A new treatment approach developed at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center has shown encouraging results in a phase 1 clinical trial for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most aggressive form of breast cancer.
The study, titled “Chemokine Modulation Therapy and Standard Chemotherapy Before Surgery for the Treatment of Early Stage Triple Negative Breast Cancer” published in The Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer.
The trial, which enrolled nine patients with early-stage TNBC, revealed that five out of nine patients achieved complete remission, and one more had near-complete remission, making the overall response rate around 66%. This outcome is comparable to other treatment combinations currently in use, but the Roswell Park regimen is particularly promising because the patients did not experience any severe immune-related adverse effects, which are often associated with other therapies.
TNBC, which makes up 10-20% of all breast cancers, is known for its high mortality rate, even in early-stage diagnoses, making this new approach a potential breakthrough in treatment.
Dr. Shipra Gandhi, a medical oncologist and staff physician at Roswell Park, said:
“We are very excited with these promising results from our study of a new treatment combination for patients with this most highly aggressive form of breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, Because this initial study was in a small number of patients, it will be important to validate these findings in a larger study.”
In a this clinical trial at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, a new treatment approach for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) showed significant potential. The trial, which enrolled nine patients with early-stage TNBC, combined neoadjuvant chemotherapy with a chemokine modulatory regimen (CKM). The chemotherapy included paclitaxel (Taxol) to shrink tumors, while CKM therapy featured rintatolimod (Ampligen), interferon alfa-2b (Intron A), and celecoxib (Celebrex), which together enhanced the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. Additionally, patients received doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) to directly kill and halt the growth of cancer cells.
The results were encouraging, with five out of nine patients achieving complete remission and one additional patient showing near-complete remission. This led to a remission rate of 66%, which is comparable to the outcomes of the current standard treatment that combines chemotherapy with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda). However, the new regimen developed at Roswell Park stands out because patients did not experience the immune-related adverse events often associated with pembrolizumab. Immune-related side effects can range from mild to severe and can even be fatal, making this treatment option particularly appealing for TNBC patients.
This new combination therapy offers a significant advancement for treating TNBC, which is known for its aggressive nature and high mortality rate, even in early stages. The success of this trial suggests that the Roswell Park regimen may provide effective tumor shrinkage while minimizing the risk of dangerous side effects, offering a safer and potentially more effective alternative to current treatments.
About Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, established in 1898, has been dedicated to providing exceptional care for over 120 years. Located on a 29-acre campus within the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC) near downtown Buffalo, New York, Roswell Park remains a vital resource in cancer care. It is the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York and one of only four in the entire state. Over the past year, the center provided care to more than 46,000 patients, upholding its reputation for compassionate, innovative, and effective treatment.
As a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), Roswell Park plays a key role in setting international standards for cancer care. Its multidisciplinary approach to treatment, which integrates scientific research and clinical application, enables the center to offer patients access to the latest breakthroughs in cancer diagnostics, therapies, and technologies. The center’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its consistently high patient satisfaction scores, among the best in the country.
Roswell Park is dedicated to educating the next generation of cancer specialists. The center hosts hundreds of learners annually, offering a range of educational opportunities, from internships and clinical training to graduate programs in cancer science. This combination of cutting-edge care and education ensures that Roswell Park remains at the forefront of cancer treatment and research, improving outcomes for future generations.