Making organoids from breast tumors before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Prospective Multicenter Study on the Collection of Tumor Biopsies and the Generation of Organoids Derived From Breast Cancer Patients Scheduled for Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Observational Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpA · NCT07260188

This project will test whether lab-grown mini-tumors (patient-derived organoids) and blood biomarkers can help predict who will have a complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for invasive breast cancer.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment240 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorIstituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpA Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Pavia, PV)
Trial IDNCT07260188 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study enrolls people with invasive breast cancer who are scheduled for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery. Tumor tissue will be collected before and after treatment to create patient-derived organoid (PDO) cultures that model each patient's tumor. Researchers will analyze biomarkers released by the organoids, especially those carried in extracellular vesicles, and compare them with tumor tissue and blood samples collected before, during, and after therapy. Biomarker patterns will be correlated with pathological complete response versus residual disease to identify potential predictors of treatment outcome.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Female patients with confirmed invasive breast cancer who are planned to receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy and are willing to provide tumor biopsies and blood samples for research.

Not a fit: Patients who have already received prior chemotherapy, those without a confirmed cyto-histological diagnosis of breast carcinoma, or those with other active solid tumors are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help predict which patients will achieve a complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and guide more personalized treatment decisions.

How similar studies have performed: Related work using patient-derived organoids and liquid biopsy markers in cancer has produced promising early results but remains experimental and not yet standard clinical practice.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Female subjects;
* Confirmed diagnosis of breast heteroplasia
* Age 1\>= 8 years;
* Indication for neoadjuvant chemotherapy;
* Patients willing to follow the usual oncological follow-up;
* Patients with de novo metastatic disease (M+), receiving primary chemotherapy, if candidates for primary tumor biopsy;
* Subjects who agree to participate in the study by signing and dating the Informed Consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who have already undergone prior chemotherapy treatments;
* Patients without a proven cyto-histological diagnosis of breast carcinoma;
* Subjects affected by other solid tumors besides the breast lesion.

Where this trial is running

Pavia, PV

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.
Conditions Invasive Breast CancerTriple Negative Breast CancerNeadjuvant ChemotherapyPatient-Derived OrganoidsLiquid Biopsy
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.