Clinical Trial Awareness: 5 Breakthrough Breast Cancer Clinical Trials That are Currently Recruiting
October is a time to recognize both how far we’ve come in improving breast cancer care and highlight the recent advances in its management towards improving the quality of life of breast cancer survivors and caregivers. Breast cancer continues to be one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. In the United States alone, an estimated 316,950 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2025—a significant rise from the roughly 182,800 new cases reported at the start of the millennium. Today, about 1 in 8 women (13%) will face breast cancer at some point in their lives.
While advances in screening, precision medicine, and targeted therapies have improved survival rates, incidence has continued to rise slowly but steadily over the past decade. The impact on individuals, families, and entire communities remains profound.
That’s why continued research and awareness are vital. Every day, clinical trials are uncovering new ways to prevent, detect, and treat breast cancer. At TrialX, we believe research is one of the most powerful tools to improve lives. Our platform helps connect people with clinical trials exploring innovative approaches that could shape the future of breast cancer care.
This blog highlights five ongoing breast cancer clinical trials that will help shape the future of treatment and care.
1. A First-in-Human Study of MEN2312 in Adults With Advanced Breast Cancer
Sponsor: Stemline Therapeutics, Inc.
What It’s Testing and Why It Matters
This early-stage trial is testing a new drug called MEN2312 for adults with advanced breast cancer. The study is looking at MEN2312 on its own and in combination with elacestrant (Orserdu®). MEN2312 works by targeting a key process that helps cancer cells grow and survive. For patients who have already tried several treatments, this approach could help slow down cancer progression.
Why It Stands Out
Unlike standard chemotherapy or hormone therapy, MEN2312 is designed to work at a molecular level to change the way cancer cells behave, potentially making them less resistant to treatment. By testing it both alone and with another drug, researchers hope to learn whether the combination works better or helps prevent resistance.
What It Could Mean for Patients
MEN2312 could become a new treatment option for people with advanced or hard-to-treat breast cancer, especially for those with certain genetic markers like PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN. This could give patients more choices when standard therapies are no longer effective.
Location: This on-site trial is taking place at 38 locations across the United States.
View the study and see if you’re eligible.
2. A Smarter Way to Find Breast Tumors During Surgery: Breast Cancer Locator (BCL)
Sponsor: CairnSurgical, Inc.
What It’s Testing and Why It Matters
This study is testing a new device called the Breast Cancer Locator (BCL) for women having a partial mastectomy (removal of part of the breast) when tumors are too small to feel. The BCL is compared to the standard wire method that doctors currently use to locate tumors. Using the BCL, surgeons can find tumors more accurately, which may lead to better outcomes.
Why It Stands Out
Unlike traditional wires, the BCL uses MRI scans to create a 3D model of the tumor inside the breast. This model is then turned into a custom “bra-like” guide that the patient wears before surgery. It shows exactly where the tumor is and its boundaries, helping surgeons remove the cancer precisely while leaving healthy tissue intact. This innovation aims to reduce repeat surgeries, improve cosmetic results, and make surgery less stressful.
What It Could Mean for Patients
If proven as effective or superior to wire localization, the BCL could become a new standard in surgical precision for early breast cancer, helping more women preserve healthy tissue while ensuring complete tumor removal. This could reduce repeat surgeries, shorten recovery time, and lessen emotional and physical stress for patients choosing breast-conserving options.
Location: This on-site trial is active at 26 locations across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
View the study and see if you’re eligible.
3. RAGE Inhibition to Decrease Cardiotoxicity in Women With Early Breast Cancer (RAGE)
Sponsor: Georgetown University
What It’s Testing and Why It Matters
This study is looking at whether a drug called azeliragon (TTP488) can protect the heart and brain from side effects of chemotherapy in women with early-stage breast cancer. Many common breast cancer treatments, especially those using anthracyclines, can harm the heart and sometimes cause “chemo brain,” affecting memory and thinking. By targeting the RAGE pathway, researchers hope to reduce these risks without affecting the cancer treatment itself.
Why It Stands Out
Azeliragon was originally studied for Alzheimer’s disease because it helps protect brain cells. This trial is one of the first to test it in cancer patients, not to fight the tumor directly, but to make treatment safer. It focuses on improving quality of life during and after chemotherapy—helping women avoid heart damage and cognitive problems while still receiving effective cancer care.
What It Could Mean for Patients
If successful, this approach could set a new precedent for supportive care in oncology, helping patients complete chemotherapy safely while preserving heart and brain function. This could lead to future strategies where cancer therapy is not only effective but also less damaging to vital organs.
Location:
The study is currently recruiting participants in the United States.
View the study and see if you’re eligible.
4. Understanding How Women Respond to Personal Breast Cancer Risk Information
Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver
What It’s Testing and Why It Matters
This study is looking at why some women question or do not fully accept their personalized breast cancer risk during mammography screening. Researchers aim to understand how factors like age, background, or personal beliefs may influence whether women trust their risk estimates—and how this affects screening decisions. By studying these patterns, the trial could help healthcare providers better support women in making informed choices about screening.
Why It Stands Out
Unlike trials testing new treatments or devices, this study focuses on behavior and understanding. Using the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT/Gail Model), participants receive a personal risk score and share how much they agree with it. Researchers then examine how this influences decisions about breast cancer screening over a 12-month period.
What It Could Mean for Patients
Insights from this study could help healthcare providers communicate risk information more effectively, supporting women in making decisions that align with their personal health circumstances.
Location:
This study is recruiting at two U.S. sites:
- University of Colorado, Denver (Aurora, CO)
- Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)
View the study and see if you’re eligible.
5. Testing a New Way to Track Breast Cancer Response During Chemotherapy
Sponsor: RNA Diagnostics Inc.
What It’s Testing and Why It Matters
This global study is exploring whether a new lab test, called the RNA Disruption Assay (RDA), can help doctors understand how a breast cancer tumor is responding to chemotherapy earlier than standard methods. By analyzing small tumor biopsies taken during treatment, researchers hope to identify which patients are responding well and which may need a change in therapy—potentially allowing for more personalized care.
Why It Stands Out
Currently, doctors usually wait until the end of chemotherapy to see if a tumor has shrunk, which can delay adjustments to treatment. The RDA test is designed to give an early read on tumor response using molecular signals from tumor tissue. While the results won’t be used to guide treatment in this study, validating the test could eventually support more tailored therapy plans and help improve outcomes.
What It Could Mean for Patients
If the RDA test proves reliable, it could help clinicians identify non-responders sooner, potentially leading to faster changes in therapy and better long-term results. This approach could reduce unnecessary side effects from ineffective treatments and give patients more confidence that their care is personalized.
Location:
This study is recruiting at 7 global sites, including the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain.
View the study and see if you’re eligible.
Advancing Breast Cancer, Together
Every breast cancer journey is unique, but research unites all. From smarter surgeries and personalized risk insights to RNA-guided therapies, clinical trials are shaping care that’s precise and patient-centered. Discover ongoing breast cancer clinical trials on Trialx.com, or sign up for our volunteer registry to get notified about ongoing research opportunities.
Explore more trusted resources from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Breastcancer.org, and the American Cancer Society to stay informed and engaged.
