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Emotional Distress in Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer in First Line of Therapy

The Impact of Emotional Distress on First Line Therapy in Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer (EIRENE): a Prospective Observational Study

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06994377
Acronym
EIRENE
Enrollment
1000
Registered
2025-05-29
Start date
2025-06-25
Completion date
2029-06-01
Last updated
2026-06-17

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Metastatic Breast Cancer

Keywords

Metastatic Breast Cancer, Emotional Distress, First Line Therapy

Brief summary

Few data about the impact of emotional distress (ED) on treatment efficacy in patients with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) are available. Aim of this study is to assess the outcomes of patients with mBC receiving first-line treatment according to the presence of baseline ED.

Detailed description

Metastatic breast cancer (mBC) is the most incident and prevalent cancer in the world and, according to a recent meta-analysis, 50% of patients with BC report emotional distress (ED). In patients with cancer, ED negatively impacts treatment adherence, ability to self-manage the physical and emotional consequences of cancer symptoms and treatment-related adverse events, and overall quality of life. ED has been shown to directly affect treatment outcomes in patients with breast cancer, with studies demonstrating that psychological well-being plays a critical role in therapeutic success. Furthermore, recent studies showed that baseline ED is associated with a lower efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or melanoma. Few data about the impact of ED on treatment efficacy in patients with mBC are available. In the first line setting patients receive endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and/or targeted therapy according to the disease subtype. These agents display different mechanisms of action, which involve the immune system at different levels. However, the role of ED on the efficacy of these treatments according to the BC subtype is unknown. Aim of this study is to assess the outcomes of patients with mBC receiving first-line treatment according to the presence of baseline ED.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALED and quality of life assessment

Patients will undergo ED and quality of life assessments through specific questionnaires completion

Sponsors

European Institute of Oncology
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age over 18 years * Confirmed histological diagnosis of breast cancer * No prior treatment for advanced/metastatic cancer * Indication to receive first-line therapy as per standard clinical practice based on the disease subtype: 1. cohort A (HR-/HER2-, PD-L1+): pembrolizumab or atezolizumab + chemotherapy 2. cohort B (HR-/HER2-, PD-L1-): chemotherapy 3. cohort C (HR+/HER2-): CDK4/6 inhibitor + endocrine therapy 4. cohort D (HER2+): chemotherapy + trastuzumab and pertuzumab * Presence of measurable disease according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v.1.1 and/or Positron Emission Tomography Response Criteria in Solid Tumors (PERCIST) criteria * Able to provide full informed consent for the study

Exclusion criteria

* Pre-existing severe psychiatric disorders or other conditions that could impair the ability to provide informed consent * Inability to complete questionnaires * Presence of another malignancy in the previous 3 years * Symptomatic brain metastases * Ongoing treatment with antidepressant and/or anxiolytic drugs

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Progression-free survival (PFS), according to the presence of ED at T0, in cohort A2 yearsTime from T0 (Cycle 1 Day 1) to disease progression or death

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Progression-free survival (PFS), according to the presence of ED at T0, in cohort B, C and D2 yearsTime from T0 (Cycle 1 Day 1) to disease progression or death
Progression-free survival (PFS), according to the presence of ED at T1 (Cycle 3 Day 1)2 yearsTime from T0 (Cycle 1 Day 1) to disease progression or death
Objective response rate (ORR), according to the presence of ED at T0 and T12 yearsNumber of partial response or complete response achieved
Quality of life evaluation3 monthsCompletion of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) EORTC-QLQ-C30 (minimum value: 1, maximum value: 4 - higher scores mean a greater agreement with the statement)
Fear of cancer progression evaluation3 monthsCompletion of Fear of Progression Questionnaire (FoP Q) (minimum value: 1, maximum value: 5 - higher total score reflects a higher level of fear of disease progression)

Countries

Italy

Contacts

CONTACTGabriella Pravettoni, MD, PhD
gabriella.pravettoni@ieo.it+39 0257489731
CONTACTMara Negri
mara.negri@ieo.it+39 0257489536
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORGabriella Pravettoni, MD, PhD

European Istitute of Oncology

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jun 18, 2026