HER3-DXd and T-DXd combo therapy in HR-positive, HER2-low/ultralow breast cancer
Official title: A Phase 1b/2, Multicenter, Open-label, Dose Regimen Determination and Dose Expansion Trial to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Anti-tumor Activity, and an Optimal Dose Regimen of Patritumab Deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) With Trastuzumab Deruxtecan (T-DXd) in Participants With Hormone Receptor Positive, HER2-low or HER2-ultralow, Unresectable or Metastatic Breast Cancer (HERTHENA-Breast02)
Run by Daiichi Sankyo · NCT07701941 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests a combination of patritumab deruxtecan and trastuzumab deruxtecan in people with HR-positive, HER2-low or HER2-ultralow unresectable or metastatic breast cancer to see if it is safe and shows anti-tumor activity.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase1; Phase2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 220 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Daiichi Sankyo Industry-sponsored |
| Drugs / interventions | bevacizumab, cetuximab, chemotherapy, radiation, prednisone |
| Locations | 72 sites (Los Angeles, California and 71 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 17, 2026 |
| Main results expected | January 1, 2031 |
| Study ends | May 1, 2032 |
| Registry record updated | October 1, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07701941 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults with unresectable or metastatic HR-positive, HER2-low or ultralow breast cancer, whose tumors are locally characterized as HER2-low/ultralow and who have suitable organ function.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients whose tumors do not respond to HER3-DXd and T-DXd or who experience unacceptable toxicity may not benefit.
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 1/2 interventional study evaluating two antibody-drug conjugates given together in patients with HR-positive, HER2-low or ultralow breast cancer that cannot be fully removed or has spread. The study aims to determine safety, tolerability, and preliminary anti-tumor activity of the combination dosing regimens. Participants are assigned based on local HER2 testing and disease status, with Part 1 using local HER2 status for dose regimen determination and Part 2 confirming central eligibility. The trial is sponsored by Daiichi Sankyo with Merck as a collaborator and is conducted at select U.S. sites.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the combination could provide a new treatment option that targets HER2-low/ultralow tumors in HR-positive breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in HER2-low/ultralow settings have shown activity with HER2-targeted therapies, but the safety and efficacy of this exact combination are still being explored.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Key Inclusion Criteria:
1. Pathologically documented breast cancer that meets the following:
1. Unresectable or metastatic.
2. HR+ based on testing performed locally. HR+ (estrogen receptor \[ER\] and/or progesterone receptor \[PgR\] positive \[ER or PgR greater than equal to (≥)1 percent (%)\] per American Society of Clinical Oncology \[ASCO\]/College of American Pathologists \[CAP\] 2020 guidelines) in the unresectable or metastatic setting.
3. Assessed as HER2-low (defined as Immunohistochemistry (IHC)2+/In-situ hybridization (ISH)- or IHC1+) or HER2-ultralow (defined as IHC 0 with any membrane staining in greater than (\>) 0 and lesser than equal to (≤)10% of the cancer cells) locally for Part 1 and centrally for Part 2. The HER2 result must be from a tumor sample obtained in the unresectable or metastatic setting.
* For Dose Regimen Determination (Part 1), HER2 status used for eligibility assessment must be determined locally (according to applicable regulations) using the PATHWAY anti-HER2/neu (4B5) Rabbit Monoclonal Primary Antibody (Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.). Additional HER2 testing will be performed locally and according to applicable regulations using the prescribed test during Screening only if prior results obtained with this test are not available for eligibility assessment.
* For Dose Expansion (Part 2), HER2 testing will be performed prospectively at a central laboratory using the pretreatment tumor tissue sample.
2. Provides a pretreatment tumor tissue sample that meets one of the following collection requirements:
1. Tissue biopsy collected from ≥1 lesion not previously irradiated and performed since progression with the most recent systemic cancer therapy regimen and prior to signature of the Tissue Screening informed consent form (ICF) (ARCHIVAL PRETREATMENT sample).
OR
2. Newly obtained pretreatment tumor biopsy from ≥1 lesion not previously irradiated and amenable to sampling, after signature of the Tissue Screening ICF (FRESH PRETREATMENT sample).
3. Documented radiologic disease progression as per investigator assessment per RECIST v1.1 criteria (during or after most recent treatment).
4. Documented refractoriness to endocrine therapy, defined as disease progression on one or more line of endocrine therapy in the unresectable or metastatic setting and determined by the investigator that participant would no longer benefit from further treatment with endocrine therapy.
