Recruiting

Phase 2

Acolbifene vs. TamoxifenAcolbifene Versus Low Dose Tamoxifen for the Prevention of Breast Cancer in Premenopausal Women at High Risk for Development of Breast Cancer

Sponsor:

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Code:

NCT05941520

Conditions

Breast Atypical Hyperplasia

Breast Carcinoma

Breast Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Breast Lobular Carcinoma In Situ

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: Female

Age: 35+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Acolbifene Hydrochloride

Biospecimen Collection

Mammography

Questionnaire Administration

Random Periareolar Fine-Needle Aspiration

Study Details

Brief summary:

This phase IIA trial compares the effect of acolbifene versus low dose tamoxifen in preventing breast cancer in premenopausal women at high risk for developing breast cancer. The usual approach for patients at increased risk for breast cancer is to undergo yearly breast magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound in addition to yearly mammogram. Premenopausal women at very high lifetime risk for breast cancer (greater than 50%) can consider preventive removal (mastectomy) of both breasts. Premenopausal women age 35 or older with a prior diagnosis of atypical hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ, or an estimated 10-year risk of greater than or equal to 3% or estimated 10-year risk of greater than or equal to 2-5 times that of the average woman (depending on age) may be advised to consider five years of standard dose tamoxifen. Standard dose tamoxifen is four times the dose used in this study. Estrogen can cause the development and growth of breast cancer cells. Acolbifene and tamoxifen blocks the use of estrogen by breast cells. This study may help researchers measure the effects of acolbifene and low dose tamoxifen on markers of breast cancer risk in mammogram imaging, breast tissue, and in blood samples.

Conditions

Breast Atypical Hyperplasia

Breast Carcinoma

Breast Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Breast Lobular Carcinoma In Situ

Study ID

NCT05941520

Start date

Oct 10, 2024

Status verified date

Jul, 2026

Completion date

Sep 1, 2028

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Aug 23, 2027

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: Female

Age: 35+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

Age >= 35 years
Considered clinically premenopausal
Having regular menstrual cycles (between 21 and 35 days) unless a contraceptive device such as progestin containing intrauterine device (IUD) (e.g., Mirena IUD) or oral contraceptives is being used which suppresses menstrual periods, or premenopausal women who have undergone a hysterectomy, but have at least one intact ovary
Not considering pregnancy for at least 12 months
Women of child-bearing potential capacity who are heterosexually active must be willing to have used effective birth control precautions for 8 weeks prior to fine needle aspiration and be willing to continue for 8 weeks after study completion as tamoxifen may have teratogenic effects on the developing fetus. Reproductive and developmental toxicity studies have not been conducted with acolbifene. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she must stop study drug and inform her study physician immediately.

For women who are heterosexually active not using oral contraceptive (progestin alone or estrogen plus a progestin), two of the following are recommended but woman must agree to at least one of the following methods:

IUD non-hormonal or hormone containing (usually a progestin) intrauterine device (IUD) or rings. Any of these should have been inserted at least 8 weeks prior to RPFNA.
Barrier method (such as condoms and diaphragms or cervical caps with or without a spermicide)
Partner has had a vasectomy.
For women who are heterosexually active using oral contraceptive (progestin alone or estrogen plus a progestin), woman must agree to at least a non- hormonal IUD or a barrier method (below) or her partner must have had a vasectomy:

Non-hormonal IUD
Barrier method (such as condoms and diaphragms or cervical caps with or without a spermicide)
Partner has had a vasectomy
Must have increased breast cancer risk as predicted by any one or more of the conditions listed below or increased model calculated risk as below:

Any one or more of the following conditions associated with increased risk (condition must be documented in electronic medical record or copy of relevant pathology or genetic testing reports submitted with the eligibility checklist)

A prior biopsy at any time in the past showing ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), atypical hyperplasia. (If DCIS must have been treated by mastectomy or local excision +/- radiation with this treatment completed at least 3 months prior to screening with RPFNA)
High or moderate penetrance risk pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline gene mutation in ATM, BARD1, BRIP1, CDH1, CHEK2, MSH6, NBN, NF1, PTEN, PMS2, RAD51C, RAD51D, TP53, BRCA2, or PALB2
High polygenic risk score (Life-time risk of >= 2x average or 25%)
Breast cancer in a first or second degree relative (female or male) with onset under age 50. First degree relative is defined as parent, sibling, or child. Second degree relative is defined as grandparent, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, half-sibling, grandchild or first cousin
Two or more affected first or second-degree relatives from either the maternal or paternal lineage without regard to age
Bilateral breast cancer or breast and ovarian cancer in the same first or second degree relative without regard to age.
High mammographic density defined as either visual estimate of area of density (VAS) > 50%, or Volpara (Trademark) >= 15% dense volume (Volpara d) or Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS) assessment of extremely dense (BIRADs D)
Chest irradiation prior to age 30
Alternatively, instead of conditions listed above, an increased risk of breast cancer as calculated by International Breast Cancer Intervention Study Version 8 (IBIS 8), or Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC) 3 by one or more of the following criteria:

10-year risk of breast cancer of >= 3%
Increase in age specific 10-year relative risk by age group

