Understanding how male breast tumors respond to hormone therapy

Predicting Endocrine Therapy Response In Male Breast Tumors

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10940688

This study is looking at how well different hormone treatments work for men with a specific type of breast cancer, and it will help us understand which treatments might be best for you by checking your tumor's response to the therapies.

Quick facts

Grant typeR37 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-10940688 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the response of male breast tumors to different endocrine therapies, specifically in patients with ER+/HER2- breast cancer. The ETHAN trial will involve 60 male patients who will be randomly assigned to three different treatment regimens over a short initial phase, followed by a longer treatment period that may include a specific drug called abemaciclib. By analyzing tissue samples before and after treatment, the researchers aim to identify genetic markers that can predict how well these tumors respond to therapy. This study addresses a significant gap in knowledge about male breast cancer treatment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are men diagnosed with ER+/HER2- breast cancer who are eligible for endocrine therapy.

Not a fit: Patients with breast cancer who do not have the ER+/HER2- subtype may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized treatment options for men with breast cancer.

How similar studies have performed: While male breast cancer research is limited, similar studies in female breast cancer have shown that understanding genetic responses can significantly improve treatment outcomes.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Breast CancerBreast Cancer Patient
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.