5. Prior treatment with a Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor in any setting. Subsequent endocrine therapies administered after progression on CDK4/6 inhibitor are allowed.
6. Participants with genomic alterations/mutations (Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-Bisphosphate 3-Kinase Catalytic Subunit Alpha (PIK3CA), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), AKT, or Breast Cancer gene (BRCA)1/2) who are eligible for approved targeted therapies in combination with endocrine therapy or as monotherapy (according to local label and availability) must have received the corresponding therapy prior to enrollment, unless contraindicated or not accessible in their country/region.
7. No prior chemotherapy for unresectable or metastatic breast cancer. Participants who have received chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting are eligible.
8. ECOG performance status 0 or 1 at the time of Screening.
9. Has ≥1 measurable lesion on CT or MRI per RECIST v1.1 by investigator assessment.
10. Has adequate bone marrow reserve and organ function based on local laboratory data within 7 days prior to the first dose as specified in the protocol.
Key Exclusion Criteria:
1. Prior treatment with an anti-HER3 antibody and/or antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that consists of a topoisomerase I inhibitor (e.g., T-DXd) or any other topoisomerase I inhibitor therapy.
2. Has any history of interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis irrespective of steroid use, or current ILD, or suspected ILD, or ILD that cannot be ruled out by imaging at Screening. Examples of suspected ILD/pneumonitis by imaging include the presence of lung parenchymal fibrosis, such as CPFE, and any radiographic features consistent with ILA, including but not limited to, extensive ground glass opacities, reticular opacities, traction bronchiectasis, and honeycombing. Participants may be eligible if they had history of radiation pneumonitis that did not require steroids.
3. Is receiving chronic systemic corticosteroids dosed at \>10 mg prednisone daily or equivalent anti-inflammatory activity or any form of immunosuppressive therapy prior to randomization. Participants who require use of bronchodilators, inhaled or topical steroids, or local steroid injections may be included in the trial.
4. Evidence of spinal cord compression or brain metastases, defined as being clinically active and symptomatic, or requiring therapy with corticosteroids or anticonvulsants to control associated symptoms. Participants with clinically inactive or treated brain metastases who are asymptomatic (i.e., without neurologic signs or symptoms and do not require treatment with corticosteroids or anticonvulsants) may be included in the trial but must have a stable neurologic status for ≥4 weeks prior to Cycle 1 Day 1. Participants with asymptomatic brain metastases and treated with anticonvulsants as prophylaxis can enroll.
5. Inadequate washout period of prior treatment before randomization:
1. Whole brain radiation therapy less than (\<)28 days.
2. Monoclonal antibodies other than immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (e.g., bevacizumab) and anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (e.g., cetuximab) \< 28 days.
3. Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy \<21 days.
4. Major surgery (excluding placement of vascular access) \<28 days.
5. Radiotherapy treatment to more than 30% of the bone marrow or wide field radiation or palliative stereotactic radiation to chest \<28 days or palliative stereotactic radiation therapy to other anatomic areas \<14 days.
6. Chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine ≤14 days.
7. Hormonal therapy \<21 days prior to first dose of HER3-DXd.
8. Live or live attenuated virus vaccination \<30 days.
6. Uncontrolled or significant cardiovascular disease, including any of the following:
1. QTcF prolongation interval \>450 milliseconds (ms) (average of triplicate determinations at screening).
2. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤50%.
3. Resting systolic blood pressure \>160 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or diastolic blood pressure \>100 mmHg.
4. Myocardial infarction within 6 months.
5. New York Heart Association (NYHA) Classes 3 or 4 congestive heart failure.
6. Uncontrolled angina pectoris within 6 months.
7. Cardiac arrhythmia requiring ongoing antiarrhythmic treatment.
8. Diagnosed or suspected long QT syndrome or known family history of long QT syndrome.
9. History of clinically relevant ventricular arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or Torsade de Pointes.
10. Bradycardia of \<50 beats per minute (bpm) unless the participant has a pacemaker.
11. History of second- or third-degree heart block. Participants with a history of heart block may be eligible if they currently have pacemakers and have no history of fainting or clinically relevant arrhythmia with pacemakers.
12. Coronary/peripheral artery bypass graft within 6 months.
13. Complete left bundle branch block.
7. Has history of other active malignancy within 3 years prior to randomization, except the following:
1. Adequately resected nonmelanoma skin cancer.
2. Adequately treated intraepithelial carcinoma of the cervix.
3. Any other curatively treated in situ disease.
4. Prostate carcinoma with a prostate-specific antigen value \<0.2 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).
