Tirzepatide for Weight Loss Intervention in Early-Stage Hormone Receptor Positive/HER2 Negative Breast Cancer (FITWISE)

January 17, 2026 updated by: Coral Omene, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

FITWISE: Feasibility Study of Tirzepatide for Weight Loss Intervention in Early-Stage Hormone Receptor Positive/HER2 Negative Breast Cancer

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of tirzepatide in achieving a 5% or more body weight reduction in patients undergoing adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/Her2-) breast cancer. The study will also assess the safety and tolerability of tirzepatide, its feasibility based on discontinuation rates, and completion of treatment. Secondary objectives include evaluating 3-year invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) and distant relapse-free survival (DRFS), changes in BMI and body fat distribution, metabolic markers, and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The primary objective of this clinical trial is to determine the proportion of patients who achieve a 5% or greater reduction in body weight by the end of the study treatment with tirzepatide, during adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/Her2-) breast cancer. Secondary objectives include assessing the safety and tolerability of tirzepatide for weight loss during this treatment. The feasibility of using tirzepatide for weight loss intervention will be evaluated through discontinuation rates and completion of the treatment course. Additionally, the trial will determine the 3-year invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) and 3-year distant relapse-free survival (DRFS) with the use of tirzepatide. The study will also assess changes in Body Mass Index (BMI), body fat distribution (measured via Waist/Hip Ratio (WHR) and waist circumference), and obesity-related metabolic markers (including Blood Pressure, fasting insulin, fasting blood glucose, HgbA1c, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, IGF1, estrogen, and testosterone). Finally, the trial will monitor for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and assess changes when using tirzepatide for weight loss in the adjuvant treatment of HR+/Her2- breast cancer. Quality of Life assessments will be obtained and exploratory objectives investigating adipokines (adiponectin, leptin) and their receptors, metabolomic pathways and immune cell metabolism will be conducted.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

40

Phase

  • 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 Locations

  • United States
    • New Jersey
      • Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States, 07202
        • Recruiting
        • Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center
        • Contact:
      • Hamilton, New Jersey, United States, 08690
        • Not yet recruiting
        • RWJ Barnabas Health - Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Hamilton
        • Contact:
      • Livingston, New Jersey, United States, 07039
        • Recruiting
        • RWJBarnabas Health - Cooperman Barnabas, Livingston
        • Contact:
      • Long Branch, New Jersey, United States, 07740
        • Recruiting
        • RWJBarnabas Health - Monmouth Medical Center
        • Contact:
      • New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States, 08901
        • Recruiting
        • Rutgers Cancer Institute
        • Contact:
      • Newark, New Jersey, United States, 07112
        • Recruiting
        • RWJBarnabas Health - Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
        • Contact:
      • Somerville, New Jersey, United States, 08876
        • Recruiting
        • RWJ Barnabas Health - Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Somerset
        • Contact:

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

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Consent: Be willing and able to provide written informed consent for the trial.
  • Age: Male or Female patients aged 18 years or older.
  • Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Have hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer previously diagnosed by biopsy. HR status is defined as estrogen receptor (ER) >10% and/or progesterone receptor (PR) >10%; HER2 status is defined as immunohistochemistry (IHC) 0 or 1+ or IHC 2+, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) negative.
  • Stage: Have previously untreated early-stage, clinical or anatomic stage I, II, or III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
  • Definitive Treatment: Have had definitive treatment with curative intent for breast cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy as indicated.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI): Have a BMI of 30 kg/m² or more, or a BMI of 27 kg/m² or more with one weight-related complication (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease).
  • Performance Status: Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 to 2.
  • Cardiac Function: Have a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 50% or greater, or greater than the institution's lower limit of normal (LLN), as assessed by echocardiogram (ECHO) or multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan performed at screening.
  • Organ Function: Demonstrate adequate organ function in screening labs.
  • Tumor Specimens: Have archived biopsy or surgical tumor specimens available as tumor blocks or unstained slides.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Other Clinical Studies: Is currently enrolled, or will enroll in, a different clinical study in which investigational therapeutic procedures are performed or investigational therapies are administered while participating in this study.
  • Stage IV Breast Cancer: Have stage IV, metastatic breast cancer.
  • Cancer Type: Have HER2-positive or triple-negative breast cancer.
  • Active Malignancy: Have a concomitant active malignancy.
  • Performance Status: Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status greater than 2.
  • Body Mass Index: Have a BMI of less than 27 kg/m².
  • Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Have type 1 diabetes mellitus.
  • Gastric Emptying Abnormality: Have a known clinically important gastric emptying abnormality (e.g., severe gastroparesis or gastric outlet obstruction) or chronically took drugs that directly affect gastrointestinal motility.

