Investigating if some patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer can be cured
Official title: Can a subset of patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer be cured?
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11060038 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how some patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer might be able to achieve a cure using new targeted treatments, and it will track tiny amounts of cancer DNA in their blood to see if they can safely stop treatment when there’s no sign of disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $258,035 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA252639-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11060038 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer who are currently undergoing treatment and may have no evidence of disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with HER2-negative breast cancer or those who have not responded to HER2-targeted therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer, exploring the potential for a subset of these patients to achieve a cure through advanced HER2-targeted therapies. The study aims to track minimal residual disease (MRD) in the blood using a highly sensitive blood test that detects specific tumor mutations in cell-free DNA. By identifying clinical predictors and utilizing innovative biomarkers, the research seeks to optimize treatment strategies and determine if therapy can be safely stopped in patients who show no evidence of disease. This approach could redefine treatment paradigms for patients with advanced breast cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a curative treatment approach for certain patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results with similar approaches in tracking minimal residual disease in various cancers, indicating potential for success in this area as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parsons, Heather Anne — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Parsons, Heather Anne
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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.