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Less invasive axillary treatment for breast cancer after chemotherapy

Minimal Invasive Axillary Staging and Treatment After Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy in Node Positive Breast Cancer (MINIMAX): a Dutch Multicenter Observational Study to Gain Insight in Less and More Invasive Axillary Staging and Treatment in Relation to Oncologic Safety and Quality of Life to Develop Evidence-based Guidelines.

Observational Maastricht University Medical Center · NCT04486495

This study tests if a less invasive way to treat breast cancer after chemotherapy can keep women safe and improve their quality of life compared to more invasive methods.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment549 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorMaastricht University Medical Center Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy
Locations35 sites ('s-Hertogenbosch and 34 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04486495 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study focuses on women with node positive breast cancer who are receiving neoadjuvant systemic therapy. It aims to evaluate the oncologic safety and quality of life impacts of less invasive axillary staging and treatment compared to more invasive methods. Patients will complete surveys to assess their quality of life at diagnosis, and again at one and five years post-diagnosis. Data will be collected from patient records and analyzed to inform national guidelines and support shared decision-making in treatment options.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are female patients with unilateral invasive breast cancer and clinically node positive axillary lymph nodes who are scheduled for neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Not a fit: Patients with clinically node negative breast cancer or those who have had prior axillary surgery or radiotherapy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to less invasive treatment options for breast cancer patients, improving their quality of life without compromising oncologic safety.

How similar studies have performed: While there is ongoing debate regarding axillary treatment strategies, this study aims to provide new insights, suggesting it may be a novel approach in this area.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Female patient with unilateral invasive breast cancer and cN1-3
* Pathologically proven positive axillary lymph node
* Planned to undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy (± immunotherapy), followed by staging and treatment of the breast and axilla

Exclusion Criteria:

* Clinically node negative breast cancer before NST
* Bilateral invasive breast cancer
* Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy
* Distant metastases (including oligometastatic disease)
* History of invasive breast cancer
* Other malignancies, except for basal/squamous cell skin cancer, and in situ carcinoma of the cervix or breast
* Axillary surgery or radiotherapy before NST (this includes SLNB prior to NST)

Where this trial is running

's-Hertogenbosch and 34 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
View on ClinicalTrials.gov → Find more trials like this →
Conditions Breast CancerNeoadjuvant TherapyLymph Node Metastases
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.