An international research study called CAMBRIA-2 is open in Dublin for people with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and HER2 negative early breast cancer.

This study is for patients who have already had surgery and finished their first treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, if needed. Researchers want to see if a drug, called camizestrant (AZD9833), can do a better job at preventing breast cancer from coming back compared to the current standard of care anti-hormone treatments called aromatase inhibitors. 

Why This Study Is Important

After surgery, many people take anti-hormone (endocrine) therapy for several years to lower the chance of their breast cancer returning. For most, this works well, but for some, the cancer can still come back.

Camizestrant is a new type of anti-hormonal treatment. Instead of just blocking estrogen from attaching to the estrogen receptors (which helps breast cancer cells grow), camizestrant also breaks down the estrogen receptor completely. Think of it as taking away the “keyhole” that estrogen would normally fit into, rather than just blocking the keyhole.

Researchers expect that this will give better and longer-lasting protection from breast cancer returning.

Who Can Join the Study?

You may be able to take part if you:

• Have ER+ / HER2- early breast cancer and no signs of spread.
  
  
• Have completed surgery and other local treatments such as radiotherapy.
  
  
• You can take hormone therapy for up to 12 weeks prior to enrollment (before or after surgery).
  
  
• Are pre-, peri-, or post-menopausal, or a man with breast cancer.
  
  

However, the study is for people whose cancer has features that make it more likely to come back. Therefore certain criteria needs to be met, such as: 

• A larger tumour (T4), or
  
  
• Two or more lymph nodes found with cancer at time of surgery, or
  
  
• A medium-sized tumour with one (or no) affected lymph node may be included but other factors must then be taken into consideration.

Your doctor or nurse will be able to discuss with you whether or not you meet the criteria - so please ask!

You wouldn’t be able to take part if your cancer has spread (metastatic), if it completely disappeared after chemotherapy before surgery, or if you’ve had another cancer in the past (with a few exceptions).

What Will Happen If You Join?

People who join the study will be randomly assigned (like the toss of a coin) to one of two groups:

1. Camizestrant (AZD9833): a tablet you take once a day for up to 7 years.
   
   
2. Standard hormone therapy, such as an aromatase inhibitor. If you are pre-menopausal you will also need ovarian function suppression to go on this medication. 
1. This is standard of care treatment
   
   

You’ll have regular hospital visits for:

• Check-ups and blood tests
  
  
• Questionnaires about how you feel and your quality of life

You will have a dedicated research nurse assigned to your care. 

Your care team will explain everything and support you throughout.

Where Can I Take Part?

Your doctor or nurse can check whether this study is suitable for you. You can join the CAMBRIA-2 study at these Dublin hospitals, which are experienced in breast cancer care and research:

• Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH) & Mater Private Hospital (MPH)
• St Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH)