Adding the Antibiotic Clofazimine to Chemotherapy for Triple Negative Breast Cancer in Nigeria

Principal Investigator: Dr. Atara Ntekim

Disease: Breast cancer

Research Description: Breast cancer causes high cancer related death globally. A type called triple negative breast cancer is particularly deadly because it spreads very fast and can recur quickly after chemotherapy. It affects mostly younger women, especially among Black Africans. There is no specific treatment targeted against triple negative breast cancer except chemotherapy. Recently, scientists have discovered that clofazimine, an antibiotic which is being used to treat leprosy, can also destroy triple negative breast cancer cells in the lab. Clofazimine is well tolerated, very affordable and is already available in many countries including Nigeria. Based on the reported effect of clofazimine against triple negative breast cancer cells, the research team will conduct a phase I clinical trial to determine the dose of clofazimine that can be used safely with combination chemotherapy to improve patient outcomes in triple negative breast cancer. Results from this trial can be used in planning larger, follow-on studies that can establish the effectiveness of this repurposed drug in triple negative breast cancer. In addition, this research also seeks to establish a biomarker to help predict a patient’s disease response to therapy, which is currently lacking.

Funding Partners: Cures Within Reach and ReGRoW Funders

CWR funding role: Primary funder