Finding the Best Tamoxifen Dose for Breast Cancer Risk Reduction in Premenopausal Women, RENAISSANCE Trial
Launched by NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI) · Dec 27, 2023
Trial Information
Current as of June 26, 2025
Recruiting
Keywords
ClinConnect Summary
The RENAISSANCE Trial is a study looking at how well a lower dose of tamoxifen can help reduce breast density in premenopausal women who are at a higher risk for developing breast cancer. Breast density is a significant risk factor for breast cancer, and tamoxifen is a medication that works by blocking the effects of estrogen in the breast, which can help lower this risk. The trial is currently recruiting women aged between 18 and 55 who have specific breast conditions or risk factors, such as a history of certain types of breast cancer or high breast cancer risk scores.
Participants in the trial can expect to take a lower dose of tamoxifen and will be monitored for how their breast density changes over time. To be eligible, women must be premenopausal and meet certain health criteria, such as not having a history of invasive breast cancer or significant breast surgeries. It’s important for participants to understand that they need to use effective birth control during the study, as tamoxifen can affect pregnancy. Overall, this trial aims to find a safe and effective way to reduce breast cancer risk in women with higher-than-average breast cancer risk.
Gender
FEMALE
Eligibility criteria
- Inclusion Criteria:
- * Premenopausal women at the time of enrollment defined by any of the following:
- • Age under 50 years and regular menstruation (most recent period within the past 3 months)
- • Age under 50 years and continuous hormonal contraception use and at least one intact ovary
- • Women who are not postmenopausal based on serum hormone levels (estradiol =\< 30 pg/mL, follicle-stimulating hormone \[FSH\] \>= 30 IU/mL)
- * Women with any of the following:
- • A history of unilateral estrogen receptor (ER) positive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) with local therapy completed (as determined by treating physician recommendation and patient acceptance) at least 1 month prior to study entry. (The untreated breast will be the study breast, for both imaging and optional biopsy)
- • Recent or prior lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), or any form of epithelial atypia
- • Are risk eligible for preventive medication based on a five-year risk of 1.7% or greater, estimated with a validated model: the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool, Tyrer-Cusick, Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium. If the Tyrer-Cuzick model is used a ten-year risk of 3.4% or greater is acceptable
- • Are tamoxifen-eligible by American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines (\>= 2-fold increased risk compared to peer if age \>= 45 years, and \>= 4-fold increased risk if age \< 45 years)
- • A history of mantle radiotherapy
- • A moderate penetrance germline pathogenic variant
- • Participants ≥ 18 and ≤ 55 years old will be enrolled. Our trial objectives are not relevant to females under 18 years of age since breast cancer is extraordinarily rare in this age group, and there are no guidelines regarding use of tamoxifen in children, even if know to be at very high risk for breast cancer when older. Because no dosing or adverse event (AE) data are currently available on the use of tamoxifen in participants \< 18 years of age
- • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status must be =\< 2 (Karnofsky \>= 60%)
- • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients are eligible to participate if they are on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load within the prior 6 months
- • Women with evidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, are also eligible if the HBV viral load is undetectable; they may be on suppressive therapy, if indicated
- • Women with a history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are eligible if treated and cured. For those who are currently on treatment, they are eligible if they have an undetectable HCV viral load
- • Women with herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection are eligible if on chronic or as needed (due to a flare) suppressive antiviral therapy
- • Hormonal contraceptive users are eligible and should maintain the same oral contraceptive preparation throughout the duration of the trial. For women who have a levonorgestrel-coated intra-uterine device, removal for medical reasons will be allowed
- • The effects of tamoxifen on the developing human fetus at the recommended therapeutic dose are unknown. For this reason and because tamoxifen is known to be teratogenic, women of child-bearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her study physician immediately
- • Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document
- Exclusion Criteria:
- • Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS) breast density category A on most recent mammogram
- * History of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) use within the past 5 years unless:
- • Use was less than 6 months duration in the past 5 years and not used in the 1 year prior to enrollment OR
- • Use was no greater than 2 months duration in the past 1 year and not used in the 6 months prior to enrollment
- • History of invasive breast cancer
- • Prior bilateral breast surgery (mastectomy or breast augmentation surgery including breast implants)
- • Women with "mosaic mammographic screening views", i.e., whose larger breast size precludes being imaged within a single mammographic screening view
- • Current use of a strong CYP3A4 inducer or a strong CYP2D6 inhibitor unless willing and able to discontinue use and switch to an alternative medication for the duration of participation, under the advice of their physician. If the physician believes the current medication cannot be replaced, the participant will not be eligible
- • Current use of Warfarin
- • Planning to become pregnant within the next two years. Potential study participants will be questioned about this and excluded if they are planning pregnancy over the next 20 months
- • History of thromboembolism. A history of superficial thrombophlebitis is allowed
- • History of uterine cancer or atypical uterine hyperplasia with uterus intact
- • Participants may not be receiving any other investigational agents
- • History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to tamoxifen
- • Uncontrolled intercurrent illness or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
- • Pregnant women are excluded from this study because tamoxifen a category D agent with the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Because there is an unknown but potential risk for AEs in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with tamoxifen. Breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treated with tamoxifen
About National Cancer Institute (Nci)
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is a prominent component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), dedicated to advancing cancer research and improving patient outcomes through innovative clinical trials. As a leading sponsor of cancer-related studies, NCI focuses on facilitating the development of new therapies, enhancing prevention strategies, and understanding the biology of cancer. The institute collaborates with academic institutions, healthcare providers, and industry partners to conduct rigorous clinical trials that aim to translate scientific discoveries into effective treatments. NCI’s commitment to fostering a robust research environment supports the mission to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.
Contacts
Jennifer Cobb
Immunology at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Locations
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Houston, Texas, United States
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Tucson, Arizona, United States
Patients applied
Trial Officials
Seema A Khan
Principal Investigator
Northwestern University
Timeline
First submit
Trial launched
Trial updated
Estimated completion
Not reported