Age 35-39 10-year relative risk of >= 5X that for age group
Age 40-44 10-year risk of >= 4X that for age group
Age 45 and up 10-year risk of >= 2X
IBIS Version 8 Remaining lifetime risk of >= 25% or >= 2X that of population
A copy of the output of model calculations from IBIS 8 (https://ems-trials.org/riskevaluator/), or BCSC version 3.0 (https://tools.bcsc-scc.org/BC5yearRisk/calculator.htm) online tools, if used for qualifying risk assessment, or polygenetic risk score should be submitted with the eligibility checklist. Otherwise, these risk qualifying factors need to be documented in the medical record if that is considered the source document
Women must have at least 1 unaffected untreated breast for fine needle aspiration. Women may have had prior unilateral breast radiation or mastectomy for DCIS
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) current performance status (PS) ≤ 2 as documented within 3 months prior to randomization or Karnofsky score >= 60%
Total bilirubin =< 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (measured within 180 days prior to randomization)
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase \[SGOT\]) =< 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (measured within 180 days prior to randomization)
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase \[SGPT\]) =< 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (measured within 180 days prior to randomization)
Creatinine =< 2.0 mg/dL (measured within 180 days prior to randomization)
Willingness and ability to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plans, laboratory tests, and other study procedures
Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document
Confirmation that fixed (Cytolyt™) and frozen tissue specimens have been received in good condition at KUMC and are likely adequate for assessment of the primary endpoint. Confirmation will be provided by Protocol PI(s) and/or KUMC Laboratory personnel
Confirmation that a Volpara™ Score Card or a Volpara Data Manager (VDM)-generated Excel file has been received at KUMC and archived for assessment of the secondary endpoint. Confirmation will be provided by Protocol PI(s) and/or KUMC study coordinator. Alternatively, confirmation may be provided by site personnel that a raw image file in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format has been archived at the site such that it can be later used for generation of a Volpara™ Score Card or Excel file

Exclusion Criteria:

Bilateral breast implants (danger of implant puncture with RPFNA)
Women who are pregnant
Currently breastfeeding (concern that tamoxifen or acolbifene may be in breast milk) or nursing within the past 12 months (concern about milk fistula with RPFNA)
Prior invasive breast cancer within the past 5 years
Other prior invasive cancer > T1 stage (other than non-melanoma skin) within the past 5 years
Pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline mutation in BRCA1
Type I or Type II diabetes mellitus requiring treatment with prescription medication
Prior deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, or stroke
History of chronic liver disease including NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) and chronic hepatitis C
History of chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C (danger of exacerbation of liver damage from hepatitis or tamoxifen-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis)
History of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infection (danger of exacerbation of underlying clinically inapparent liver damage caused by HIV and/or hepatotoxicity can be induced by interaction of tamoxifen-induced CYP3A4 with direct anti-hepatitis C virus \[HCV\] agents)
Current use of prescription anticoagulants such as Coumadin (warfarin), direct-acting oral anticoagulants such as Xarelto (rivaroxaban) or Eliquis (apixaban), or heparin
Women who, due to a medical condition, would not be able to discontinue daily use of aspirin (81 mg or higher) and aspirin containing products (81 mg or higher) at least 3 weeks prior to each RPFNA are not eligible
Starting or stopping oral contraceptives (OCs) or hormonal progestin IUDs within 8 weeks of baseline RPFNA
Current use or use within the prior 8 weeks of progesterone/progestin injections or progestin implants (due to concerns about high levels of progestin and lack of safety and efficacy data with low dose tamoxifen)
Current use of other investigational agents
Prior treatment with acolbifene for more than 2 months
Prior treatment with tamoxifen for more than 2 months
Current use of prescription immunosuppressive drugs
History of allergic reactions attributed to tamoxifen or acolbifene or compounds of similar chemical composition
Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study
Use of GLP-1 or GIP receptor agonist within 8 weeks of enrollment or plan to use a GLP-1 or GIP receptor agonist during study participation

Study Design

Enrollment

80 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Prevention

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Group 1 (acolbifene)

Patients receive acolbifene PO QD for 6 months in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo 3D mammography and collection of blood samples during screening and at the end of acolbifene treatment. In addition, patients undergo RPFNA during screening and during day 1-10 of their menstrual cycle, or if not menstruating, at the convenience of the patient and study staff.

active comparator: Group 2 (tamoxifen)

Patients receive tamoxifen PO QD for 6 months in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also undergo 3D mammography and collection of blood samples during screening and at the end of tamoxifen treatment. In addition, patients undergo RPFNA during screening and day 1-10 of their menstrual cycle, or if not menstruating, at the convenience of the patient and study staff.

Interventions

Acolbifene Hydrochloride

Given PO

Biospecimen Collection

Undergo collection of blood

Mammography

Undergo 3D mammography

Questionnaire Administration

Ancillary studies

Random Periareolar Fine-Needle Aspiration

Undergo RPFNA

Tamoxifen

Given PO

Primary outcome measure

Change in the relative abundance of the specific sequence of messenger ribonucleic acid that codes for AGR2 [ Time Frame: Baseline up to 6 months ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Locations

City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center

Recruiting

Duarte, California, United States, 91010

Contacts

Lisa D. Yee

626-218-7100 lyee@coh.org

Principal Investigator:

Lisa D. Yee

Northwestern University

Recruiting

Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611

Contacts

Seema A. Khan

312-695-0990 skhan2@northwestern.edu

Principal Investigator:

Seema A. Khan

University of Kansas Cancer Center

Recruiting

Kansas City, Kansas, United States, 66160

Contacts

Carol J. Fabian

913-588-7791 cfabian@kumc.edu

Principal Investigator:

Carol J. Fabian

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Recruiting

Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43210

Contacts

Sagar D. Sardesai

614-366-8541 sagar.sardesai@osumc.edu

Principal Investigator:

Sagar D. Sardesai

More Information

Sponsor

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Last update posted

Jul 7, 2026

Last verified

Jul, 2026

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-08. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by National Cancer Institute (NCI) on 2026-07-07.