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NCT07067138 · National Cancer Institute (NCI)

A Synthetic Lethality-Focused Algorithm to Identify Therapeutic Options in Advanced Metastatic Breast Cancer (SYNTHESIS-Breast)

What this study is about

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in US women. There are different types of breast cancers; some are aggressive and difficult to treat. Researchers want to know if an algorithm (ENLIGHT) can help choose approved drugs that will treat these cancers more effectively. Objective: To test whether ENLIGHT can find better treatments for aggressive breast cancers.

View original scientific description

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in US women. There are different types of breast cancers; some are aggressive and difficult to treat. Researchers want to know if an algorithm (ENLIGHT) can help choose approved drugs that will treat these cancers more effectively. Objective: To test whether ENLIGHT can find better treatments for aggressive breast cancers. Eligibility: People aged 18 years and older with triple-negative or endocrine therapy resistant breast cancer; the cancer must have either failed to respond to treatment or come back after treatment. Design: Participants will be screened. A sample of tissue taken from the tumor will be tested using ENLIGHT as well as another method (TruSight Oncology 500). Participants will be assigned to 1 of 3 groups based on the algorithm search results: Group 1: No drug option was recommended. Participants will continue with their standard treatment with their local doctors. Group 2: A drug already approved for the participant's disease was recommended, but the participant has not yet received it. These results will be sent to the participant's local doctors. Participants may return to the NIH if their disease gets worse after using the suggested drugs. Group 3: A drug approved for other uses was recommended. Participants will be treated with the recommended drugs at the NIH; their care will be managed by an NIH doctor. They will continue to receive treatment as long as the drugs are helping them. They will have follow-up visits for 2 years after treatment ends. Participants who are not treated at the NIH will be contacted for a check on their health every 3 months for 2 years.

Interventions

DEVICE

Expression Networks for highLIGHting Tumor vulnerabilities (ENLIGHT)

This is a computational algorithm that takes RNA-seq data from tumor FFPE blocks and, given a list of pre-specified treatments, generates as output the predicted responses to those treatments.

DEVICE

TruSight(R) Oncology 500

TSO500 uses formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor blocks to generate a 523-gene DNA panel (with tumor mutational burden and microsatellite instability) to assess for biomarkers linked to FDA-approved, on-label therapies as well as whole-exome RNA-seq that can be used with the ENLIGHT algorithm.

DEVICE

TruSeq Matched Tumor Normal Whole Exome Sequencing Assay

The TruSeq Matched Tumor-Normal Whole Exome Sequencing assay is a next-generation sequencing assay that uses tumor DNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor blocks and germline DNA drawn from blood to provide extended sequencing information on the tumor as well as any pathogenic variants, likely pathogenic variants, and variants of uncertain significance in 156 genes from the normal blood sample.

Primary outcome measures

Part A: To assess the feasibility of using the ENLIGHT algorithm to match heavily pretreated participants with metastatic breast cancer to off-label therapies

Time frame: Assessed after the Reporting Visit of the 20th participant to the study, and to be completed before Part B

The number of participants of the first 20 enrolled overall having a match via ENLIGHT and being assigned to Arm 3.

Part B: (If feasibility lead-in met) To assess the objective response rate (ORR) of participants with advanced breast cancer using treatment recommended by the ENLIGHT algorithm

Time frame: Every 2 cycles until progression of disease, completion of treatment, or 2 years after treatment initiation (whichever comes first)

ORR is reported as a single endpoint measure (percentage) at time of interim analysis and at time of study completion and will be accompanied by a 95% confidence interval.

