A Phase II Study of Biomarker-Guided De-escalation Using Anthracycline-Free Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy in Early-Stage Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Patients With High Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) (NCT07743190)
NeoTILs: A Phase II Study of Biomarker-Guided De-escalation Using Anthracycline-Free Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy in Early-Stage Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Patients With High Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
This study tests a new treatment approach for people with early-stage triple negative breast cancer whose tumors have a high number of immune cells, called tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes or TILs, as seen by a pathologist on tissue review. A high TIL count is a sign the cancer may respond especially well to chemotherapy and immunotherapy together, meaning more toxic treatment may not be needed for everyone. All patients with high TILs will receive 12 weeks of chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab before surgery, without anthracyclines, a class of chemotherapy drugs that is effective but carries risks of heart damage and, rarely, bone marrow disorders or leukemia. Patients with no cancer found at surgery continue on pembrolizumab alone. Those with residual cancer receive anthracycline-based chemotherapy plus pembrolizumab, closer to current standard treatment. The goal is to personalize treatment, sparing anthracyclines for patients likely to do well without them while reserving stronger therapy for those who need it. The main measure of success is the pathologic complete response rate, with cancer-free survival and overall survival also assessed.
Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.
Location: SUNY Upstate Medical University — Syracuse, New York
Age range: 18 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistFull eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria ↗
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (2 Sites)
- SUNY Upstate Medical University — Syracuse, New York
- Medical University of South Carolina Hollings Cancer Center, — Charleston, South Carolina
📞 Contact the Study Coordinator
Phone: (843) 792-9321
Email: hcc-clinical-trials@musc.edu
Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
More studies in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
- OCTANE: Adjuvant Liposomal Doxorubicin and Carboplatin for Early-stage Triple-negative Breast Cancer — Elizabeth, New Jersey
- PQ203 in Advanced Malignant Tumors Including Triple Negative Breast Cancer — Houston, Texas
- Phase 1 Study of a Self-amplifying RNA Vaccine (ITI-5000) in Stage 2-3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer — Grand Rapids, Michigan
- A Nurse-Led, Coping and Supportive Intervention for Patients With Triple-Negative Breast Cancer — Boston, Massachusetts
Explore by condition: All Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.