Molecular PD-L1 PET/CT Imaging With 89Zr-atezolizumab in Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer (MIMIR-mTNBC)

March 11, 2026 updated by: Renske Altena, Karolinska University Hospital

Molecular PD-L1 PET/CT Imaging With 89Zr-atezolizumab to Monitor Immune Responses in Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer

The overarching purpose of this study is to improve precision medicine through more refined therapy selection for breast cancer patients who are candidates for ICI therapy (monoclonal antibodies targeting the programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) or programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)). The reference standard biomarker for ICI therapy selection is PD-L1 protein expression measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Several disadvantages exist with this method, the most important ones being inter- and intralesional as well as spatial heterogeneity in PD-L1 expression, as well as the need for invasive procedures to obtain material for analysis. The study hypothesis is that Positron Emission Tomography combined with Computed Tomography (PET/CT) imaging with a contemporary radiotracer (89Zr-atezolizumab), visualizing PD-L1 expression in the whole body, could be a better predictive biomarker to select which patients benefit from ICI. The use of PET/CT imaging with new radiotracers enables a non-invasive assessment of the presence of the target of treatment in the whole body and provides the possibility to combine functional information with anatomical details.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Patients with mTNBC scheduled for first line palliative systemic treatment with nab-paclitaxel and carboplatin can be included. This chemotherapy combination is used to maximize the therapeutic potential of this first line systemic treatment line, extrapolating signals from early TNBC and in the absence of signs that indicate augmented safety issues.

The investigational medical product is 89Zr-atezolizumab. The pharmaceutical preparation of the IMP consists of the precursor atezolizumab combined with zirconium-89 to form 89Zr-atezolizumab. The radiolabelling of atezolizumab will be performed at the Department of Radiopharmacy, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna. This involves an automated synthesis procedure in a Good Manufacturing Practice facility.

All patients are scheduled for treatment with nab-paclitaxel at a dose of 100 mg per square meter of body-surface area, administered intravenously, on days 1, 8, and 15, and carboplatin at a dose of Area Under the Curve (AUC) 5 on day 1 of every 28-day cycle. The patients with a PD-L1+ tumour according to IHC with the SP142 antibody (≥ 1% on immune cells) and/or 89Zr-atezolizumab tracer uptake on PET-imaging, will receive atezolizumab at a dose of 840 mg, administered intravenously, on days 1 and 15.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

3

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Locations

      • Stockholm, Sweden, 171 76
        • Karolinska University Hospital

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

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients with newly diagnosed irresectable or metastatic triple negative breast cancer

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer (mTNBC), defined by pathological criteria: oestrogen receptor expression <10%, progesterone receptor expression <10%, HER2 negative, on the primary tumour or a metastatic biopsy
  • Measurable disease according to RECIST v1.1
  • At least one metastatic lesion accessible for biopsy
  • Deemed by treating physician as fit for systemic therapy according to study protocol
  • ECOG performance score 0/1
  • Age ≥ 18 years old
  • Adequate blood tests for bone marrow, renal and hepatic functions
  • Able and willing to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Previous treatment with chemotherapy or targeted therapy for mTNBC. Radiation therapy and previous chemotherapy (including taxanes) in the context of curative therapy is allowed.
  • Contraindications for PET/CT as defined for clinical practice
  • Other malignancy diagnosed within the last five years, except for radically treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or CIS of the cervix
  • Patients in child-bearing age without adequate contraception. Examples of contraceptive methods with a failure rate of < 1% per year include bilateral tubal ligation, male sterilization, established, proper use of hormonal contraceptives that inhibit ovulation, hormone-releasing intrauterine devices (IUDs), and copper IUDs. Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, or postovulation methods) and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception. Women must refrain from donating eggs during this same period.
  • Pregnancy or lactation
  • Uncontrolled hypertension, heart-, liver-, or kidney-diseases or other medical/psychiatric disorders.
  • History of autoimmune disease, including but not limited to myasthenia gravis, myositis, autoimmune hepatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, vascular thrombosis associated with antiphospholipid syndrome, Wegener's granulomatosis, Sjögren's syndrome, Guillain-Barré syndrome, multiple sclerosis, vasculitis, or glomerulonephritis

    • Patients with a history of autoimmune-related hypothyroidism on a stable dose of thyroid replacement hormone are eligible for this study. Patients with controlled Type 1 diabetes mellitus on a stable insulin regimen may be eligible for this study.
    • Patients with eczema, psoriasis, lichen simplex chronicus or vitiligo with dermatologic manifestations only (e.g., no psoriatic arthritis) are permitted provided that they meet the following conditions: Rash must cover less than 10% of body surface area (BSA); Disease is well controlled at baseline and only requiring low potency topical steroids; No acute exacerbations of underlying condition within the last 12 months (not requiring PUVA [psoralen plus ultraviolet A radiation], methotrexate, retinoids, biologic agents, oral calcineurin inhibitors, high potency or oral steroids).
  • Vaccination with a live vaccine within 30 days of the first dose of study treatment
  • A known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, hepatitis B (HBsAg reactive) or hepatitis C (HCV RNA detected) infection or active tuberculosis.
  • Treatment with systemic corticosteroids or other systemic immunosuppressive medications (including but not limited to prednisone, dexamethasone, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, methotrexate, thalidomide, and anti-tumor necrosis factor [TNF] agents) within 2 weeks prior to randomization, or anticipated requirement for systemic immunosuppressive medications during the trial

