Clinical trials aimed at breast cancer

STAMFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- More and more hospitals in Connecticut are offering clinical trials aimed at cancer. Stamford Hospital is looking for more women and men to sign up for studies, specifically for breast cancer.

Until recently, there has not been a drug available for women diagnosed with breast cancer with low levels of the Her2 protein, which can help grow tumors.
  
That is, until now.

"For those patients who may not be cured by traditional therapy, this may get them over the brink to be cured," said Dr. Paul Weinstein.
   
Cancer specialist Dr. Weinstein at Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital is the local lead investigator of a Phase Three clinical trial of a vaccine.

"These are for women who have much lower amounts of the Her2 new protein on their cancer cells surfaces," said Dr. Weinstein.

That could increase survival rates among these women, not considered Her2 positive.

"It stimulates the immune system to seek out, destroy any cancer cell with any degree of Her2 positivity," Dr. Weinstein said.   

Earlier studies show promise. Dr. Weinstein says it's another example of harnessing the immune system to fight cancer.

Dr. Anne Angevine is looking into how the drug Metaformin, prescribed for Type 2 diabetics, can reduce the risk for recurrence in women and men diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.
 
"We know that breast cancer cells have insulin receptors on them. So if high levels of insulin are stimulating a breast cancer cell to grow, to divide, to multiply," said Dr. Angevine. "If we can reduce the levels of insulin in a woman's body, maybe we can reduce the chances that her breast cancer will ever come back."

It's a Phase Three five-year randomized trial, meaning participants will either be assigned to Metaformin or a placebo. 

"What we hope Metaformin will do is reduce insulin resistance, reduce insulin circulating in a patient's body, reduce the signals to the cell that are telling that cell to grow, divide and multiply," Dr. Angevine said.

Those are just two of four clinical studies on breast cancer at the Bennett Cancer Center. For more information call 203-276-8445 or visit the hospital's website .