NCT05504707 · H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
DecipHER Trial - DC1 Tx for Early-Stage TNBC and ER Low Positive Breast Cancer
(DecipHER)
What this study is about
The purpose of the study is to find out if an experimental vaccine called Dendritic Cell (DC) vaccine given together with the usual treatment chemotherapy drugs can help people with Triple Negative and HR low positive breast cancer.
View original scientific description
The purpose of the study is to find out if an investigational vaccine called Dendritic Cell (DC) vaccine given together with standard of care chemotherapy drugs can help people with Triple Negative and HR low positive breast cancer.
Interventions
BIOLOGICAL
HER2 - primed Dendritic cells
Dendritic cell will be administered at ultra-sound guided injections. Participants will receive 8 intratumoral injections. These injections will be administered twice per week per week (given 3 days apart). Participants will receive alternating injections (3 days apart) of HER2-primed followed by HER3-primed DCs. Participants will be treated at the following dose levels: Dose level 1: HER2 - primed Dendritic cells dose 10-20 million Dose level 2: HER2 - primed Dendritic cells dose 30-50 million Dose level 3: HER2 - primed Dendritic cells dose 80-100 million
BIOLOGICAL
HER3 - primed Dendritic cells
Dendritic cell will be administered at ultra-sound guided injections. Participants will receive 8 intratumoral injections. These injections will be administered twice per week per week (given 3 days apart). Participants will receive alternating injections (3 days apart) of HER2-primed followed by HER3-primed DCs. Participants will be treated at the following dose levels: Dose level 1: HER3 - primed Dendritic cells dose 10-20 million Dose level 2: HER3 - primed Dendritic cells dose 30-50 million Dose level 3: HER3 - primed Dendritic cells dose 80-100 million
Primary outcome measures
Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD)
Time frame: 4 weeks after start of treatment
Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) of HER2- and HER3- primed DC1 study vaccines. The MTD will be defined as the highest dose level at which \< 2 of 6 patients experience dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs).
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
- A diagnosis of HER2-negative breast cancer.
- Diagnosis of HR negative or HR low positive tumor.
- Clinical stage T1c, nodal stage N1-N2 or stage T2-4, nodal stage N0-N2 breast cancer.
- Participant must be medically and surgically appropriate to undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen followed by standard of care local therapy as determined by their treating physician.
- Age ≥18 years.
- ECOG performance status 0 or 1.
- Patients must have normal organ and marrow function, as defined below, within 14 days of registration:
- \*Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1500/μL
- \*Platelets ≥ 75 000/μL
- \*Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x institutional ULN, except patients with Gilbert's syndrome in whom total bilirubin must be \< 3.0 mg/dL
- \*AST/ALT ≤ 3 x institutional ULN
- \*Creatinine ≤ 1.5 x institutional ULN
- Left ventricular ejection fraction above institutional lower limit of normal (by echocardiogram or MUGA scan).
- Female patients of childbearing potential must agree to use dual methods of contraception and have a negative serum pregnancy test at screening. Acceptable methods of contraception are condoms with contraceptive foam, oral, implantable or injectable contraceptives, contraceptive patch, intrauterine device, diaphragm with spermicidal gel, or a sexual partner who is surgically sterilized or post-menopausal. Effective methods of contraception must be used throughout the study and for 5 months following the last dose. To show that women do not have childbearing potential, postmenopausal women must be amenorrheic for at least 12 months naturally (and not because of/following chemotherapy) or patients must be surgically sterile.
- Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent agreement prior to study registration.
Exclusion criteria
- Patients who received prior anthracycline-based chemotherapy for the treatment of any cancer.
- Patients with inflammatory breast cancer.
- Patients must not be receiving any other investigational agents or active antineoplastic therapies.
- Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
- Patients with active autoimmune disease or history of autoimmune disease that might recur, which may affect vital organ function or require immune-suppressive treatment, including chronic prolonged systemic corticosteroid use (defined as corticosteroid use lasting one month or more).
- Female patients who are pregnant or nursing.
- No other prior malignancy is allowed, except for the following: a. adequately treated basal-cell or squamous-cell skin cancer, b. in situ cervical cancer, c. or any other cancer from which the patient has been disease free for at least 3 years.
- History of testing positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
- History of positive test for Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C virus indicating acute or chronic infection.
- Patients who have received a live attenuated vaccine ≤ 30 days prior to registration.
- Unable to comply with the treatment schedule and study procedures for any reason.
- Previously treated with breast cancer-directed vaccine therapies in prior 3 months.
- Previously treated with any form HER2- or HER3-primed DC1 therapy.
Where
- Tampa, Florida
Collaborators
The Shulas' Foundation
Related conditions & keywords
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 Feb 5, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations