Image-guided ethanol injection into breast ducts to prevent breast cancer
Image-Guided Intraductal Ablative Procedure for Primary Prevention of Breast Cancer
This project tries a CT-guided ethanol injection into the milk ducts to kill cells and lower breast cancer risk for women with higher-than-average risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247040 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be hearing about a minimally invasive approach where doctors use imaging to guide a tiny injection directly into the breast’s milk ducts. The solution contains ethanol to kill the duct-lining cells and tiny contrast particles so doctors can watch duct filling on CT or X‑ray. The team’s animal studies showed this approach can destroy mammary epithelial cells and prevent tumors in mice, and now they are refining the formula and delivery methods for safe use in people. The work focuses on demonstrating safe, targeted delivery and limiting side effects while confirming the ducts are fully treated.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women with an increased lifetime risk of breast cancer, including BRCA1/2 mutation carriers or others seeking non‑surgical risk reduction, would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who already have active invasive breast cancer, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those seeking treatment for an existing tumor would not be expected to benefit from this primary-prevention approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could become a less-invasive option than prophylactic mastectomy to lower breast cancer risk with fewer physical and emotional consequences.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical animal studies have shown success at destroying ductal cells and preventing tumors, and intraductal procedures are used clinically, but ethanol-based intraductal prevention in humans is a novel application.
Where this research is happening
East Lansing, United States
- Michigan State University — East Lansing, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sempere, Lorenzo — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Sempere, Lorenzo
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.