Clinical trial Recruiting at 5 sites Phase 2 Interventional Ages 18 to 90 Women only

Individualized vaccine for HR+ breast cancer

Official title: Converting HR+ Breast Cancer Into an Individualized Vaccine

Run by Weill Medical College of Cornell University · NCT03804944 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a personalized vaccine combined with standard hormone therapy and radiation to see if it can help newly diagnosed post-menopausal women with a specific type of breast cancer.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 90 Years
SexWomen only
Enrollment100 (estimated)
SponsorWeill Medical College of Cornell University
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionspembrolizumab, chemotherapy, prednisone, immunotherapy, radiation
Locations8 sites (Los Angeles, California and 7 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 17, 2020
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2026
Study endsDecember 31, 2027
Registry record updatedJanuary 28, 2026
Trial IDNCT03804944 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are post-menopausal women aged 18 and older with biopsy-proven ER+ PR+ or PR- HER2- breast cancer at clinical stage II-III.

Probably not a fit

Patients with non-HR+ breast cancer or those who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial involves newly diagnosed post-menopausal women with clinical stage II-III, HR+HER2- breast cancer who will receive 4 months of standard neoadjuvant hormonal therapy with letrozole. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four treatment arms, which include combinations of focal radiation therapy and immunotherapy options such as pembrolizumab or FLT3L. The study spans a total of 5 months, including a follow-up period after breast surgery. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of these treatments in converting breast cancer into a more manageable condition.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more personalized and effective treatment options for patients with HR+ breast cancer.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise with similar immunotherapy approaches, indicating potential for success in this novel application.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Post-menopausal female ≥ 18 years of age (Post-menopausal status defined as either 1) at least 2 years without menstrual period or 2) or patients older than 50 with serological evidence of post-menopausal status or 3) hysterectomized patients of any age with FSH confirmation of post-menopausal status.
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1
* Biopsy proven diagnosis of ER+ PR+ or PR- HER2- breast cancer.
* Clinical stage I(\>1.5cm, if N0) - III breast cancer, as per AJCC staging 8th edition.
* Patient needs to be able to understand and demonstrate willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Adequate bone marrow reserve and liver function:

WBC ≥ 2000/uL Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1500/μL Platelets ≥100 000/μL Hemoglobin ≥9.0 g/dL or ≥5.6 mmol/La Creatinine OR Measured or calculated creatinine clearance (GFR can also be used in place of creatinine or CrCl) ≤1.5 × ULN OR ≥30 mL/min for participant with creatinine levels \>1.5 × institutional ULN Total bilirubin ≤1.5 ×ULN OR direct bilirubin ≤ULN for participants with total bilirubin levels \>1.5 × ULN AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) ≤2.5 × ULN (≤5 × ULN for participants with liver metastases) International normalized ratio (INR) OR prothrombin time (PT) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) ≤1.5 × ULN unless participant is receiving anticoagulant therapy as long as PT or aPTT is within therapeutic range of intended use of anticoagulants

Exclusion Criteria:

* Active connective tissue disorders, such as lupus or scleroderma requiring flare therapy
* Current use of systemic chemotherapy, endoctine therap or HER2-neu targeted therapy
* Post surgical excision of breast cancer.
* Previous radiotherapy of the same breast.
* Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-PD-L2 agent or with an agent directed to another stimulatory or co-inhibitory T-cell receptor (eg, CTLA-4, OX-40, CD137).
* Inability to obtain histologic proof of breast cancer
* Has received a live vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of study drug.

Examples of live vaccines include, but are not limited to, the following: measles, mumps, rubella, varicella/zoster (chicken pox), yellow fever, rabies, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), and typhoid vaccine. Seasonal influenza vaccines for injection are generally killed virus vaccines and are allowed; however, intranasal influenza vaccines (eg, FluMist®) are live attenuated vaccines and are not allowed.

* Is currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational agent or has used an investigational device within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study treatment. Note: Participants who have entered the follow-up phase of an investigational study may participate as long as it has been 4 weeks after the last dose of the previous investigational agent.
* Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving chronic systemic steroid therapy (in dosing exceeding 10 mg daily of prednisone equivalent) or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of study drug.
* Has a known additional malignancy (second primary) that is progressing or has required active treatment within the past 3 years. Note: Participants with basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, or carcinoma in situ (e.g. cervical cancer in situ) that have undergone potentially curative therapy are not excluded.
* Has severe hypersensitivity (≥Grade 3) to pembrolizumab and/or any of its excipients.
* Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years (i.e. with use of disease modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs). Replacement therapy (eg., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considered a form of systemic treatment.
* Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or has current pneumonitis.
* Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy.Has a known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Note: No HIV testing is required unless mandated by local health authority.
* Has a known history of Hepatitis B (defined as Hepatitis B surface antigen \[HBsAg\] reactive) or known active Hepatitis C virus (defined as HCV RNA \[qualitative\] is detected) infection. Note: no testing for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C is required unless mandated by local health authority.
* Has a known history of active TB (Bacillus Tuberculosis). Note: optional based on country.
* Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial.

Where it's running

  • New York Presbyterian Hospital - Queens
    New York, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Weill Cornell Medicine New York Presbyterian Hospital
    New York, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Brooklyn Methodist Hospital - NewYork Presbyterian
    New York, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • UT Southwestern Medical Center
    Dallas, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Houston Methodist Cancer Center
    Houston, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
    Los Angeles, California, United States
    Withdrawn
Show 2 more locations
  • Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai
    New York, New York, United States
    Withdrawn
  • UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
    Withdrawn

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Silvia Formenti, M.D. — Weill Cornell Medicine - New York Presbyterian Hospital
  • Study coordinator: Fabiana Gregucci, M.D.
  • Email: fgr4002@med.cornell.edu
  • Phone: 646 962-3110

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.