AI-guided selection for who might benefit from a second CDK4/6 inhibitor in advanced HR+ HER2- breast cancer.
Official title: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning-Enhanced Biomarker-dRiven CDK4/6 Inhibitor Rechallenge in HR+ HER2- Advanced Breast Tumors.
Run by University of California, San Diego · NCT07227233 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether an AI model can pick people with HR+ HER2- advanced breast cancer who may do better if they try a different CDK4/6 inhibitor plus fulvestrant after progressing on their first CDK4/6 inhibitor.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 105 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Diego Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (La Jolla, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 31, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 2027 |
| Study ends | December 2028 |
| Registry record updated | April 9, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07227233 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults with histologically confirmed HR+ HER2- unresectable or metastatic breast cancer who progressed on a prior CDK4/6 inhibitor, meet ABC7 endocrine-sensitivity criteria, have ECOG 0-2, and can provide a recent tumor biopsy for sequencing.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients whose tumors are not predicted to be sensitive by the AI model, those with non-HR+ or HER2+ disease, those unable to undergo biopsy or sequencing, or those with contraindications to CDK4/6 inhibitors are unlikely to benefit from the rechallenge approach tested here.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a phase II, open-label, randomized controlled single-site trial using a genomic AI model called palbo-VNN to guide treatment choice after progression on a prior CDK4/6 inhibitor. Tumor biopsies taken after the first CDK4/6 inhibitor (within six months of enrollment) will undergo next-generation sequencing and be scored by the model. Participants whose tumors are predicted to be sensitive to a second CDK4/6 inhibitor will be randomized to receive a different CDK4/6 inhibitor plus fulvestrant or physician's choice therapy (excluding CDK4/6 inhibitors). Primary outcomes include progression-free survival, with secondary measures of response rate, clinical benefit, safety, and quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the AI-guided approach could help identify patients who will get longer control of their cancer and higher response rates from a second CDK4/6 inhibitor plus fulvestrant.
How similar studies have gone: Some small clinical reports have shown that switching to a different CDK4/6 inhibitor can work for select patients, but using an AI genomic model like palbo-VNN to guide that rechallenge is novel and not yet proven.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Age \>18 years
2. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-2
3. Ability to understand and sign the informed consent document
4. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
5. Advanced breast cancer (defined as unresectable or metastatic) histologically confirmed hormone receptor positive (HR+) human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) advanced breast cancer per American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (CAP) guidelines.
6. Endocrine-sensitive disease per the 7th International Consensus Conference on Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC7) 2023 guideline: no relapse during the first 2 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy or progression within the first 6 months of first-line endocrine therapy in the metastatic setting.
7. Progression of disease, radiographically per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 criteria or clinically per physician assessment, after a minimum of 6 months of 1 prior line of any CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy plus or minus endocrine therapy in the metastatic setting, or within 6 months of completing adjuvant CDK4/6 inhibitor with endocrine therapy.
8. An additional line of therapy with CDK4/6i is possible and available.
9. Zero to 1 prior line of chemotherapy or antibody-drug conjugates in the metastatic setting.
10. Available next-generation sequencing panel testing results - or possibility to perform next-generation sequencing panel testing - on tumor tissue biopsy collected within 6 months of enrollment but after CDK4/6 inhibitor exposure. Note that If biopsy was performed more than 6 months before enrollment, the patient is not eligible to participate, unless the biopsy is repeated during the prescreening phase. Adequate tissue/testing will be one of these:
1. safe non-osseous tumor site for fresh tissue biopsy and subsequent tissue-based next-generation sequencing testing by any Clinical Laboratory Improvement-certified laboratory. Biopsy and next-generation sequencing testing will be performed as standard of care evaluation.
2. archival non-osseous tumor tissue adequate for standard of care next-generation sequencing testing by any Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-certified labs.
3. prior tissue-based next-generation sequencing testing on tissue that was collected and performed within 6 months of study enrollment.
11. Palbociclib sensitive disease as determined by the palbo-VNN model.
12. Participants can have non-measurable but evaluable disease or measurable disease per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 criteria
13. Participants must have organ and marrow function as defined below:
1. Leukocytes \> 3,000/microliter
2. Hemoglobin \> 8 g/deciliter
3. Absolute neutrophil count \> 1,200/microliter
4. Platelets \> 75,000/microliter
14. For participants of reproductive potential:
1. Females: use of highly effective contraception for at least 1 month before initiation of treatment with study medications (cycle 1 day 1) and agreement to use such a method during study participation and until 3 months after the end of treatment visit. Only non-hormonal contraception (eg., copper intrauterine device, barrier, condoms with spermicidal, sponge with spermicidal, or diaphragm with spermicidal), is allowed.
2. Males: use of condoms or other methods to ensure effective contraception with a partner during study participation and until 3 months after the end of treatment visit. For partners, use of hormonal contraception is allowed.
15. Palliative radiotherapy is allowed.
16. Participants with new or progressive brain metastases (active brain metastases) or leptomeningeal disease are eligible if the treating physician determines that immediate locoregional central nervous system-specific treatment is not required and is unlikely to be required during the first cycle of therapy.
17. Human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load within 6 months are eligible.
18. For participants with evidence of chronic hepatitis B virus infection, the viral load must be undetectable on suppressive therapy, if indicated.
19. Participants with a history of hepatitis C virus infection must have been treated and cured. For participants with hepatitis C virus infection who are currently on treatment, they are eligible if they have an undetectable viral load.
20. Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen are eligible.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Life expectancy less than 6 months.
2. Any medical or psychiatric condition that would prevent the safe use of a CDK4/6 inhibitor or fulvestrant or treatment of physician's choice or the ability to participate in study procedures.
3. Participants who are receiving any other investigational agents within 3 weeks of study enrollment only if there is a known pharmacokinetic interaction with the selected drug. No washout period is otherwise required.
4. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including ongoing or active infection, congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris or cardiac arrhythmia, lung disease requiring continuous oxygen supplementation, decompensated cirrhosis, end-stage kidney disease on dialysis, or psychiatric illness that limits the ability to participate in the study.
5. Unable to have access to abemaciclib, palbociclib, ribociclib, or fulvestrant as a standard of care treatment.
6. Pregnancy or lactation.
Where it's running
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kay Yeung, MD, PhD — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Kay Yeung, MD, PhD
- Email: CancerCTO@health.ucsd.edu
- Phone: 858-822-5354
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.