Active Not Recruiting INTERVENTIONAL NCT02954874

Testing MK-3475 (Pembrolizumab) as Adjuvant Therapy for Triple Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer

A Randomized, Phase III Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) as Adjuvant Therapy for Triple Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer With >/= 1 CM Residual Invasive Cancer or Positive Lymph Nodes (ypN1mi, ypN1-3) After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Conditions Breast Carcinoma In Situ Invasive Breast Carcinoma Stage I Breast Cancer AJCC v7 Stage II Breast Cancer AJCC v6 and v7 Stage III Breast Cancer AJCC v7 Triple-Negative Breast Carcinoma

Interventions Biospecimen Collection Laboratory Biomarker Analysis Patient Observation Pembrolizumab Quality-of-Life Assessment Questionnaire Administration Radiation Therapy

Updated 101 times since 2017 Last updated: Apr 30, 2026 Started: Jan 18, 2017 Primary completion: May 31, 2026 Completion: May 31, 2026

This information is for research purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before making any medical decision.

This observational or N/A phase trial investigates Breast Carcinoma In Situ and Invasive Breast Carcinoma and is currently ongoing. National Cancer Institute (NCI) leads this study, which shows 101 recorded versions since 2017 — indicating substantial longitudinal coverage. As an oncology study, it adds to the longitudinal record of treatment development for this indication.

Study Description(click to expand)

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To compare invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) of patients with triple-negative (TNBC) or low estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and/or HER2 borderline breast cancer who have \>= 1 cm residual invasive breast cancer and/or positive lymph nodes (ypN1mi, ypN1, ypN2, ypN3) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy randomized to receive 1 year of MK-3475 (pembrolizumab) adjuvant therapy compared to no MK-3475 (pembrolizumab), in both the entire study population and also in the PD-L1 positive subset. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To compare the effects of MK-3475 (pembrolizumab) on overall survival (OS) and distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS) between the two randomized arms for the PD-L1 positive patients and then all patients. II. To assess the toxicity and tolerability of MK-3475 (pembrolizumab) in this patient population with or without radiation therapy. BEHAVIORAL AND HEALTH OUTCOMES (BAHO) STUDY OBJECTIVES: I. To examine the association between biomarkers of inflammation and quality of life and patient reported outcomes between the two groups during and at the end of therapy. II. To examine the long-term and late effects of treatment on patient-reported outcomes. ADDITIONAL OBJECTIVE: I. To collect tissue and whole blood for processing and banking in anticipation of future correlative studies in this patient population. OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to...

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To compare invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) of patients with triple-negative (TNBC) or low estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and/or HER2 borderline breast cancer who have \>= 1 cm residual invasive breast cancer and/or positive lymph nodes (ypN1mi, ypN1, ypN2, ypN3) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy randomized to receive 1 year of MK-3475 (pembrolizumab) adjuvant therapy compared to no MK-3475 (pembrolizumab), in both the entire study population and also in the PD-L1 positive subset.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To compare the effects of MK-3475 (pembrolizumab) on overall survival (OS) and distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS) between the two randomized arms for the PD-L1 positive patients and then all patients.

II. To assess the toxicity and tolerability of MK-3475 (pembrolizumab) in this patient population with or without radiation therapy.

BEHAVIORAL AND HEALTH OUTCOMES (BAHO) STUDY OBJECTIVES:

I. To examine the association between biomarkers of inflammation and quality of life and patient reported outcomes between the two groups during and at the end of therapy.

II. To examine the long-term and late effects of treatment on patient-reported outcomes.

ADDITIONAL OBJECTIVE:

I. To collect tissue and whole blood for processing and banking in anticipation of future correlative studies in this patient population.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM I (OBSERVATION): Patients receive no treatment but are monitored at standard clinical intervals during first year after randomization. Patients are examined every 12 weeks for 1 year, and every 6 months for 4 years, then annually for 5 years.

ARM II (PEMBROLIZUMAB): Patients receive pembrolizumab intravenously (IV) over 30 minutes on days 1 and 22. Cycles repeat every 42 days for 52 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

All patients may undergo radiation therapy within 12 weeks of last breast cancer operation or after treatment. Patients may also undergo collection of blood samples throughout the trial.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 6 months for 5 years, then annually thereafter until 10 years from treatment randomization.

Status Flow

Change History

101 versions recorded

May 4, 2026 — Present [daily]

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Eligibility Summary

This randomized phase III trial studies how well pembrolizumab works in treating patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread.

Contact Information

Sponsor contact:

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Data source: ClinicalTrials.gov

For direct contact, visit the study record on ClinicalTrials.gov .

Study Locations

Aberdeen, United States , Abington, United States , Akron, United States , Albany, United States , Albemarle, United States , Albuquerque, United States , Albuquerque, United States , Albuquerque, United States , Albuquerque, United States , Alexandria, United States and 909 more locations