HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
At Moffitt Cancer Center, we perform extensive cancer studies with a focus on quickly translating our discoveries into better care for our patients. In addition to providing our patients with access to the very latest treatment options, the goal of our clinical trials is to drive science rapidly from general ideas to new treatment approaches to tomorrow’s standard of care. Through our dedication to research and development, we can ultimately enhance the lives of countless people who are—or will be—touched by cancer.
The need for new treatment options for HER2-positive breast cancer
Approximately 15-20% of all breast cancers test positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a protein that promotes cancer growth. The research team at Moffitt developed a groundbreaking vaccine that helps the body’s immune system recognize the HER2 protein on breast cancer cells so that it can target and destroy those cells. This personalized vaccine is created from certain immune cells called dendritic cells, which are harvested from the patient.
In addition to this promising vaccine, the treatment options available to patients who are diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer recently expanded with the introduction of drugs that target the HER2 protein. However, because HER2-positive breast cancer can become resistant to the beneficial effects of these drugs over time, there is a need for additional treatment options.
Moffitt is addressing that need
In clinical trials led by the investigators in our Don & Erika Wallace Comprehensive Breast Program, Moffitt is studying new targeted drugs that show promise for treating patients with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer that is no longer responding to standard therapies. Our goal is to identify drugs that can serve as a new line of attack against HER2 proteins that have become desensitized to the effects of other drugs. To date, studies of the clinical effectiveness of these drugs confirm that we are making significant progress toward this goal.
View Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
If you have questions or would like to explore our HER2-positive breast cancer clinical trials that are currently accepting new patients, you can request an appointment with an oncologist in Moffitt’s breast cancer program by calling 1-888-663-3488 or completing our new patient registration form online. We can provide individualized guidance to help you find the optimal treatment options.