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: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide will be administered subcutaneously in the stomach, upper arm, or thigh, rotating injection sites with each dose. Administer once weekly at any time of day, with or without meals. Start with an initial dosage of 2.5 mg. After 4 weeks, increase to 5 mg weekly. Further increases may be made in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dose, aiming for a target of 15 mg (i.e., 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg). Consider treatment tolerability when selecting the maintenance dose. If not tolerated, consider the next lower maintenance dose. Recommended maintenance doses are 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg, with 5 mg as the lowest evaluable dose. The 2.5 mg dose is not a maintenance dose. The maximum allowed dosage is 15 mg once weekly.
Drug: Tirzepatide
The intervention aims to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of tirzepatide for weight loss in patients with early-stage hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, potentially improving treatment outcomes and overall health.
Other Names:
  • LY3298176 (development code name)
  • Mounjaro (brand name in certain regions)
  • Zepbound (brand name in certain regions)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Weight Loss Reduction with Tirzepatide during Adjuvant Treatment for HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer (Measured by Body Weight Reduction)
Time Frame: Through study completion, total of two years.
To determine the effectiveness of tirzepatide in facilitating a 5% or more weight loss in patients undergoing adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/Her2-) breast cancer.
Through study completion, total of two years.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Safety and Tolerability of Tirzepatide for Weight Loss during Adjuvant Treatment for HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer (Measured by Incidence of Adverse Events Using CTCAE v5.0)
Time Frame: Adverse events will be monitored through study completion for two years.
This outcome assesses the safety and tolerability of tirzepatide for weight loss in patients undergoing adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/Her2-) breast cancer. The primary focus is to monitor and document the incidence of adverse events (AEs) associated with tirzepatide use, utilizing the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0. This assessment will help determine the risk profile of tirzepatide and ensure that the benefits of weight loss outweigh potential adverse effects in this patient population.
Adverse events will be monitored through study completion for two years.
Feasibility of Tirzepatide for Weight Loss Intervention during Adjuvant Treatment for HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer (Assessed by Discontinuation Rates and Completion of Treatment Course).
Time Frame: Feasibility will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
This outcome measures the feasibility of using tirzepatide for weight loss intervention in patients undergoing adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/Her2-) breast cancer. The primary focus is to assess the intervention's practicality by evaluating discontinuation rates and the completion of the treatment course. High completion rates and low discontinuation rates will indicate that tirzepatide is a feasible weight loss intervention in this patient population.
Feasibility will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
Clinical Efficacy of Tirzepatide during Adjuvant Treatment for HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer (Measured by 3-Year Invasive Disease-Free Survival and 3-Year Distant Relapse-Free Survival)
Time Frame: Patients will be monitored for recurrence through study completion and an additional year, for total three years.
This outcome measures the clinical efficacy of tirzepatide in patients undergoing adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/Her2-) breast cancer. The primary focus is to determine the 3-year invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) and the 3-year distant relapse-free survival (DRFS) rates. These metrics will help evaluate whether weight loss using tirzepatide contributes to preventing cancer recurrence and metastasis in this patient population.
Patients will be monitored for recurrence through study completion and an additional year, for total three years.
Assessment of Obesity-Related Metabolic Markers Using Tirzepatide for Weight Loss during Adjuvant Treatment for HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer Assessment of Blood Pressure Changes unit of Measure: Millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
Time Frame: Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
This outcome measures the impact of tirzepatide on obesity-related metabolic markers in participants undergoing adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/Her2-) breast cancer. The primary focus is to evaluate changes in various metabolic markers, blood pressure (mm Hg),assessment of blood pressure changes unit of measure: millimeters of mercury (mm Hg)These assessments will help determine the effectiveness of tirzepatide in improving metabolic health and reducing obesity-related risks in this participant population.
Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
Assessment of Obesity-Related Metabolic Markers Using Tirzepatide for Weight Loss during Adjuvant Treatment for HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer Assessment of fasting insulin changes, unit of Measure: Milli-international units per liter (mIU/L)
Time Frame: Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
This outcome measures the impact of tirzepatide on obesity-related metabolic markers in participants undergoing adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/Her2-) breast cancer. The primary focus is to evaluate changes in various metabolic markers, Assessment of Fasting Insulin changes, unit of measure: milli-international units per liter (mIU/L)This assessment will help determine the effectiveness of tirzepatide in improving metabolic health and reducing obesity-related risks in this participant population.
Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
Assessment of Obesity-Related Metabolic Markers Using Tirzepatide for Weight Loss during Adjuvant Treatment for HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer, Assessment of Fasting Blood Glucose Changes, Unit of Measure: Millimoles per liter (mmol/L)
Time Frame: Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
This outcome measures the impact of tirzepatide on obesity-related metabolic markers in participants undergoing adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/Her2-) breast cancer. The primary focus is to evaluate changes in various metabolic markers, assessment of fasting blood glucose changes unit of measure: millimoles per liter (mmol/L). This assessment will help determine the effectiveness of tirzepatide in improving metabolic health and reducing obesity-related risks in this participant population.
Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
Assessment of Obesity-Related Metabolic Markers Using Tirzepatide for Weight Loss during Adjuvant Treatment for HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer Assessment of HgbA1c Changes, Unit of Measure: Millimoles per mole (mmol/mol)
Time Frame: Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
This outcome measures the impact of tirzepatide on obesity-related metabolic markers in participants undergoing adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-assessment of HgbA1c Changes unit of measure: millimoles per mole (mmol/mol). This assessment will help determine the effectiveness of tirzepatide in improving metabolic health and reducing obesity-related risks in this participant population.
Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
Assessment of Obesity-Related Metabolic Markers Using Tirzepatide for Weight Loss during Adjuvant Treatment for HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer Assessment of Cholesterol (Total, LDL, HDL) Changes Unit of Measure: Milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl)
Time Frame: Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
This outcome measures the impact of tirzepatide on obesity-related metabolic markers in participants undergoing adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/Her2-) breast cancer. The primary focus is to evaluate changes in various metabolic markers, assessment of cholesterol (Total, LDL, HDL) changes unit of measure: milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl)This assessment will help determine the effectiveness of tirzepatide in improving metabolic health and reducing obesity-related risks in this participant population.
Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
Assessment of Obesity-Related Metabolic Markers Using Tirzepatide for Weight Loss during Adjuvant Treatment for HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer, Assessment of Triglyceride Changes Unit of Measure: Millimoles per liter (mmol/L)
Time Frame: Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
This outcome measures the impact of tirzepatide on obesity-related metabolic markers in participants undergoing adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/Her2-) breast cancer. The primary focus is to evaluate changes in various metabolic markers, assessment of triglyceride changes unit of measure: millimoles per liter (mmol/L)This assessment will help determine the effectiveness of tirzepatide in improving metabolic health and reducing obesity-related risks in this participant population.
Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
Assessment of Obesity-Related Metabolic Markers Using Tirzepatide for Weight Loss during Adjuvant Treatment for HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer, Assessment of IGF1 Changes, Unit of Measure: Nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml)
Time Frame: Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
This outcome measures the impact of tirzepatide on obesity-related metabolic markers in participants undergoing adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/Her2-) breast cancer. The primary focus is to evaluate changes in various metabolic markers, assessment of IGF1 changes unit of measure: nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml)This assessment will help determine the effectiveness of tirzepatide in improving metabolic health and reducing obesity-related risks in this participant population.
Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
