Active clinical trials for "Breast Neoplasms"

RATIONALE: Exercise may help improve mobility and relieve fatigue and/or weakness in cancer survivors. It is not yet known whether exercise is more effective than standard therapy in improving mobility and reducing fatigue and/or weakness in older cancer survivors. PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying exercise to see how well it works compared to standard therapy in improving mobility and reducing fatigue and/or weakness in older cancer survivors.

RATIONALE: Antifungals such as ravuconazole may be effective in preventing fungal infections in patients undergoing chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. PURPOSE: Phase I/II trial to study the effectiveness of ravuconazole in preventing fungal infections in patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies can locate tumor cells and either kill them or deliver tumor-killing substances to them without harming normal cells. Zoledronate may prevent bone loss and stop the growth of tumor cells in bone. It is not yet known whether monoclonal antibody is more effective than zoledronate in treating women who have breast cancer and bone metastases. PURPOSE: Randomized phase I/II trial to compare the effectiveness of monoclonal antibody with that of zoledronate in treating women who have breast cancer and bone metastases.

RATIONALE: The herbal supplement black cohosh may be effective in relieving hot flashes in women. PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to determine the effectiveness of black cohosh in relieving hot flashes in women who have breast cancer or who are at risk of developing breast cancer.

The study objective is to evaluate the differences, in terms of first occurrence of a skeletal event, in patients with breast cancer and symptomatic bone metastases, when pamidronate is administered during 2 years, or when it is administered during 6 months, followed by a six month rest period, and again a 6 month treatment period.

5-10% of breast cancer patients carry a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Genetic counseling and DNA testing are usually offered to selected patients after primary treatment has been completed (e.g. the first year after diagnosis). For women with a mutation in one of the two breast-ovarian cancer syndrome genes, chances of a second breast cancer are high, and therefore a proportion of these women may opt for preventive measures in addition to their immediate breast cancer treatment. Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy significantly reduces this risk, and is associated with a reduction in mortality. Genetic counseling and testing for breast cancer typically takes approximately 4-6 months to complete. However, some hospitals and laboratories are now able to generate test results within 3 to 6 weeks. This technology of rapid genetic testing creates new opportunities for providing both women and their treating surgeons with information potentially relevant for deciding between available treatment options, including type of surgery and adjuvant therapy. The study will focus on newly diagnosed breast cancer patients who, prior to receiving treatment, are identified as having at least a 10% risk of carrying a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. We will investigate whether women with a recent diagnosis of breast cancer make use of rapid genetic counseling when offered. Furthermore, we will investigate whether the process of genetic counseling (and subsequent DNA testing) has influence on the choice of treatment, and whether and how such rapid genetic counseling and testing (RGCT) affects levels of risk perception, cancer-related worries and distress, and decisional satisfaction.

The primary objective of this trial is to compare the rate of pathologically complete remissions achieved using a preoperative dose-intensified 8 week therapy consisting of adriamycin and docetaxel with a preoperative sequential 24 week regimen consisting of adriamycin/cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel, in patients with operable carcinoma of the breast. Secondary aims are to assess disease-free and overall survival, the rate of complete and partial responses by palpation and imaging methods, the rate of breast-conserving operations, and the toxicity of the two chemotherapy regimens. Women meeting the following criteria will be eligible for the study: those with operable breast cancer (T2-3 N0-2 M0), with the diagnosis histologically confirmed by biopsy, and measurable disease on mammography or sonography or breast MRI (the most appropriate method should be chosen by the investigator). After the patients have given written informed consent, they will be randomly assigned to the study treatments. Patients in group I will receive four cycles of combination chemotherapy consisting of adriamycin 50 mg/m2 (15 min i.v. infusion) and docetaxel 75 mg/m2 (1 h i.v. infusion) repeated every 14 days, followed by surgery 9-10 weeks after the start of therapy. Patients in group II will receive four cycles of adriamycin 60 mg/m2 (15 min i.v.) and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 (1 h i.v.) every three weeks, followed by four cycles of docetaxel 100 mg/m2 (1 h i.v.) every three weeks. Surgery will be performed during week 25 or 26. Patients in both groups will additionally receive oral doses of tamoxifen 20 mg once daily for 5 years, starting on the first day of chemotherapy. Surgery will consist of removal of the remaining tumor (breast-conserving resection or mastectomy) and axillary dissection (Sentinel node biopsy is allowed if the patient is involved in a randomized trial. Radiotherapy is applicated according to standard proceedings of participating center. A second randomization for additional versus no additional postoperative chemotherapy is recommended in ypN+ disease. Patients with disease progression during preoperative therapy, chemotherapy can be stopped and surgery can be performed immediately.

The purpose of this research project is to study the effect of a research (investigational) drug, MK-0752 combined with either tamoxifen or letrozole on breast cancer cells. Tamoxifen and letrozole are standard hormone treatments used to treat breast cancers that are positive for the estrogen receptor. However, over time the breast cancer cells can become resistant to tamoxifen and letrozole. MK-0752 is in a class of drugs called gamma secretase inhibitors. Gamma secretase inhibitors may play a role in reversing the resistance to drugs such as tamoxifen and letrozole.

The purpose and aim of this study is to test the use of a computer-based, automated telecommunications system and its effectiveness in increasing the rates of regular screening mammography among women ages 50-74. The system will not only help in scheduling appointments but will help women in overcoming any barriers that may deter them from having the procedure at all. The programs are designed to be user friendly and easy to implement in clinical practice.

Over 30 studies have shown that exercise can improve physical fitness, reduce fatigue, increase functioning, and enhance overall quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer survivors both during and after treatments. Research has also shown, however, that breast cancer survivors experience a significant reduction in physical activity during treatments that is not recovered even years after treatments are completed. The objectives of this study are to examine the effects of two behavior change interventions (a step pedometer and printed materials) on physical activity, social cognitive variables, and QoL in a population-based sample of breast cancer survivors. Approximately 300 breast cancer survivors living in Northern Alberta will be randomized to one of four groups: (1) an exercise recommendation only group (viewed as the current standard of care), (2) an exercise recommendation plus pedometer group, (3) an exercise recommendation plus printed materials group, and (4) an exercise recommendation plus pedometer and printed materials group. Our primary hypothesis is that participants receiving the combined pedometer and printed materials intervention will report the greatest change in physical activity. Our secondary hypotheses are that these interventions will also result in improved QoL and more positive social cognitive beliefs about exercise in breast cancer survivors. Given the geographic dispersion of our population, finding practical and sustainable interventions that employ distance medicine-based approaches may be ideal for promoting healthy activity patterns in breast cancer survivors in Northern Alberta.