Testing for cancer cells in the bone marrow of breast cancer survivors at risk of relapse
Official title: PENN-Surveillance Markers of Utility for Recurrence After (Neo)Adjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer
Run by Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine · NCT02732171 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if checking for cancer cells in the bone marrow of women who have finished treatment for breast cancer can help identify those who might need extra therapy to prevent a relapse.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 600 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation, prednisone |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 2016 |
| Main results expected | April 2028 |
| Study ends | April 2030 |
| Registry record updated | August 19, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT02732171 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are women who have completed all primary therapy for invasive breast cancer within the last five years and meet specific risk criteria.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who do not have a history of invasive breast cancer or those who completed their therapy more than five years ago may 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 study involves women who have completed treatment for primary breast cancer within the last five years and are at an increased risk of relapse. Participants will undergo a bone marrow aspirate to check for disseminated tumor cells (DTCs). If DTCs are found, they will be invited to join a separate clinical trial aimed at targeting these cells to prevent recurrence. The study aims to identify patients who may benefit from additional therapy based on their risk status.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could help identify patients at high risk of breast cancer recurrence and provide them with targeted therapies to prevent it.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise in targeting disseminated tumor cells for preventing cancer recurrence, indicating a potential for success in this approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically-confirmed primary invasive breast cancer within 5 years of study entry * Qualifying risk status, at diagnosis utilizing receptor testing by ASCO/CAP guidelines, meeting at least one of the following: * Pathologically-confirmed invasive breast cancer in axillary lymph nodes, regardless of receptors * Primary tumor with triple negative subtype: estrogen receptor (ER) \< 10%, progesterone receptor (PR) \< 10% and negative Her2-overexpression by ASCO-CAP guidelines * Primary tumor that is ER+/Her2 negative/Lymph node negative with a Breast Cancer Recurrence Score of ≥ 25 per the Genomic Health Oncotype DX breast cancer test and/or HighRisk MammaPrint * Evidence of residual disease in the breast on pathologic assessment after neoadjuvant chemotherapy * Completed all primary therapy (surgery, (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant radiation, and/or Her2-directed therapy) for the index malignancy at least 4 weeks prior to study entry. Concurrent receipt of adjuvant endocrine therapy and bone modifying agents is allowed per standard of care. However, tamoxifen is not allowed on recurrence prevention trials that use Hydroxychloroquine. Patients on tamoxifen may still be enrolled on Penn-Surmount as long as the treating physician is aware and tamoxifen can be stopped if patient is DTC positive. * No evidence of local or distant recurrent disease by physical examination, blood tests (CBC, LFTs, Alk Phos), or symptom-directed imaging, per NCCN guidelines. * Adequate bone marrow function as shown by: ANC \>/= 1.5x10\^9/L, Platelets \>/= 100x10\^9/L, Hb \> 9 g/dL * Adequate liver function as shown by: Serum bilirubin \</= 1.5 x ULN, ALT and AST \</= 2.5 x ULN, and INR \</= 1.5 * Normal coagulation studies: PT and PTT ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal per institutional laboratory range * Anti-coagulation is allowed if target INR \</= 1.5 on a stable dose of warfarin or on a stable dose of anticoagulant for \>2 weeks at time of enrollment. For patients on therapeutic anti-coagulants, medication must be clinically held peri-procedure (bone marrow aspirate) per standard clinical management. * Adequate renal function: serum creatinine \</= 1.5 x ULN * Willing to undergo bone marrow aspiration and blood specimen collection per protocol specifications * Age 18 or over and able to give informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Concurrent enrollment on another investigational therapy * Patients receiving chronic, high dose systemic treatment with corticosteroids defined as: chronic use of cortisone \>50mg; hydrocortisone \>40mg, prednisone \>10mg, methylprednisone \>8mg or dexamethasone \>1.5mg; or another immunosuppressive agent. Topical or inhaled corticosteroids are allowed. * EKG demonstrating QTC \> 480 ms * Patients who have any severe and/or uncontrolled medical conditions or other conditions that could affect their participation in the study such as: * History or evidence of increased cardiovascular risk including any of the following: (i) current clinically significant uncontrolled arrhythmias. Exception: Subjects with controlled atrial fibrillation, (ii) History of acute coronary syndromes (including myocardial infarction and unstable angina, coronary angioplasty, or stenting within 6 months prior to enrollment, (iii) Current \>/= Class II congestive heart failure as defined by New York Heart Association * History of pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease or severely impaired lung function with a previously documented spirometry and DLCO that is 50% of the normal predicted value and/or 02 saturation that is 88% or less at rest on room air * Uncontrolled diabetes * Active (acute or chronic) or uncontrolled severe infections * Liver disease such as cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis or chronic persistent hepatitis * A known history of HIV seropositivity as reported by the patient * History of major surgical resection involving the stomach or small bowel, or pre-existing impairment of gastrointestinal function or gastrointestinal disease (e.g., ulcerative disease, Crohn's disease, uncontrolled nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malabsorption syndrome or small bowel resection) * Patients with an active, bleeding diathesis * History of retinopathy or retinal vein occlusion * Female patients who are pregnant or breast feeding. Women of childbearing potential must have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test. * Patients who have received prior treatment with a CDK4/6 inhibitor * Patients with a known hypersensitivity to Hydroxychloroquine or any of its derivatives * Patients with prior hydroxychloroquine exposure for a duration of \> 1 month since the completion of the patient's primary therapy (definitive surgery, (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant radiation, and/or Her2-directed therapy) for the index malignancy * Patients who have initiated bone modifying agents within 3 months prior to study enrollment * A detailed assessment of Hepatitis B/C medical history and risk factors must be done at screening for all patients. HBV DNA and HCV RNA PCR testing are required at screening for all patients with a positive medical history based on risk factors and/or confirmation of prior HBV/HCV infection.
Where it's running
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Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Angela DeMichele, MD — Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine
- Study coordinator: Pauleen Sanchez
- Email: breastcancerclinicaltrials@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
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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.