The Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer Program at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center is one of the only programs in the country focusing on in-depth research for this under-studied type of breast cancer. Our multidisciplinary team of physician-scientists is leading clinical and basic science research to enhance our understanding of invasive lobular breast cancer, develop more effective diagnostic and treatment options for patients, and improve the current survival rate for patients.
Featured Clinical Trials for Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer
Currently, there are multiple trials open for patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, including patients with invasive lobular breast cancer.
Trial 22-680: EMBER4: Phase 3 study of adjuvant imlunestrant vs standard adjuvant endocrine therapy in patients who have previously received 2 to 5 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy for ER+, HER2- early breast cancer with an increased risk of recurrence
Principal investigator: Rinath Jeselsohn, MD
Trial 22-490: Single arm phase 1/2 trial of abemaciclib + avutometinib (VS-6766) + fulvestrant in metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer
Principal investigator: Adrienne Waks, MD
Trial 22-265: Phase 3 study evaluating giredestrant plus everolimus compared with physician's choice of endocrine therapy plus everolimus in patients with estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer
Principal investigator: Erica Mayer, MD, MPH
Trial 23-597: HARMONIA: Phase 3 study of ribociclib vs. palbociclib in patients with advanced hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative/HER2-enriched breast cancer
Principal investigator: Erica Mayer, MD, MPH
Research Advances
In a study in Cancer Research, investigators led by Rinath Jeselsohn, MD, Otto Metzger, MD, and Agostina Nardone, PhD, uncovered a mechanism by which lobular breast cancer can become resistant to the drug tamoxifen. The findings suggest that patients with estrogen receptor-positive invasive lobular breast cancer might benefit from specific hormone-blocking treatments. The researchers also identified a gene signature — a pattern of gene activity — in a common subtype of lobular breast cancer that was associated with worse outcomes for some patients, which may make it possible to identify these patients in advance and lead to better treatment options.
Additionally, Metzger and other investigators are analyzing the results of the PELOPS clinical trial, a randomized, phase 2 trial that compared tamoxifen with aromatase inhibitor treatment for patients with estrogen receptor-positive invasive lobular breast cancer or invasive ductal breast cancer prior to surgery. Jeselsohn and other investigators are performing the correlative studies of the PELOPS clinical trial, seeking to understand how naturally occurring variables in the study are related.
Metzger also presented new research at the ESMO Breast Cancer Annual Congress in 2024: A retrospective analysis of the large clinical trials – SOFT and TEXT – investigating adjuvant endocrine treatment regimens in pre-menopausal women showed that exemestane (an aromatase inhibitor) with ovarian suppression was more beneficial than tamoxifen alone for invasive lobular breast cancer compared to invasive ductal breast cancer.
Read more about these research advances for invasive lobular breast cancer.