APBI vs Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer
(CAMERAN Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial is testing two treatments for elderly women with low-risk breast cancer: targeted radiation and hormone-blocking medication. The goal is to see which treatment better improves quality of life while effectively controlling the cancer. The study will include women aged 65 and older with small, low-risk tumors. Recent trials have shown advantages in using newer hormone-blocking medications over the older standard treatment.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
If you are currently taking anti-hormonal agents or hormone replacement therapy, you will need to stop them at least 30 days before joining the trial. Other medications are not specifically mentioned, so it's best to discuss with the trial team.
Is endocrine therapy for breast cancer safe?
Endocrine therapies like tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, letrozole, exemestane) are generally considered safe for treating breast cancer, though they can have side effects. Aromatase inhibitors may cause more bone fractures and joint pain compared to tamoxifen, which is associated with more endometrial cancers and blood clots.12345
How does the treatment APBI differ from other breast cancer treatments?
APBI (Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation) is unique because it targets only the part of the breast where the cancer was removed, rather than the whole breast, and is delivered over a shorter period of time. This is different from traditional radiation therapy, which typically involves treating the entire breast over several weeks.13567
What data supports the effectiveness of the drugs used in the APBI vs Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer trial?
Research shows that aromatase inhibitors (AIs) like anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane are more effective than tamoxifen in preventing breast cancer from coming back in postmenopausal women. These drugs have been shown to improve disease-free survival, meaning patients live longer without the cancer returning.34578
Who Is on the Research Team?
Dana Casey, MD
Principal Investigator
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for women over 65 with early-stage, low-risk breast cancer (small tumors under 2cm, not aggressive, and no spread to lymph nodes). Participants should be healthy enough for hormone therapy or radiation and have a positive hormone receptor status. They must not have other cancers that could affect the study or serious uncontrolled medical conditions.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive either accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) consisting of 5 fractions of radiation therapy delivered every other day or endocrine therapy chosen by the treating medical oncologist with an aim of 5 years duration.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for quality of life and oncologic outcomes, with primary assessments at 1 year and additional monitoring for overall survival and disease-free survival up to 5 years.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI)
- Tamoxifen, Anastrozole, Exemestane, Letrozole, Fulvestrant, Toremifene
Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:
- Early-stage breast cancer
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
- Stage I or II breast cancer
- Early-stage breast cancer
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
- Stage I or II breast cancer
- Early-stage breast cancer
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
- Stage I or II breast cancer
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Lead Sponsor