Who can participate

This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants must have a histologically confirmed diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Note: Pathology testing outside NIH will be accepted for eligibility purposes.
  • Participant tumor subtypes will be enrolled as follows:
  • TNBC Cohort: TNBC will be defined as ER \< 10% or PR \< 10% by immunohistochemistry (IHC).
  • Endocrine-Refractory Cohort: HR+ (ER+ and/or PR+) will be defined as ER \>= 10% or PR \>= 10% by IHC.
  • For both cohorts, HER2 will be considered negative if not amplified as per ASCOCAP guidelines per IHC/FISH. Note: HER2-low status will be regarded in accordance with NCCN guidelines (in which this designation serves as a predictive marker for trastuzumab deruxtecan, but participants are otherwise not considered eligible for other HER2-directed therapies).
  • Participants must have been treated with at least one (1) line of systemic therapy after diagnosis of metastatic disease, anticipate or have progressive disease or adverse events requiring discontinuation of their current regimen, and must not be able to transition to another approved systemic therapy shown to improve overall survival. -Participants with HR+ disease must be deemed refractory to endocrine therapy per their clinical team, with concordance by study team. Note: Participants who cannot receive or decline to receive standard therapy that has been shown to prolong overall survival, or if such therapy is not deemed in the participant s best interest, will be eligible, if other eligibility criteria are met. If appropriate, participants may remain on treatment during biopsy, screening and initial tissue review/testing for this study.
  • Participants must have measurable disease per RECIST v1.1. Note: Palliative radiotherapy to site(s) of disease may be completed during screening as long as disease outside of the planned sites of radiation is available for response assessment.
  • Archival tumor (preserved via FFPE) must be available from a biopsy performed within the past 6 months. The timeframe of 6 months is required to optimize reliability of ENLIGHT results. It is assumed that a participant has had no more than one (1) line of systemic treatment since the last biopsy. Participants who have had multiple intervening lines of therapy since biopsy was obtained will be reviewed by the study team to determine if another biopsy may be needed. Note: If archival tissue is not available within that timeframe, tissue from the next scheduled biopsy can be sent to NIH for testing. If it is not possible for a biopsy to be scheduled, the study team will evaluate the possibility of a biopsy being performed at the NIH for enrollment purposes.
  • Age \>=18 years.
  • ECOG performance status \<2 (Karnofsky \>60%)
  • Participants must have organ and marrow function as defined below:
  • Hemoglobin \>= 8g/dL
  • Absolute neutrophil count \>= 1,200/mcL
  • Platelets \>=75,000/mcL
  • Total bilirubin \<= 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (In the case of known Gilbert's Disease, total bili \>1.5 may be considered.) (For participants with known liver involvement, \<=3x institutional upper limit of normal) -AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) \<= 3x institutional upper limit of normal (For participants with known liver involvement, \<=5x institutional upper limit of normal) -Creatinine \< 1.5 x normal institutional limits OR Creatinine clearance \>=30 mL/min/1.73 m2
  • Ability to take oral medications.
  • Participants with an existing diagnosis of diabetes or hypertension, must have disease well-controlled with at least annual physician follow-up.
  • Women of child-bearing potential and men with a partner of child-bearing potential must be willing to use appropriate contraception in the event that they match to a therapy that requires such. The duration of contraception use will depend on the therapy assigned.
  • Willingness to comply with required study procedures and visits for the duration of study.
  • Participants with asymptomatic brain metastases may be included if metastases have been previously treated with local therapy including radiation at least 4 weeks prior to first dose of treatment and there is no indication for additional local therapy (including active progression).
  • Participants with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) must be on an effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load for at least the last 6 months.
  • Participants with evidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, must have HBV viral load that is undetectable on suppressive therapy, if indicated.
  • Participants with a history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection must have been treated and cured. Participants with HCV infection must be currently on treatment, with undetectable HCV viral load.
  • Participants with a prior or concurrent malignancy are eligible if the natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the off-label therapies offered on this study in the opinion of the Principal Investigator (PI) and are otherwise eligible for this trial.
  • Participants with current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history of treatment with cardiotoxic agents, should have a clinical risk assessment of cardiac function using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification. Note: To be eligible for this trial, participants should be class 2B or better.
  • Ability of participant to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion criteria

  • Participants in active visceral crisis, symptomatic brain metastases requiring local therapy, or active leptomeningeal disease given the time required for testing and therapy selection.
  • Participants with uncontrolled intercurrent illness evaluated by physical exam and chemistries or situations that would limit compliance with study requirements, interpretation of results or that could increase risk to the participant.
  • Participants with the following active cardiac conditions: symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris or cardiac arrhythmia (per medical record).
  • Participants with lung disease requiring continuous oxygen supplementation.
  • Participants with decompensated cirrhosis and/or end-stage kidney disease on dialysis.
  • Participants with positive serum or urine beta-HCG pregnancy test performed at screening.
  • Participants who are unable to provide tissue specimens of sufficient quality for use in this study. Quality of DNA and RNA is determined during screening. This may be due to issues with biopsy sample collection, inadequate RNA extraction, or quality control failure. Participants may be re-screened if initial specimens are not adequate, if they are amenable to re-biopsy, and additional site(s) of disease for adequate re-sampling are available.

Where

  • Bethesda, Maryland

Related conditions & keywords

Breast CancerBreast CarcinomaCancer of the BreastMalignant Neoplasm of BreastENLIGHTTriple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)Her2NSR device

Frequently asked questions

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.

Is it safe to participate?

Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.

Will I be compensated?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.

Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?

When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.

Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?

Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

How long does a clinical trial last?

Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.

Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Aug 21, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations

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What participation can include

  • Study-related care provided by the research team
  • Close monitoring by medical professionals
  • Possible compensation for time and travel*
  • The option to withdraw at any time
  • Contributing to medical research that may help future patients

*Compensation varies by study. Confirm details with coordinator.

Typical next steps

  1. 1.Submit this form
  2. 2.Phone screening
  3. 3.In-person assessment if eligible
  4. 4.Begin participation

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Breast Cancer Treatment Options in Bethesda, Maryland

If you're searching for Breast Cancer treatment in Bethesda, participating in a clinical research study may provide access to innovative approaches under expert medical supervision. This study is actively recruiting participants in Bethesda and surrounding areas.

Clinical trials offer participants the opportunity to receive cutting-edge treatments while contributing to medical research that may help future patients with Breast Cancer. All study-related care is provided at no cost to participants.

Local Sites
1 locations in Maryland
Now Enrolling
Up to 175 participants
Quick Start
Screening available now

Why Consider a Clinical Trial for Breast Cancer?

Potential Benefits

  • ✓Access to new treatment approaches before public availability
  • ✓Close monitoring by experienced medical professionals
  • ✓Study-related care provided at no cost
  • ✓Contribute to medical research for Breast Cancer

What to Expect

  • →Initial screening to determine eligibility
  • →Regular check-ups and monitoring visits
  • →Possible compensation for time and travel
  • →You can withdraw at any time

Frequently Asked Questions About This Breast Cancer Study

Important Clinical Trial Information

This information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical trial participation involves potential risks and benefits. Eligibility requirements apply and will be assessed during the screening process.

Study identifier: NCT07067138. For complete study details, visit ClinicalTrials.gov. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making decisions about your medical care or participating in clinical research.