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HARMONY: Harnessing the Analysis of RNA Expression and Molecular Subtype to Optimize Novel TherapY for Metastatic Breast Cancer

NCT ID: NCT03769415Sponsor: UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterLast updated: 2026-01-30

Summary

The HARMONY trial is an interventional trial enrolling metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Current treatment of breast cancer uses clinical subtype information (e.g. hormone receptor-positive (HR+)) to help guide treatment options. Breast cancer can also be characterized by molecular subtype, but it is not known if this information is helpful in determining treatment when breast cancer has become metastatic. HARMONY will give the treating physician of each participant the molecular subtype of the tumor based on PAM50 testing. The usefulness of this information will be determined through the physician survey. Finding out the molecular subtype of each tumor also allows the investigators to determine if the molecular subtype is different from what is expected based on the clinical subtype. This study will help determine how new types of information about tumors can help choose treatments for MBC

Detailed description

Primary Objectives: 1. To determine if clinical: molecular subtypes differ from expected results 15% of the time 2. To determine if molecular information alters treatment plans, as perceived by treating physicians through the survey. Subjects will be consented to the trial and archival tissue from the primary tumor will be obtained. Stored tissue from metastatic sites will also be obtained. The physician will be asked what the preferred medications are for the next two lines of treatment. PAM50 testing to determine molecular subtypes will be determined on primary and metastatic tissue. The molecular subtype results of the primary tissue will be returned to the physician, and the physician will again be asked the preferred medications for the next two lines of treatment. The number of times these medications change between the first and second surveys will be determined. Subjects' active participation will only last as long as the consent process.

Arms & interventions

  • DeviceIntrinsic Subtyping of Primary Breast Cancer

    Primary breast tissue will be sent for Nanostring PAM50 Testing to determine intrinsic subtype

Outcome measures

Primary

  • Change of treatment plan based on physician survey

    Number of times physicians change response to the question:" What are the preferred next 2 lines of treatment?" after knowledge of molecular subtype

    Time frame: 4 years

  • Overall rate of clinical:molecular primary tumor subtype incongruence

    Number of times RNA-based molecular subtype differs from clinically determined subtype in primary breast tumors

    Time frame: 4 years

Secondary

  • Intra-patient PFS ratio comparison

    Time frame: 4 years

  • Intra-patient PFS ratio separated by clinical subtype

    Time frame: 4 years

  • Number of patients with HR+/HER2- MBC receiving endocrine therapy on each line of therapy

    Time frame: 4 years

  • Rate of molecular discordance

    Time frame: 4 year

  • PFS comparison in concordant therapy

    Time frame: 4 years

  • PFS comparison in disconcordant therapy

    Time frame: 4 years

Eligibility criteria

Sex: AllAge: 18 Years to 99 YearsHealthy volunteers: No
Inclusion Criteria: * Women or men at least 18 years of age * Pathologically documented diagnosis of measurable or evaluable metastatic breast cancer with known ER, PR, and HER2 status determined by the local laboratory on the primary tumor. * Enrolled before or during first line of treatment for metastatic breast cancer. No more than 1 prior line of therapy in the metastatic setting. * Accessible medical records for all treatment and response data in the metastatic setting. * Willing and able to receive medical treatment or follow up by investigators at UNC-Chapel Hill. * Receiving treatment for metastatic breast cancer. * Treating physician considers patient well enough for standard of care therapy including chemotherapy. * Willing to give blood for research purposes upon study enrollment and at first disease progression. * Available archival primary tumor suitable for molecular analysis. If the primary is not available, willingness to obtain extra samples for research during planned standard of care biopsy, or willingness to undergo biopsy for repeat clinical receptors and molecular analyses. * Archival metastatic sample available and suitable for molecular analysis. If not available, willingness to undergo biopsy for repeat clinical receptors and molecular analyses. If no archival metastatic sample is available and the metastasis is not amenable to biopsy per treating physician the patient may still be enrolled. * Be willing and capable of providing informed consent, recognize the experimental nature of the trial, and sign the IRB-approved written informed consent documentations Exclusion Criteria: * Does not have tissue available or suitable for molecular analysis, or is unwilling to provide tissue for research at the time of a clinically indicated procedure. * Has dementia, altered mental status, or any psychiatric or co-morbid condition prohibiting the understanding or rending of informed consent.

Study locations (2)

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599

Recruiting
Erin Kelly, MPH, RD, LDN · Contact
919-966-0040erin_kelly@med.unc.edu
Terri Eubanks · Contact
9199664530teubanks@med.unc.edu
Lisa A Carey, MD · Principal Investigator

UNC Rex Healthcare

Raleigh, North Carolina, 27607

Recruiting
Terri A Eubanks · Contact
919-966-4530teubanks@med.unc.edu
A · Contact
JoEllen Speca · Principal Investigator
Harnessing Analysis RNA Expression and Molecular Subtype to Optimize Novel TherapY MBCA | Cancerify