What the trial was testing
The trial enrolled 22 patients with ovarian cancer. The study was sponsored by University of Washington and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was an early-stage trial — researchers are still confirming safety and getting an early look at how well the treatment works. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
At three years of follow-up, more than half of patients with advanced breast cancer were still alive after receiving the combination treatment.
Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2009 · NCT00194714
These findings — that more than half of patients with stage IV breast cancer were still alive at three years — were published in the Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 22 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with ovarian cancer, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
This was an early-stage study testing whether a vaccine could boost the immune response in women already getting standard treatment for advanced breast cancer. The combination was safe and triggered strong immune responses. This vaccine is not yet FDA-approved. If you have HER2-positive breast cancer, ask your oncologist about clinical trials testing vaccines or immunotherapy alongside standard care.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open ovarian cancer trials
Relacorilant in Combination With Different Treatment Regimens in Patients With Gynecological Cancers
This is a Phase 2, open-label, global, multi-arm study to evaluate efficacy and safety of relacorilant in combination with other treatments in patients with gynecological cancers.
Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib for Platinum- Sensitive Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
This is a study of pembrolizumab (MK-3475, KEYTRUDA®) in combination with lenvatinib (E7080) for the treatment of platinum sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. Participants will receive pembrolizumab and lenvatinib.