Minimally invasive detection of residual breast cancer after chemotherapy

Prospective Clinical Trial to Assess a Mini-invasive Pre-surgical Procedure to Detect Residual Breast or Axillary Disease in Patients With cT1-T2-T3 cN0/N1 Breast Cancer in Complete Clinical/Radiological Remission After Primary Chemotherapy

Observational Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano · NCT05951699

This study is testing a new way to use a special biopsy technique to see if it can accurately find leftover breast cancer in patients who have already had chemotherapy, helping to avoid unnecessary surgeries.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment105 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexFemale
SponsorFondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Milan)
Trial IDNCT05951699 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of minimally invasive preoperative image-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) in identifying residual breast and axillary disease in breast cancer patients who have undergone systemic neoadjuvant treatment. It focuses on patients with a complete clinical or radiological response or those with residual disease less than 1 cm. The study aims to improve the accuracy of detecting residual disease compared to traditional imaging techniques, which have shown variable reliability. By assessing the reliability of VAB, the study seeks to reduce unnecessary surgeries for patients who may not have residual disease.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include breast cancer patients with cT1-cT2-cT3, cN0-cN1 disease who have achieved a complete clinical or radiological response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Not a fit: Patients with multifocal disease, surgically inoperable conditions, or those who have not undergone surgery may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more accurate detection of residual breast cancer, potentially reducing overtreatment and improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar minimally invasive techniques, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Radiologically confirmed unifocal cT1-cT2-cT3 cN0-cN1 breast cancer patients indicated for primary chemotherapy
* Histologically confirmed HER2-positive, triple negative or luminal B HER2-positive invasive breast cancer
* Clinical/radiological complete response or residual breast disease \<1 cm after primary chemotherapy
* Absence of locoregional relapse or distant metastasis
* Signed informed consent to participate.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Disease surgically inoperable or surgery not performed
* Multifocal disease or presence of microcalcifications at imaging.

Where this trial is running

Milan

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 Breast CancerBreast cancerNeoadjuvant chemotherapyvacuum-assisted biopsy
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.