Assessment of Obesity-Related Metabolic Markers Using Tirzepatide for Weight Loss during Adjuvant Treatment for HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer, Assessment of Estrogen Changes, Unit of Measure: Picograms per milliliter (pg/ml)
Time Frame: Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
This outcome measures the impact of tirzepatide on obesity-related metabolic markers in participants undergoing adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/Her2-) breast cancer. The primary focus is to evaluate changes in various metabolic markers, assessment of estrogen changes unit of measure: Picograms per milliliter (pg/ml)This assessment will help determine the effectiveness of tirzepatide in improving metabolic health and reducing obesity-related risks in this participant population.
Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
Assessment of Obesity-Related Metabolic Markers Using Tirzepatide for Weight Loss during Adjuvant Treatment for HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer Assessment of Testosterone Changes, Unit of Measure: Nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL)
Time Frame: Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
This outcome measures the impact of tirzepatide on obesity-related metabolic markers in participants undergoing adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/Her2-) breast cancer. The primary focus is to evaluate changes in various metabolic markers, assessment of testosterone changes unit of measure: nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL)This assessment will help determine the effectiveness of tirzepatide in improving metabolic health and reducing obesity-related risks in this participant population.
Metabolic markers will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
Monitoring Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) Levels Using Tirzepatide for Weight Loss during Adjuvant Treatment for HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer (Detection and Changes in ctDNA Levels during Treatment).
Time Frame: ctDNA levels will be monitored through study completion for two years.
This outcome measures the effect of tirzepatide on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels, which potentially serve as an early indicator of cancer recurrence in participants undergoing adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/Her2-) breast cancer. The primary focus is to detect ctDNA and monitor changes in its levels throughout the treatment duration. Assessing ctDNA levels can provide insights into the molecular response to obesity treatment using tirzepatide.
ctDNA levels will be monitored through study completion for two years.
Assessment of Obesity Measurements Using Tirzepatide for Weight Loss during Adjuvant Treatment for HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer, as measured by Waist/Hip Ratio (WHR), and waist circumference.
Time Frame: Obesity measurements will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
This outcome measures the impact of tirzepatide on obesity-related metrics in patients undergoing adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/Her2-) breast cancer. The primary focus is to evaluate changes in Body Mass Index (BMI), body fat distribution as measured by Waist/Hip Ratio (WHR), and waist circumference. These assessments will help determine the effectiveness of tirzepatide in improving body fat distribution and reducing obesity in this patient population. Weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/m^2 and waist circumference reported in inches.
Obesity measurements will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
Assessment of Obesity Measurements Using Tirzepatide for Weight Loss during Adjuvant Treatment for HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer, Weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/m^2.
Time Frame: Obesity measurements will be evaluated through study completion for two years.
This outcome measures the impact of tirzepatide on obesity-related metrics in patients undergoing adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/Her2-) breast cancer. The primary focus is to evaluate changes in Body Mass Index (BMI), body fat distribution These assessments will help determine the effectiveness of tirzepatide in improving body fat distribution and reducing obesity in this patient population. Weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/m^2.
Obesity measurements will be evaluated through study completion for two years.

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Collaborators

Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Coral Omene, MD., PhD, Rutgers Cancer Institute

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)

October 30, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 30, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 30, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 27, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 18, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

July 24, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

January 21, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 17, 2026

Last Verified

January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 042403

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

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

Yes

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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