Copper depletion as a therapeutic strategy to prevent metastases in triple negative breast cancer: Unraveling the mechanisms behind the effect of copper depletion on the tumor and tumor microenvironment

Summary:

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive cancer that accounts for 15-20% of all breast cancer cases; however, it is responsible for 50% of metastasis-related deaths. Despite initial treatment, those with significant residual disease at surgery have a >60% chance of relapse at 5 years. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop well-tolerated, targeted anti-metastatic therapeutic approaches for the treatment of TNBC to reduce relapse and improve survival. Copper, a trace element, plays an integral role in the development of metastases. LOX, a protein that requires copper to work, has been found to promote and facilitate metastasis. This phase study will assess if tetrathiomolybdate (TM), a copper lowering agent, in combination with capecitabine, a chemotherapy, can prevent metastases in patients with TNBC at high risk for relapse versus capecitabine alone. 

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: Pending