Organisational update
After more than 25 years dedicated to advancing international academic breast cancer research, the Breast International Group (BIG) is entering a wind-down phase.
Despite extensive efforts to secure long-term sustainability, BIG is facing financial and economic pressures that can no longer be overcome. These include reduced study-related income, declining grants and subsidies, lower fundraising revenues, and a challenging global economic and geopolitical context.
Following a thorough review, BIG’s Executive Board decided on 2 December 2025 to proceed with the closure of the organisation by the end of 2026.
Continuity of ongoing studies
BIG remains fully committed to ensuring continuity for patients, investigators, and partners.
All studies under the BIG umbrella with ongoing research activity will continue without interruption. The scientific and operational responsibilities currently held by BIG Headquarters are being transferred to partner organisations to ensure seamless continuation.
Safeguarding the integrity of our studies and the well-being of participating patients remains a priority throughout this transition.
Ongoing research
Information on active studies coordinated or previously supported by BIG will remain available during this transition period. Detailed study follow-up is being ensured in close collaboration with partner organisations.
APHINITY
Tested whether adding pertuzumab to the standard adjuvant treatment (trastuzumab and chemotherapy) in patients with operable HER2-positive (HER+) primary breast cancer improves the outcome of patients with the disease.
Study BIG 4-11, NCT01358877, sponsored by Roche.
aphinity@bigagainstbc.orgAURORA
Is an international, academic research programme. It uses molecular screening technology to identify the genetic changes (i.e., molecular aberrations) in breast cancer tumours that drive disease evolution over time, in patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
Study BIG 14.01, NCT02102165, sponsored by BIG and BCRF.
aurora.hq@bigagainstbc.orgBRAVO
Was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of niraparib vs standard of care in patients with HER2-negative previously treated advanced/metastatic breast cancer with a germline BRCA mutation.
Study BIG 5-13, NCT01905592, sponsored by Tesaro, Inc.
bravo@bigagainstbc.orgEXPERT
Aims to better analyse the risk profile of breast cancer tumours to identify which women could be spared the treatment by radiation therapy.
Study BIG 16-02, NCT02889874, sponsored by BCT-ANZ.
expert@bctrials.org.auMINDACT
Was a prospective, randomised study comparing the 70-gene signature with the common clinical-pathological criteria in selecting patients for adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer with 0 to 3 positive nodes.
Study BIG 04-03, NCT00433589, sponsored by EORTC.
mindact@bigagainstbc.orgALTTO
Investigated whether combining trastuzumab with lapatinib given either alone, together or one after the other benefits patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer. It also assessed the safety of lapatinib and aims to identify specific molecular markers to predict which patients will benefit most from lapatinib or trastuzumab.
NeoALTTO
Investigated whether combining trastuzumab with lapatinib given either alone, together or one after the other could benefit patients with HER2-positive, ErbB2-positive primary breast cancer in the neoadjuvant setting. It also assessed the safety of lapatinib and aimed to identify specific molecular markers to predict which patients would benefit most from lapatinib or trastuzumab.
Study ALTTO: BIG 2-06, NCT00490139 / NeoALTTO: BIG 1-06, NCT00553358, sponsored by Novartis.
Contact: altto@bigagainstbc.org
OLYMPIA
Has been evaluating the safety, tolerability, and effect of post-surgery treatment with olaparib in patients with germline mutated high-risk HER2 negative primary breast cancer. .
Study BIG 6-13, NCT02032823, sponsored by AstraZeneca.
olympia@bigagainstbc.orgPALLAS
Evaluated the treatment outcome and safety of the addition of 2 years of palbociclib to standard adjuvant endocrine therapy for patients with HR+ / HER2- early breast cancer.
Study BIG 14-03, NCT02513394, sponsored by ABCSG / Pfizer.
pallas@bigagainstbc.orgALEXANDRA / IMpassion030
Aimed to assess whether adding the anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody atezolizumab to chemotherapy after surgery is better at preventing cancer recurrence than chemotherapy alone in patients with triple-negative breast cancer.
Study BIG 16-05, NCT03498716, sponsored by Roche.
atezo@bigagainstbc.orgPath-for-Young / Optima-young
Aims to demonstrate whether a genomic test-driven decision to administer adjuvant chemotherapy or not is as good as the standard of care in premenopausal women with hormone-sensitive primary breast cancer.
Study BIG 24-02, NCT07106632 / UC-BCG-2409, sponsored by Unicancer.
a-vanhecke@unicancer.frPOSITIVE
Aims to evaluate the safety and feasibility of temporarily stopping adjuvant endocrine therapy, to allow young women with early-stage breast cancer to get pregnant.
Study BIG 08-13, NCT02308085, sponsored by ETOP / IBCSG Partners Foundation.
Contact: email to be confirmed
A lasting legacy
For over two decades, BIG has played a leading role in academic breast cancer research, contributing to landmark clinical trials that have reshaped treatment standards and improved outcomes for patients worldwide.
While BIG will cease to exist as a legal entity after 2026, its impact will endure through the knowledge generated, the collaborations built, and the advances achieved across the global breast cancer research community.
Contact
For information, please contact:
info@bigagainstbc.org