UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center has received up to $28 million to lead the EVOLVE clinical trial for metastatic breast cancer. This trial will adapt treatment plans in near real-time using patient-specific data. Aiming to enroll 700 patients, it is part of a larger effort to revolutionize personalized cancer therapy.

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center is set to lead a groundbreaking clinical trial for metastatic breast cancer, backed by up to $28 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health. This innovative trial, called the Evolutionary Clinical Trial for Novel Biomarker-Driven Therapies or simply EVOLVE, is designed to adapt treatment plans in near real-time by analyzing individual patient data, aiming to improve outcomes for those whose cancer has spread.

The EVOLVE study will tap into the collaborative strengths of UNC and 14 other institutions that are part of the Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium. This network, composed of top researchers from National Cancer Institute-designated centers, aims to expedite the process of translating vital lab discoveries into effective treatment options.

Lisa Carey, MD, leads the charge on this study. She holds roles as the L. Richardson and Marilyn Jacobs Preyer Distinguished Professor for Breast Cancer Research at UNC School of Medicine and deputy director of clinical sciences at UNC Lineberger. “Despite progress in treating breast cancer over the last 30 years, curative options for metastatic cases are still lacking,” she noted. This trial will leverage real-time biomarker data to tailor treatments as tumors evolve, a shift from traditional methods.

Other notable figures in the research include Ian Krop from Yale Cancer Center and Charles Perou from UNC Lineberger. The study aims to recruit around 700 patients battling metastatic breast cancer. Researchers will scrutinize tumor biopsies and medical records, and monitor blood samples for circulating tumor DNA. This method aims to detect signs of treatment resistance quickly, guiding therapy decisions instantaneously.

The initiative is part of a larger $142 million federal program aimed at revolutionizing precision cancer therapy. Initially focusing on breast, lung, and colon cancers, the Advanced Analysis for Precision Cancer Therapy program (ADAPT) is funding ten projects that marry the worlds of biology, data science, and oncology to combat treatment-resistant metastatic cancers.

Carey highlights a few significant research challenges that ADAPT plans to tackle: there’s a prevailing absence of strong predictive biomarkers for metastatic breast cancer. The integration of diverse data types, such as genomic and clinical information, into a cohesive framework during treatment has also been a major hurdle. “EVOLVE aims to change that,” she emphasized.

Metastatic breast cancer is known for its aggressive nature and remains a tough nut to crack. Although only a small percentage of patients are initially diagnosed with the metastatic form, it’s estimated that 15-20% of early-stage cases eventually metastasize. With a disheartening survival rate—only a third of patients making it beyond five years—there’s still a lot of work to do to address this pressing health issue.

Carey succinctly wrapped things up, stating, “Developing more effective treatments for metastatic breast cancer begins with understanding cancer’s evolution over time. This trial allows us to intervene earlier and adapt treatment as challenges arise, ultimately aiming for improved survival rates and quality of life for our patients.”

The UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center is leading a pivotal trial funded by a significant $28 million grant. The EVOLVE trial seeks to enhance treatment for metastatic breast cancer by utilizing real-time biomarker analysis, aiming to improve patient outcomes as cancer evolves. This initiative represents a broader effort within the federal precision cancer therapy program to innovate in personalized cancer treatment, targeting one of the most challenging forms of cancer today.

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