The UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center has been awarded $28 million by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The money will be used to develop a new clinical trial for breast cancer which has spread to other part of the body.

The trial, “Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium Evolutionary Clinical Trial for Novel Biomarker-Driven Therapies,” which researchers have shortened to “EVOLVE,” will adapt treatment plans in near real-time by analyzing changes in a patient’s cancer and matching it to the most promising therapy.

“This has the potential to be practice-changing,” said Bill Schaller, the Lineberger Center’s director of communications. “This trial could pave the way for a new, more dynamic approach to treatment.”

“Despite progress in treating breast cancer during the past 30 years, we still lack curative therapies for metastatic disease,” said Dr. Lisa Carey, the deputy director of clinical sciences at the Lineberger Center and the study’s lead investigator. “EVOLVE takes a different approach to clinical research by using real-time biomarker data to adapt treatment as a tumor changes.”

Up to 700 patients with metastatic breast cancer will be enrolled in the study.

Metastatic breast cancer is currently incurable. Between 15 and 20 percent of early-stage breast cancer cases will become metastatic, and only one in three people with metastatic breast cancer survive beyond five years.

“This trial will let us act earlier, modify treatment when resistance begins – not just when symptoms return,” Carey said, “and ultimately give patients more time, and better quality of life.”

EVOLVE is part of a $142 million ARPA-H program, known as the Advanced Analysis for Precision Cancer Therapy (ADAPT). The Lineberger trial is one of 10 projects which received funding through ADAPT.

 

Featured image via UNC Lineberger Cancer Center

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Top Stories of 2023: Eric Montross' Cancer Fight Galvanizes the Community
To reflect on the year, Chapelboro.com is re-publishing some of the top stories that impacted and defined our community’s experience in 2023. These stories and topics affected Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the rest of our region. UNC men’s basketball alumnus Eric Montross was notable around the Chapel Hill community not just for his stature – […]
UNC Researchers Turn Skin Cells To Cancer-Killing Stem Cells
UNC pharmacy researchers have successfully turned skin cells into cancer-hunting stem cells that destroy brain tumors known as glioblastom. “Patients desperately need a better standard of care,” said Shawn Hingtgen, who led the study. The survival rate beyond two years is 30 percent because even when the brain tumor is removed, it is nearly impossible […]
UNC Football Cancelling Upcoming Home-and-Home Series With South Carolina
The UNC football program has cancelled an upcoming home-and-home series against South Carolina. The Tar Heels were scheduled to visit Columbia in 2028 and host the Gamecocks in Chapel Hill in 2029. In a brief release, UNC said the expanded conference schedules in both the SEC and ACC, which will see schools play nine league […]
UNC Baseball Pulls Away Late to Beat Virginia Tech in ACC Tournament Quarterfinals
The Diamond Heels scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to break open a close game and beat No. 7 seed Virginia Tech 10-4 in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals in Charlotte Friday afternoon. 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 💪#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/dhshA3dqrk — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) May 22, 2026 UNC entered the eighth […]
UNC Baseball in the 2026 ACC Tournament: How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Start Time
The Diamond Heels will compete in the ACC Tournament semifinals Saturday in Charlotte. UNC is the defending tournament champion and the No. 2 overall seed. If you aren’t in Charlotte with the team, here’s how you can follow along at home: Broadcast Schedule Those hoping to listen to the game on the radio with […]
Here's the Complete Bracket for the 2026 ACC Baseball Tournament
The 2026 ACC Baseball Tournament will take place this week at Truist Field in Charlotte. UNC is the defending champion in the tournament and will compete as the No. 2 seed in the field, having earned a double bye into Friday’s quarterfinals. The 2026 season is the second consecutive year the ACC will be using […]
UNC Women's Lacrosse in the 2026 Final Four: How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Start Time
The UNC women’s lacrosse team will play in the NCAA Final Four against No. 3 overall seed Maryland in Chicago Friday afternoon. The Tar Heels are the No. 2 overall seed in the field and are seeking to win consecutive national championships for the first time in program history. If you aren’t traveling with the […]
'My Favorite Game': UNC Women's Lacrosse Looking Forward to Rekindling Maryland Rivalry at Final Four
Friday afternoon's national semifinal game will rekindle the dormant UNC-Maryland women's lacrosse rivalry.
Carolina Performing Arts Unveils Multi-Day Performance Festival for 'Campus and Downtown'
The Carolina Performing Arts festival, called “All. Together. Now.”, is set to debut Feb. 18-21, 2027 and take place every year.
UNC Men's Golf Finishes 4th in NCAA Regional, Qualifies for Championship
UNC finished 19-under par after three rounds of play at the NCAA’s Bryan Regional in Texas this week, earning fourth place and qualifying for the NCAA Championship in California next week. It’s the eighth time in the last nine seasons the Tar Heels have advanced to the NCAA Championship. For the eighth time in the […]
›