Heart health education with VR for breast cancer patients on certain therapies
Official title: Cardiovascular Health Education Via Virtual Reality for Breast Cancer Survivors Receiving Anthracyclines or Trastuzumab - Phase 2
Run by Virginia Commonwealth University · NCT07426913 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests a virtual reality program to help breast cancer survivors learn about heart health and healthy behaviors while they receive treatments like anthracyclines or trastuzumab.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Virginia Commonwealth University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | Trastuzumab, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, immunotherapy |
| Locations | 3 sites (Richmond, Virginia and 2 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 20, 2026 |
| Main results expected | July 30, 2027 |
| Study ends | September 28, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 22, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07426913 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (18+) with stages 0-III breast cancer actively receiving trastuzumab or an anthracycline-based regimen, able to speak/read English, and currently on immunotherapy.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients not on cardiotoxic therapies or those unable to engage with VR content may see no personal benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This interventional study uses the Survivors' Virtual Reality Survivorship Experience (SurviVRSE) to educate breast cancer patients about cardiovascular risk from treatment. It will assess how usable feasible and acceptable the VR program is, and whether it can increase knowledge about cardiotoxicity and heart-healthy behaviors. The study will enroll about 30 participants and will collect follow-up data on knowledge gains and changes in physical activity and related behaviors. VR content is tailored to individual users and aims to support integration of heart health education into clinical care. The project seeks to inform guidelines to reduce cancer therapy–related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) burden among survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may gain better understanding of CTRCD risk and practical steps to protect heart health during and after cancer therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous uses of VR for health education show promise in improving knowledge and engagement, but application to CTRCD in cancer care is emerging and not yet proven at scale.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age or older * Able to speak and read in English * Actively receiving Trastuzumab or an anthracycline-based treatment * Currently receiving immunotherapy. This includes pembrolizumab and atezolizumab. * Diagnosed with stages 0-III Breast Cancer Exclusion Criteria: \- History of prior Breast Cancer diagnosis (i.e., not their first breast cancer diagnosis)
Where it's running
-
Adult Outpatient Pavilion
Richmond, Virginia, United States Recruiting -
Cellular Immunotherapies and Transplant Department
Richmond, Virginia, United States Recruiting -
VCU Health at Stony Point
Richmond, Virginia, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Arnethea Sutton, Ph.D — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Arnethea Sutton, Ph.D
- Email: careslab@vcu.edu
- Phone: 8048277363
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
3D Heart Strain to Detect Early Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Therapy
This study tests whether 3D echocardiography can detect early heart damage from cancer treatments like anthracyclines or HER2-targeted therapy better than standard 2D methods.
-
Entinostat with Pyrotinib and Endocrine Therapy in HER2-positive, HR-positive Advanced Breast Cancer after Trastuzumab Failure
This study tests whether adding entinostat to pyrotinib and hormone therapy is safe and helps patients with advanced HR+/HER2+ breast cancer who progressed after trastuzumab.
-
Dendritic Cell Vaccine with HER2-targeted Therapy or Nivolumab for Breast Cancer with Leptomeningeal Metastasis
This trial tests a dendritic cell vaccine added to trastuzumab for Her2-positive disease or to nivolumab for Her2-negative disease to see if it can be given safely to people with breast cancer that has spread to the leptomeninges.
-
Brain metastases from breast cancer: see how trastuzumab deruxtecan in CSF relates to effect
This study tests whether levels of trastuzumab deruxtecan in cerebrospinal fluid relate to how well it works for adults with breast cancer that has spread to the brain.
-
Trastuzumab Deruxtecan plus ivonescimab for HR+ HER2-low advanced breast cancer
This study tests whether combining Trastuzumab Deruxtecan with ivonescimab can help people with HR-positive, HER2-low metastatic breast cancer after prior CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy.
-
Pyrotinib and Trastuzumab with Dalpiciclib vs with Docetaxel in advanced HER2-positive breast cancer
This study tests whether an oral regimen of pyrotinib + subcutaneous trastuzumab + dalpiciclib works as well as the standard IV regimen with docetaxel in people with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer who have limited prior treatment.
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.