It is estimated that over 190,000 new cases of breast cancer will be reported in 2009 alone.  It is the leading cause of death among women in this country (next to skin cancer).(1)

Novartis understands how important finding new treatments are in the fight against breast cancer.

Developing new breast cancer treatments is a long and complex process, but an essential one in finding new and innovative treatments.  Without new clinical research studies, no new medicines would be made available to patients. (2)

In our quest to find new breast cancer treatments, Novartis will be conducting several clinical trials for patients diagnosed with HER2+ or ER+ breast cancer.  Find out more about the Novartis BOLERO breast cancer clinical trials below:

BOLERO-1 HER2+ Breast Cancer Clinical Trial (Currently Enrolling) The purpose of this study is to determine if the combination of a Novartis investigational drug with standard chemotherapy medicines as a first-line treatment is safe and effective in treating women with HER2+, unresectable locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Participants enrolling in the BOLERO-1 breast cancer  research study will be asked to visit a study center 4 times a month for a period of 6 months or until  the disease progresses. Patients may be eligible to enroll in the BOLERO-1 clinical trial if:      - They have a confirmed diagnosis of HER2+         breast cancer      - They are female and at least 18 years of age      - Their disease has returned or spread and cannot be         surgically removed      - They have never received chemotherapy for the         recurrence or metastatic disease

BOLERO-2  ER+ Breast Cancer Clinical Trial (Currently Enrolling) The purpose of this study is to determine if the combination of a Novartis investigational drug along with an additional therapy are effective in treating postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer, where the disease has progressed despite treatment with Nonsteroidal Aromatase Inhibitors (NSAI).   Participants enrolling in the BOLERO-2 breast cancer research study will be asked to visit a study center every 2 weeks for the first 6 weeks, then every 6 weeks until the study is completed or the disease progresses. Patients may be eligible to enroll in the BOLERO-2 clinical trial if:     - They have a confirmed diagnosis of ER+ breast cancer     - They are female and at least 18 years of age     - Their disease has advanced and cannot be surgically        removed

BOLERO-3  HER2 Breast Cancer Clinical Trial (Currently Enrolling) The purpose of this study is to determine if adding a Novartis investigational drug to an existing combination therapy offers a more positive "progression-free" result than the combination therapy alone in treating women with HER2 advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Participants enrolling in the BOLERO-3 breast cancer research study will be asked to visit a study center once a week for a period of 6 to 9 months, or until the disease progresses.   Patients may be eligible to enroll in the BOLERO-3 clinical trial if:      - They have a confirmed diagnosis of HER2 advanced or         metastatic breast cancer      - They are female and at least 18 years of age      - They have developed a resistance to certain         other therapies