8. Has unresolved toxicities from previous anticancer therapy, defined as toxicities (other than alopecia) not yet resolved to National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0 (NCI-CTCAE v5.0) Grade ≤1 or baseline.
9. Any known contraindication to treatment, including hypersensitivity to either the drug substances or inactive ingredients in the drug products.
Note: Other protocol specified inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply.
Where it's running
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David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, United States Recruiting -
Tokai University Hospital
Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan Recruiting -
National Cancer Center Hospital
Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan Recruiting -
Cancer Institute Hospital of JFCR
Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan Recruiting -
Fukushima Medical University Hospital
Fukushima, Japan Recruiting -
Samsung Medical Center
Seoul, South Korea Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
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Taichung Veterans General Hospital
Taichung, Taiwan Recruiting -
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center - Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute
Los Angeles, California, United States Not yet recruiting -
Stanford Medicine Cancer Center
Stanford, California, United States Not yet recruiting -
University of Colorado Denver - School of Medicine - Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, Colorado, United States Not yet recruiting -
Yale University School of Medicine - Yale Cancer Center
New Haven, Connecticut, United States Not yet recruiting -
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States Not yet recruiting -
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts, United States Not yet recruiting -
Compass Oncology - Rose Quarter Cancer Center
Portland, Oregon, United States Not yet recruiting -
The West Cancer Center
Memphis, Tennessee, United States Not yet recruiting -
SCRI Oncology Partners
Nashville, Tennessee, United States Not yet recruiting -
University of Texas Southwestern
Dallas, Texas, United States Not yet recruiting -
Virginia Oncology Associates
Norfolk, Virginia, United States Not yet recruiting -
Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc
Brussels, Belgium Not yet recruiting -
UZ Leuven
Leuven, Belgium Not yet recruiting -
Centre Francois Baclesse
Caen, France Not yet recruiting -
Centre Georges Francois Leclerc
Dijon, France Not yet recruiting -
Centre Oscar Lambret
Lille, France Not yet recruiting -
Centre Leon Berard
Lyon, France Not yet recruiting -
Institut Paoli-Calmettes
Marseille, France Not yet recruiting -
ICM - Institut Regional du Cancer de Montpellier
Montpellier, France Not yet recruiting -
Centre Antoine-Lacassagne
Nice, France Not yet recruiting -
CHU de Nimes
Nîmes, France Not yet recruiting -
Institut Curie
Paris, France Not yet recruiting -
Centre Eugene Marquis
Rennes, France Not yet recruiting -
Institut de Cancerologie de l'Ouest - site St-Herblain
Saint-Herblain, France Not yet recruiting -
Oncopole Claudius Regaud
Toulouse, France Not yet recruiting -
Institut de Cancerologie de Lorraine - Alexis Vautrin
Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France Not yet recruiting -
Institut Gustave Roussy
Villejuif, France Not yet recruiting -
Centro Riferimento Oncologico - Aviano
Aviano, Italy Not yet recruiting -
IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori Dino Amadori - IRST S.r.l.
Meldola, Italy Not yet recruiting -
Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori
Milan, Italy Not yet recruiting -
Istituto Europeo di Oncologia
Milan, Italy Not yet recruiting -
Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori
Monza, Italy Not yet recruiting -
Istituto Oncologico Veneto-I.R.C.C.S. - Ospedale Busonera
Padova, Italy Not yet recruiting -
Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana
Pisa, Italy Not yet recruiting -
National Cancer Center Hospital East
Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan Not yet recruiting -
Kanagawa Cancer Center
Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan Not yet recruiting -
Kansai Medical University Hospital
Hirakata, Osaka, Japan Not yet recruiting -
Showa Medical University Hospital
Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan Not yet recruiting -
National Hospital Organization Kyushu Cancer Center
Fukuoka, Japan Not yet recruiting -
Osaka International Cancer Institute
Osaka, Japan Not yet recruiting -
Seoul National University Bundang Hospital
Seongnam-si, South Korea Not yet recruiting -
Seoul National University Hospital
Seoul, South Korea Not yet recruiting -
Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System
Seoul, South Korea Not yet recruiting
+22 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Daiichi Sankyo Contact for Clinical Trial Information
- Email: CTRinfo_us@daiichisankyo.com
- Phone: 9089926400
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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.