Safety and feasibility of irreversible electroporation (IRE) for early-stage breast cancer
Official title: Safety and Feasibility of Irreversible Electroporation for Early-stage Breast Cancer: a Prospective, Open-Label, Single-Arm, Exploratory Study
Run by First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University · NCT07263451 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether irreversible electroporation (IRE) can be safely used before surgery to treat women with small (≤2.0 cm), treatment-naïve invasive ductal breast cancer visible on ultrasound and MRI.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 24 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Hangzhou, Zhejiang and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 11, 2025 |
| Main results expected | March 15, 2026 |
| Study ends | May 15, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | December 22, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07263451 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Women aged 18 or older with treatment-naïve, unifocal invasive ductal carcinoma ≤2.0 cm that is clearly seen on both ultrasound and MRI and who are medically fit for surgery and general anesthesia (ECOG 0-1).
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with implanted cardiac electronic devices, significant coagulopathy, multifocal or larger tumors (>2.0 cm), prior local breast cancer treatment, or tumors not well visualized on ultrasound/MRI are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a prospective, open-label, single-arm exploratory trial in which eligible patients receive image-guided IRE ablation followed by standard surgical resection. The trial enrolls adult women with unifocal invasive ductal carcinoma ≤2.0 cm that is well visualized on breast ultrasound and DCE-MRI and who are fit for general anesthesia (ECOG 0-1). Outcomes related to safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy will be recorded and analyzed according to predefined primary and secondary endpoints. Patients with significant coagulopathy or implanted active cardiac electronic devices are excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, IRE could offer a less destructive, image-guided local treatment that preserves surrounding tissue and may reduce surgical morbidity for small breast tumors.
How similar studies have gone: IRE has produced promising results in small series for other solid organs and there are limited pilot reports in breast tissue, but broad clinical evidence for IRE in breast cancer remains limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Female, aged 18 years or older. 2. Medically fit for both surgery and general anesthesia, with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-1. 3. Treatment-naïve, primary, unifocal breast cancer with a maximum diameter of ≤ 2.0 cm as assessed by MRI. 4. Pathologically confirmed diagnosis of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) within 3 months prior to enrollment. 5. Tumor that presents as a well-defined, localized mass and is clearly visualized on both breast ultrasound (for intraoperative guidance) and breast DCE-MRI (for baseline measurement and treatment planning). 6. The subject must be able to understand the purpose of the trial, voluntarily participate, and provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Known coagulopathy or bleeding diathesis (defined as a platelet count \< 50×10⁹/L or an International Normalized Ratio (INR) \> 1.5). 2. Presence of an implanted cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, or any other active electronic medical device. 3. History of significant cardiac disease, including but not limited to: uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias or congestive heart failure classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV. 4. Patients who are pregnant, lactating, or planning a pregnancy during the study period. 5. Known severe allergy or anaphylactic reaction to MRI contrast agents. 6. Known high-risk genetic susceptibility to breast cancer (e.g., BRCA1/2 mutation carrier) associated with an increased risk of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence following ablation. 7. Presence of distant metastases. 8. Any other medical or psychiatric condition that, in the investigator's judgment, would compromise the patient's safety or compliance with the study protocol.
Where it's running
-
The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China Recruiting -
The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Tian'an Jiang, PhD
- Email: tiananjiang@zju.edu.cn
- Phone: 0571-87236516
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Gyrotonic exercise for elders with breast cancer and Behcet disease
We’re testing whether a gyrotonic exercise program helps older people who have both Behcet disease and breast cancer.
-
PECS II vs SPSIP nerve blocks for pain after mastectomy
This study tests whether two ultrasound-guided nerve blocks (PECS II and SPSIP) differ in how much opioid patients need after mastectomy.
-
CG-7321: a first-in-human test in advanced solid tumors
We’re testing CG-7321 alone and with fulvestrant to see if it’s safe and tolerable in adults with advanced solid tumors.
-
Compare a new endoscopy-assisted breast-conserving surgery with the usual approach
This study tests whether a new endoscopy-assisted breast-conserving technique can provide similar or better cosmetic outcomes and safety compared with conventional breast-conserving surgery in women with early breast cancer who want to preserve their breast.
-
Different skin care approaches to prevent skin reactions after mastectomy radiation
This study tests three standard skin care methods to see which best prevents radiation dermatitis in people who had a mastectomy and are receiving post-mastectomy radiation therapy.
-
3D Heart Strain to Detect Early Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Therapy
This study tests whether 3D echocardiography can detect early heart damage from cancer treatments like anthracyclines or HER2-targeted therapy better than standard 2D methods.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.