Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer

This trial tests neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (a hormone therapy) to determine if it can reduce the chance of leaving cancer cells behind during surgery in women with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). The focus is on those undergoing breast-conserving surgery. Eligible participants are postmenopausal women with a specific type of breast cancer (ER+/HER2-) who plan to have breast-conserving surgery. The goal is to assess whether this treatment can enhance surgical success by reducing cancer in the tissue edges. As a Phase 2 trial, this research measures the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group of participants.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Research has shown that neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) is generally safe for patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. Real-world data indicates that NET is effective and safe for postmenopausal women with this type of breast cancer.

Studies have found that NET performs as well as chemotherapy but with significantly fewer side effects. Many patients tolerate NET well, experiencing fewer negative effects compared to more aggressive treatments like chemotherapy. However, any treatment can have side effects, which may vary from person to person.

Most treatments for ER+/HER2- breast cancer, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, focus on directly removing or destroying cancer cells. However, neoadjuvant endocrine therapy is unique because it targets hormone receptors to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells before surgery. This approach is particularly exciting for researchers because it can shrink tumors, making surgery less invasive and more effective. Additionally, by focusing on hormone pathways, this therapy may offer fewer side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy, improving the overall quality of life for patients.

Research has shown that neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) can be as effective as chemotherapy for treating hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. In this trial, participants with ER+/HER2- breast cancer will receive NET. Studies have found that using NET before surgery can be more effective than immediate surgery. NET helps by shrinking tumors and reducing the risk of leaving cancer cells behind after surgery. This treatment is popular because it targets hormone receptors, which are common in many breast cancers. Overall, NET has shown promising results in managing early-stage breast cancer before surgery.²⁴⁶⁷⁸