Assessing the safety of palbociclib with endocrine therapy for breast cancer

A Phase II Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety of Neoadjuvant Palbociclib in Combination With Endocrine Therapy for Post and Pre-menopausal Patients With Early Stage Hormone Receptor Positive and Her-2/Neu Negative Breast Cancer

Phase 2 Interventional University of Nebraska · NCT05069038

This study is testing if a new combination of medications can safely help patients with certain types of breast cancer who can't have chemotherapy before surgery.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment46 (estimated)
Ages19 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorUniversity of Nebraska Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Omaha, Nebraska)
Trial IDNCT05069038 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the safety and effectiveness of neoadjuvant palbociclib, a CDK 4/6 inhibitor, in combination with letrozole and potentially goserelin for patients with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and/or progesterone receptor positive (PR+) breast cancer. The study focuses on patients with locally advanced stage IIA-IIIC breast cancer who are not ideal candidates for chemotherapy. By utilizing pre-operative endocrine therapy, the trial aims to improve overall response rates and surgical feasibility. Participants will be monitored for their response to treatment and any associated side effects.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 19 and older with locally advanced ER+ and/or PR+ HER2- breast cancer who are eligible for palbociclib and endocrine therapy.

Not a fit: Patients with HER2 positive breast cancer or those who are not candidates for endocrine therapy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a more effective pre-operative treatment option for patients with hormone receptor positive breast cancer, potentially improving surgical outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar combinations of CDK 4/6 inhibitors and endocrine therapy in breast cancer treatment, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Histologically confirmed locally advanced stage ER+ and/or PR+ and HER2- breast cancer \[by ASCO/CAP guidelines: primary tumor size 2 cm or greater OR if primary tumor size is \<2 cm with lymph node involvement (Stage II)\] who are candidates for palbociclib in combination with concurrent ovarian suppression and letrozole per treating physician.
2. At least 19 years of age.
3. ECOG performance status ≤ 2 (see Appendix A)
4. Normal bone marrow and organ function as defined below:

   1. Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mcl
   2. Platelets ≥ 100,000/mcl
   3. Total bilirubin ≤ IULN or total bilirubin ≤ 3.0 x IULN with direct bilirubin within normal range in subjects with documented Gilbert's syndrome
   4. AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤ 1.5 x IULN (up to 5 x IULN in subjects with liver disease)
   5. Creatinine ≤ IULN OR creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for subjects with serum creatinine levels above institutional normal
5. Pre-menopausal subjects defined by: Age \<60 with no prior bilateral oophorectomy and having menses in the preceding 12 months in the absence of taking chemotherapy, tamoxifen or torimefene or ovarian suppression. If any of these agents were used, measurements of FSH and estradiol have to be made to determine menopausal status.
6. Post menopausal subjects defined by: Age \>60 Or absence of menstruation in the preceding 12 months without taking chemotherapy, tamoxifen, torimefene or ovarian suppression. If any of these agents were used, measurements of FSH and estradiol have to be made to determine menopausal status. If none of these are applicable fully, subject may be judged premenopausal according to local policies.
7. Participating subjects must agree to use adequate contraception for the duration of protocol treatment and for 6 months after the last treatment with palbociclib. Adequate contraception is defined as one highly effective form (i.e. abstinence, (fe)male sterilization OR two effective forms (e.g. non-hormonal IUD and condom / occlusive cap with spermicidal foam / gel / film / cream / suppository). Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she must inform her treating physician immediately.
8. Able to swallow and retain oral medication.
9. Ability to understand and willingness to sign an IRB approved written informed consent document (or that of legally authorized representative, if applicable).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Prior therapy with any CDK inhibitor.
2. Currently receiving any other investigational agents.
3. Currently receiving exogenous hormone therapy (topical vaginal estrogen therapy is allowed).
4. Known metastatic disease
5. A history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to palbociclib or other agents used in the study.
6. Receiving any medications or substances that are potent inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A isoenzymes within 7 days prior to registration.
7. Clinically significant history of liver disease as defined by active hepatitis and/or cirrhosis with compromised liver function.
8. A condition that would interfere with enteric absorption.
9. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, or cardiac arrhythmia.
10. Pregnant and/or breastfeeding. Women of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test within 7 days of study entry.
11. Known HIV-positivity on combination antiretroviral therapy because of the potential for pharmacokinetic interactions with palbociclib. In addition, these subjects are at increased risk of lethal infections when treated with marrow-suppressive therapy.
12. Male Sex

Where this trial is running

Omaha, Nebraska

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Breast Cancerestrogen receptor positiveprogesterone receptor positiveneo-adjuvant
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.