Changing the tumor environment to prevent relapse and lung spread in triple negative breast cancer
Therapeutic targeting of the tumor microenvironment in triple negative breast cancer patients at high risk of relapse and preclinical models of lung metastases
This project gives a long‑term copper‑lowering medicine called tetrathiomolybdate to people with high‑risk triple negative breast cancer alongside standard chemotherapy and immunotherapy to help stop cancer from coming back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lebanon, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11306075 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you'll get a copper‑lowering drug called tetrathiomolybdate for three years in addition to the usual six months of capecitabine and pembrolizumab after surgery. The idea is that lowering copper disrupts tumor‑supporting bone marrow cells, enzymes like LOX, collagen remodeling, and cancer cell energy use so that fewer cancer cells can settle and grow in the lungs or elsewhere. Earlier Phase II work in 75 breast cancer patients showed reduced circulating VEGFR2+ EPCs, over 50% lower LOX levels, normalization of collagen, good tolerability, and few relapses after four years on the drug. This small Phase Ib trial will focus on safety and signs that adding the copper‑lowering drug lowers relapse risk in people with high‑risk triple negative breast cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with triple‑negative breast cancer judged at high risk of relapse (for example, residual cancer burden class 2 after surgery) who are eligible for adjuvant capecitabine and pembrolizumab.
Not a fit: People with other breast cancer subtypes, low relapse risk, or medical conditions that prevent long‑term copper‑lowering therapy are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce the chance of recurrence and lung metastases in high‑risk triple negative breast cancer by altering the tumor‑supporting environment.
How similar studies have performed: A prior Phase II trial of tetrathiomolybdate in 75 high‑risk breast cancer patients showed promising biological effects and good tolerability, but combining it with capecitabine and pembrolizumab is a new approach.
Where this research is happening
Lebanon, United States
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic — Lebanon, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vahdat, Linda Theresa — Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic
- Study coordinator: Vahdat, Linda Theresa
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.