Converting HR+ Breast Cancer Into an Individualized Vaccine (CBCV)

January 26, 2026 updated by: Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Newly diagnosed post-menopausal women with clinical stage II-III, HR+HER2- breast cancer are eligible to a randomized trial, concurrently open at five US academic institutions. Patients receiving 4 months of standard neoadjuvant hormonal therapy with letrozole are randomly assigned to one of 4 arms of a trial testing focal hypo-fractionated RT alone or with immunotherapy combinations.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Patients will be on the study for a total of 5 months, this includes 4 months on active study intervention, with breast surgery at week 16 and one month follow up period, after surgery. Patients will be randomly assigned to one of these 4 arms - 1. Anti-PD1 antibody pembrolizumab (Keytruda, Merck) will be infused day 12, at the standard dose of 200 mg IV over 30 minutes, repeated every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. 2. FLT3L (CDX-301, the recombinant human protein by Celldex) will be self-administered subcutaneously, in 5 consecutive daily injections, week 1, day 1-5. 3. For all arms radiation therapy to the breast tumor will begin on week 2 (Day 8,10,12), at dose of 8 Gy x 3 fractions, every other day. 4. Letrozole (Femara ®, Novartis) 2.5 mg tabs, once a day, daily for 4 months, until surgery, and thereafter is decided by the treating physician.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
100

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • California
      • Los Angeles, California, United States, 90048
        • Withdrawn
        • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
    • New York
      • New York, New York, United States, 11215
        • Recruiting
        • Brooklyn Methodist Hospital - NewYork Presbyterian
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Hani Ashamalla, M.D.
        • Contact:
      • New York, New York, United States, 10065
        • Recruiting
        • New York Presbyterian Hospital - Queens
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Akkamma Ravi, M.D.
      • New York, New York, United States, 10065
        • Recruiting
        • Weill Cornell Medicine New York Presbyterian Hospital
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Silvia Formenti, M.D.
        • Contact:
      • New York, New York, United States, 10027
        • Withdrawn
        • Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai
    • Pennsylvania
      • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15232
        • Withdrawn
        • UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
    • Texas
      • Dallas, Texas, United States, 75390-9179
        • Recruiting
        • UT Southwestern Medical Center
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Heather McArthur, M.D.
      • Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
        • Recruiting
        • Houston Methodist Cancer Center
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Jenny Chang, M.D.

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

14 years to 86 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Post-menopausal female ≥ 18 years of age (Post-menopausal status defined as either 1) at least 2 years without menstrual period or 2) or patients older than 50 with serological evidence of post-menopausal status or 3) hysterectomized patients of any age with FSH confirmation of post-menopausal status.
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1
  • Biopsy proven diagnosis of ER+ PR+ or PR- HER2- breast cancer.
  • Clinical stage I(>1.5cm, if N0) - III breast cancer, as per AJCC staging 8th edition.
  • Patient needs to be able to understand and demonstrate willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Adequate bone marrow reserve and liver function:

WBC ≥ 2000/uL Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1500/μL Platelets ≥100 000/μL Hemoglobin ≥9.0 g/dL or ≥5.6 mmol/La Creatinine OR Measured or calculated creatinine clearance (GFR can also be used in place of creatinine or CrCl) ≤1.5 × ULN OR ≥30 mL/min for participant with creatinine levels >1.5 × institutional ULN Total bilirubin ≤1.5 ×ULN OR direct bilirubin ≤ULN for participants with total bilirubin levels >1.5 × ULN AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) ≤2.5 × ULN (≤5 × ULN for participants with liver metastases) International normalized ratio (INR) OR prothrombin time (PT) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) ≤1.5 × ULN unless participant is receiving anticoagulant therapy as long as PT or aPTT is within therapeutic range of intended use of anticoagulants

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Active connective tissue disorders, such as lupus or scleroderma requiring flare therapy
  • Current use of systemic chemotherapy, endoctine therap or HER2-neu targeted therapy
  • Post surgical excision of breast cancer.
  • Previous radiotherapy of the same breast.
  • Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-PD-L2 agent or with an agent directed to another stimulatory or co-inhibitory T-cell receptor (eg, CTLA-4, OX-40, CD137).
  • Inability to obtain histologic proof of breast cancer
  • Has received a live vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of study drug.

Examples of live vaccines include, but are not limited to, the following: measles, mumps, rubella, varicella/zoster (chicken pox), yellow fever, rabies, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), and typhoid vaccine. Seasonal influenza vaccines for injection are generally killed virus vaccines and are allowed; however, intranasal influenza vaccines (eg, FluMist®) are live attenuated vaccines and are not allowed.

