a compound called IRX4204 may delay tumor onset in mouse models with specific genetic traits. However, it's still unclear if this will work in humans.

Why it matters: This finding matters because it could lead to new strategies for preventing breast cancer in people with specific genetic risks.

This is an early, animal-only study, and more research is needed to determine if the results will apply to humans.

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Observational StudyMarch 2, 2026

Social Support Helps Breast Cancer Patients

Researchers studied 226 breast cancer patients during chemotherapy and found that those with higher social support had better physical activity and less fatigue. The patients were divided into three groups based on their activity and fatigue levels. It appears that social support may be a key factor in determining which group a patient falls into.

Why it matters: This finding matters because it could help identify patients who may need extra support during chemotherapy and inform targeted interventions to improve their quality of life.

This is an early study with a relatively small sample size of 226 patients.

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Phase 1/2 TrialMarch 2, 2026

Breast Cancer Treatment Switch Study

This trial is studying the effects of switching between two targeted treatment strategies for HER-2 positive advanced or metastatic breast cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. It's unclear what the outcomes will be.

Why it matters: This trial matters because it may help determine the best treatment approach for patients with HER-2 positive advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have progressed on initial treatment.

The trial is currently recruiting and the phase is not specified, indicating that it may be in an early stage with limited data available.

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Related clinical trials

PHASE1RECRUITING

Testing the Addition of Anti-Cancer Drug, ZEN003694 (ZEN-3694) and PD-1 Inhibitor (Pembrolizumab), to Standard Chemotherapy (Nab-Paclitaxel) Treatment in Patients With Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

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PHASE1RECRUITING

Testing the Safety of the Combination of Anti-Cancer Drugs CX-5461 (Pidnarulex) and Trastuzumab Deruxtecan (T-DXd) for Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-Positive Solid Tumors and Breast Cancer

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NAACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Partial Irradiation and Sequential vs. Concurrent Chemo Early Breast Cancer

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PHASE4RECRUITING

Pharmacokinetic Study of Skeletal Muscle Area-based Paclitaxel Infusion in Patients With Cancer

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PHASE3ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Hormone Therapy With or Without Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Women Who Have Undergone Surgery for Node-Negative Breast Cancer (The TAILORx Trial)

NCT00310180
PHASE2ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Testing the Addition of Radium Therapy (Radium-223 Dichloride) to the Usual Chemotherapy Treatment (Paclitaxel) for Advanced Breast Cancer That Has Spread to the Bones

NCT04090398
RECRUITING

Clinical, Laboratory, and Epidemiologic Characterization of Individuals and Families at High Risk of Melanoma

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PHASE2ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

A Phase II/III Trial of Nivolumab, Ipilimumab, and GM-CSF in Patients With Advanced Melanoma

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PHASE2RECRUITING

Testing the Addition of an Individualized Vaccine to Durvalumab and Tremelimumab and Chemotherapy in Patients With Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer

NCT03606967
PHASE3RECRUITING

Adding an Immunotherapy Drug, MEDI4736 (Durvalumab), to the Usual Chemotherapy Treatment (Paclitaxel, Cyclophosphamide, and Doxorubicin) for Stage II-III Breast Cancer

NCT06058377