Finding the Best Tamoxifen Dose for Breast Cancer Risk Reduction in Premenopausal Women, RENAISSANCE Trial

Last updated: June 14, 2025
Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

2

Condition

Breast Cancer

Precancerous Condition

Genitourinary Cancer

Treatment

Tamoxifen

Biospecimen Collection

Questionnaire Administration

Clinical Study ID

NCT06184750
NCI-2023-10628
INT23-14-01
UG1CA242643
P30CA060553
NCI-2023-10628
UG1CA242609
NCI23-14-01
UG1CA242632
UG1CA242596
UG1CA242635
NCI23-14-0
  • Ages 18-55
  • Female

Study Summary

This phase II trial evaluates response-guided low-dose tamoxifen for reducing breast density in women who are at higher than average risk for breast cancer. Increasing breast density is a well established risk factor for breast cancer. Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator. It works by blocking the effects of the hormone estrogen in the breast. Tamoxifen has been shown to reduce breast density, even at reduced dosages, and is approved for the prevention of breast cancer.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

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 oneintact ovary

  • Women who are not postmenopausal based on serum hormone levels (estradiol =< 30pg/mL, follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH] >= 30 IU/mL)

  • Women with any of the following:

  • A history of unilateral estrogen receptor (ER) positive ductal carcinoma insitu (DCIS) with local therapy completed (as determined by treating physicianrecommendation and patient acceptance) at least 1 month prior to study entry. (The untreated breast will be the study breast, for both imaging and optionalbiopsy)

  • Recent or prior lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), or any form of epithelialatypia

  • 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 CancerSurveillance 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 notrelevant to females under 18 years of age since breast cancer is extraordinarilyrare in this age group, and there are no guidelines regarding use of tamoxifen inchildren, even if know to be at very high risk for breast cancer when older. Becauseno dosing or adverse event (AE) data are currently available on the use of tamoxifenin 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 ifthey are on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load withinthe prior 6 months

  • Women with evidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, are also eligibleif the HBV viral load is undetectable; they may be on suppressive therapy, ifindicated

  • Women with a history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are eligible if treatedand cured. For those who are currently on treatment, they are eligible if they havean undetectable HCV viral load

  • Women with herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection are eligible if on chronic or asneeded (due to a flare) suppressive antiviral therapy

  • Hormonal contraceptive users are eligible and should maintain the same oralcontraceptive preparation throughout the duration of the trial. For women who have alevonorgestrel-coated intra-uterine device, removal for medical reasons will beallowed

  • The effects of tamoxifen on the developing human fetus at the recommendedtherapeutic dose are unknown. For this reason and because tamoxifen is known to beteratogenic, women of child-bearing potential must agree to use adequatecontraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior tostudy entry and for the duration of study participation. Should a woman becomepregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she shouldinform her study physician immediately

  • Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consentdocument

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS) breast density category A on mostrecent mammogram

  • History of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) use within the past 5 yearsunless:

  • Use was less than 6 months duration in the past 5 years and not used in the 1year prior to enrollment OR

  • Use was no greater than 2 months duration in the past 1 year and not used inthe 6 months prior to enrollment

  • History of invasive breast cancer

  • Prior bilateral breast surgery (mastectomy or breast augmentation surgery includingbreast implants)

  • Women with "mosaic mammographic screening views", i.e., whose larger breast sizeprecludes being imaged within a single mammographic screening view

  • Current use of a strong CYP3A4 inducer or a strong CYP2D6 inhibitor unless willingand able to discontinue use and switch to an alternative medication for the durationof participation, under the advice of their physician. If the physician believes thecurrent 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 participantswill be questioned about this and excluded if they are planning pregnancy over thenext 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 orbiologic composition to tamoxifen

  • Uncontrolled intercurrent illness or psychiatric illness/social situations thatwould limit compliance with study requirements

  • Pregnant women are excluded from this study because tamoxifen a category D agentwith the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Because there is anunknown but potential risk for AEs in nursing infants secondary to treatment of themother with tamoxifen. Breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treatedwith tamoxifen

Study Design

Total Participants: 200
Treatment Group(s): 6
Primary Treatment: Tamoxifen
Phase: 2
Study Start date:
September 27, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
September 30, 2028

Study Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To evaluate whether the overall proportion of premenopausal tamoxifen responders (defined by absolute dense area reduction on mammogram of > 10%) can be increased through a strategy of within-individual dose escalation among non-responders from 5 mg per day to 10 mg per day.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To assess the association of plasma levels of major tamoxifen metabolites with tamoxifen dose and breast density changes from baseline.

II. To evaluate longitudinal change from baseline in serum biomarkers of tamoxifen response at each dose level: sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

III. To assess the association of baseline dense area (continuous variable) with tamoxifen response.

IV. To evaluate the impact of tamoxifen dose on participant-reported symptoms (Breast Eight Symptom Scale, BESS).

V. To evaluate the impact of tamoxifen dose on adherence to final tamoxifen dose.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:

I. To evaluate breast tissue-based biomarkers (in research biopsy samples) that associate with tamoxifen response at six months, comparing within-person change in responders and non-responder.

II. To assess the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms that overlap between risk of breast cancer and dense are of breasts; and others that relate to efficiency of tamoxifen metabolism.

III. To evaluate change in breast cancer risk estimates from baseline to 18 months, as assessed by an AI (artificial intelligence) tool and compare changes by dose group.

OUTLINE: This is a within-participant dose-escalation study of tamoxifen.

Participants receive tamoxifen 5mg orally (PO) once daily (QD) for 6 months. Participants with absolute dense area reduction (aDAR) >= 10% on mammogram at 6 months continue receiving tamoxifen 5mg PO QD for 12 months. Participants with aDAR < 10% at 6 months are escalated to receive tamoxifen 10mg PO QD for 6 months. Participants with aDAR >= 10% after 6 months of tamoxifen 10mg continue receiving tamoxifen 10 mg PO QD for 6 months. Participants with aDAR < 10% after 6 months of tamoxifen 10mg are given the option of continuing tamoxifen 10mg or escalating to receive tamoxifen 20mg PO QD for 6 months. Participants undergo mammography and collection of blood samples at screening and on study. Participants may optionally undergo biopsy at screening and on study.

After completion of study intervention, patients are followed up at 4 weeks.

Connect with a study center

  • University of Arizona Cancer Center - Prevention Research Clinic

    Tucson, Arizona 85719
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Northwestern University

    Chicago, Illinois 60611
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • University of Illinois College of Medicine - Chicago

    Chicago, Illinois 60612
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Kansas Cancer Center

    Kansas City, Kansas 66160
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts 02115
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

    Boston, Massachusetts 02215
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Washington University School of Medicine

    Saint Louis, Missouri 63110
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Case Western Reserve University

    Cleveland, Ohio 44106
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Medical University of South Carolina

    Charleston, South Carolina 29425
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • M D Anderson Cancer Center

    Houston, Texas 77030
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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