  • Is currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational agent or has used an investigational device within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study treatment. Note: Participants who have entered the follow-up phase of an investigational study may participate as long as it has been 4 weeks after the last dose of the previous investigational agent.
  • Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving chronic systemic steroid therapy (in dosing exceeding 10 mg daily of prednisone equivalent) or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of study drug.
  • Has a known additional malignancy (second primary) that is progressing or has required active treatment within the past 3 years. Note: Participants with basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, or carcinoma in situ (e.g. cervical cancer in situ) that have undergone potentially curative therapy are not excluded.
  • Has severe hypersensitivity (≥Grade 3) to pembrolizumab and/or any of its excipients.
  • Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years (i.e. with use of disease modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs). Replacement therapy (eg., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considered a form of systemic treatment.
  • Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or has current pneumonitis.
  • Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy.Has a known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Note: No HIV testing is required unless mandated by local health authority.
  • Has a known history of Hepatitis B (defined as Hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] reactive) or known active Hepatitis C virus (defined as HCV RNA [qualitative] is detected) infection. Note: no testing for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C is required unless mandated by local health authority.
  • Has a known history of active TB (Bacillus Tuberculosis). Note: optional based on country.
  • Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: ARM 1
Focal hypo-fractionated radiation therapy 8 Gy x 3 fractions, starting day 8, every other day (M/W/F or W/F/M or F/M/W).
Radiation: Focal Radiation therapy
Focal hypo-fractionated radiation therapy 8 Gy x 3 fractions, starting day 8, every other day (M/W/F or W/F/M or F/M/W).
Active Comparator: ARM 2
Focal hypo-fractionated radiation therapy - 8 Gy x 3 fractions starting day 8, every other day (M/W/F or W/F/M or F/M/W). + Pembrolizumab, on day 12 (last day of radiotherapy), infused over 200mg IV over 30 minutes and then repeated every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Radiation: Focal Radiation therapy
Focal hypo-fractionated radiation therapy 8 Gy x 3 fractions, starting day 8, every other day (M/W/F or W/F/M or F/M/W).
Drug: Pembrolizumab (200mg IV for 30 minutes
Pembrolizumab, on day 12 (last day of radiotherapy), infused over 200mg IV over 30 minutes and then repeated every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Active Comparator: ARM 3
Ftl-3 ligand, self-administered by subcutaneous injections at week 1, daily, for 5 consecutive days + Focal hypo-fractionated radiation therapy - 8 Gy x 3 fractions starting day 8, (every other day (M/W/F or W/F/M or F/M/W).
Radiation: Focal Radiation therapy
Focal hypo-fractionated radiation therapy 8 Gy x 3 fractions, starting day 8, every other day (M/W/F or W/F/M or F/M/W).
Biological: CDX-301
Ftl-3 ligand, self-administered by subcutaneous injections at week 1, daily, for 5 consecutive days.
Active Comparator: ARM 4
Ftl-3 ligand, self administered subcutaneous injections at day 1 for 5 consecutive days+ Focal hypo-fractionated Radiation therapy starting day 8, - 8 Gy x 3 fractions, every other day (M/W/F or W/F/M or F/M/W). + Pembrolizumab, on day 12 (last day of radiotherapy), 200mg IV infused over 30 minutes then repeated every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Radiation: Focal Radiation therapy
Focal hypo-fractionated radiation therapy 8 Gy x 3 fractions, starting day 8, every other day (M/W/F or W/F/M or F/M/W).
Drug: Pembrolizumab (200mg IV for 30 minutes
Pembrolizumab, on day 12 (last day of radiotherapy), infused over 200mg IV over 30 minutes and then repeated every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Biological: CDX-301
Ftl-3 ligand, self-administered by subcutaneous injections at week 1, daily, for 5 consecutive days.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Tolerability will be demonstrated if no grade 3 or higher toxicities are observed in the first 8 patients, of each arm.
Time Frame: 3 years
Tolerability of adding immunotherapy to a combination of tumor radiotherapy and endocrine therapy in the neoadjuvant setting of newly diagnosed HR+ breast cancer patients will be assessed if no grade 3 or higher toxicities are observed in the first 8 patients of each arm. CTCAE version 5.0 will be used.
3 years
Clinical response rate to tumor radiation +/-immunotherapy during standard endocrine therapy for HR+ breast cancer will be measured.
Time Frame: 3 years
Clinical response rate to tumor radiation +/-immunotherapy during standard endocrine therapy for HR+ breast cancer will be measured.
3 years
Pathological response rate to tumor radiation +/-immunotherapy during standard endocrine therapy for HR+ breast cancer will be measured.
Time Frame: 3 years
Pathological response rate to tumor radiation +/-immunotherapy during standard endocrine therapy for HR+ breast cancer will be measured.
3 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Local immune response will be measured by assessing tumor specimens for T-cell infiltration at baseline and and during treatment.
Time Frame: 4 years
Local immune response will be measured by assessing tumor specimens for T-cell infiltration at baseline and and during treatment.
4 years
Systemic immune response will be measured by collecting serial blood samples for serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at multiple time points.
Time Frame: 4 years
Systemic immune response will be measured by collecting serial blood samples for serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at multiple time points.
4 years

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
United States Department of Defense
Celldex Therapeutics

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Silvia Formenti, M.D., Weill Cornell Medicine - New York Presbyterian Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 17, 2020

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 31, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
January 9, 2019

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 11, 2019

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
January 15, 2019

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
January 28, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 26, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 1808019498

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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