    • Patients who have received acute, low-dose, systemic immunosuppressant medications (e.g., a one-time dose of dexamethasone for nausea) may be enrolled in the study
    • Patients with a history of allergic reaction to IV contrast requiring steroid pre-treatment should have baseline and subsequent tumor assessments performed using CT.
    • The use of inhaled corticosteroids for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, mineralocorticoids (e.g., fludrocortisone) for patients with orthostatic hypotension, and low-dose supplemental corticosteroids for adrenocortical insufficiency are allowed.
  • Hypersensitivity to atezolizumab

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

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
PD-L1 positive disease (on PET and/or IHC)

Nab-paclitaxel at a dose of 100 mg per square meter of body-surface area, administered intravenously, on days 1, 8, and 15, and carboplatin at a dose of Area Under the Curve (AUC) 5 on day 1 of every 28-day cycle.

The patients with a PD-L1+ tumour, according to IHC with the SP142 antibody (≥ 1% on immune cells) and/or 89Zr-atezolizumab tracer uptake on PET-imaging, will receive atezolizumab at a dose of 840 mg, administered intravenously, on days 1 and 15.

All patients undergo a 89Zr-atezolizumab PET/CT. Allocation to chemotherapy + atezolizumab in case of a PD-L1 positive tumor (on IHC and/or PET)
PD-L1 negative disease (on PET and IHC)
Nab-paclitaxel at a dose of 100 mg per square meter of body-surface area, administered intravenously, on days 1, 8, and 15, and carboplatin at a dose of Area Under the Curve (AUC) 5 on day 1 of every 28-day cycle.
All patients undergo a 89Zr-atezolizumab PET/CT. Allocation to chemotherapy + atezolizumab in case of a PD-L1 positive tumor (on IHC and/or PET)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Level of statistical agreement (Cohen kappa coefficient) between PD-L1 status on IHC (with SP142 Ventana) and PET (with 89Zr-atezolizumab)
Time Frame: baseline

Level of statistical agreement by means of Cohen's kappa coefficient between PD-L1 IHC (positive defined as expression ≥1% on immune cells with SP142) and PD-L1 PET/CT (PD-L1 positivity is defined as having at least one lesion with radiotracer uptake over the background uptake).

Level of statistical agreement by means of Cohen's kappa coefficient between PD-L1 IHC (positive defined as expression ≥1% on immune cells with SP142) and PD-L1 PET/CT (PD-L1 positivity is defined as having at least one lesion with radiotracer uptake over the background uptake).

Level of statistical agreement by means of Cohen's kappa coefficient between PD-L1 IHC (positive defined as expression ≥1% on immune cells with SP142) and PD-L1 PET/CT (PD-L1 positivity is defined as having at least one lesion with radiotracer uptake over the background uptake).

baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Treatment outcomes - response rate
Time Frame: Baseline - up to one year

Disease response rates in three patient groups

  1. IHC positive and PET positive,
  2. IHC positive and PET negative,
  3. IHC negative and PET positive.
Baseline - up to one year
Treatment outcomes - progression free survival
Time Frame: Baseline - up to one year

Progression free survival in three patient groups

  1. IHC positive and PET positive,
  2. IHC positive and PET negative,
  3. IHC negative and PET positive.
Baseline - up to one year
Treatment-related toxicities
Time Frame: Baseline - up to one year

Treatment discontinuation rates in three patient groups

  1. IHC positive and PET positive,
  2. IHC positive and PET negative,
  3. IHC negative and PET positive.
Baseline - up to one year
Heterogeneity in PD-L1 status
Time Frame: Baseline
Discordance in 89Zr-atezolizumab between different sites and within metastatic sites in the body.
Baseline
Improved staging
Time Frame: Baseline
Percentage of 89Zr-atezolizumab uptake in sites, not previously determined on the routine radiological investigation with CT, as a measure of cancer spread determined on whole body 89Zr-atezolizumab PET/CT in and different metastases.
Baseline

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Immune infiltrate and PD-L1 status
Time Frame: Baseline
Differences in number of immune cells cells in biopsied sites with discordance between PD-L1 IHC and PD-L1 PET.
Baseline
ICI toxicity prediction
Time Frame: Baseline - up to one year
Rates (and severity according to CTC-AE) of immune-mediated side effects in relation to 89Zr-atezolizumab tracer uptake in organs at risk for immune-mediated toxicities.
Baseline - up to one year

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Renske Altena, MD PhD, Karolinska Institutet
  • Study Director: Jonas Bergh, MD, Prof, Karolinska Institutet

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)

July 1, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

March 11, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 17, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 22, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

February 23, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 13, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 11, 2026

Last Verified

March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

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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