Multidisciplinary Team Care for Breast Cancer

(TITAN Trial)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: University of Alberta

Must be taking: Anthracyclines, Trastuzumab

Disqualifiers: Physical disability, Psychiatric disease, Heart failure, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if extra care from a team of health professionals can assist people with breast cancer during and after treatment. The team may include nurses, doctors, dietitians, and counselors, providing more support than usual care. Participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving this multidisciplinary team intervention and the other receiving standard care. The trial seeks individuals diagnosed with breast cancer who are about to start specific chemotherapy treatments. As a Phase 2 trial, the research focuses on measuring the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this multidisciplinary team intervention is safe for breast cancer patients?

Research has shown that a team of diverse health experts can greatly benefit people with breast cancer. These studies primarily highlight how this team approach can extend life expectancy, while also offering some safety insights. A multidisciplinary team, consisting of doctors, nurses, and dietitians, collaborates to improve outcomes. This collaborative method has been associated with better overall results.

Regarding safety, the studies do not report specific negative effects from the team approach itself. Instead, they highlight the overall positive health impact, suggesting that the treatment is generally well-tolerated. As this trial is in an early stage, it indicates that the treatment has been safe enough to continue testing.

In summary, the team approach appears safe and beneficial, with no major safety concerns reported in the research so far. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the multidisciplinary team intervention for breast cancer because it offers a holistic approach that goes beyond traditional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Unlike standard care, which usually focuses on one aspect of treatment, this intervention involves a team of specialists, including cardiologists, nutritionists, pharmacists, exercise physiologists, and physiotherapists, working together to address different facets of a patient's health. This comprehensive method aims to improve overall patient outcomes by tackling not just the cancer itself, but also the patient's physical and nutritional well-being, potentially leading to a more personalized and effective care plan.

What evidence suggests that multidisciplinary team care is effective for breast cancer?

Research has shown that care from a team of diverse healthcare professionals can improve outcomes for people with breast cancer. In this trial, participants in the multidisciplinary team intervention arm will receive regular assessments and treatments from a cardiology team, clinical nutritionist, pharmacist, exercise physiologist, and physiotherapist. Studies have found that areas using this team approach saw an 18% drop in breast cancer deaths compared to areas that did not. This method includes regular check-ups and treatment adjustments based on advice from various experts. Another review found a strong connection between this team care and higher survival rates. Additionally, these team efforts can lead to better treatment plans for many patients. Overall, these findings suggest that team-based care could be a promising way to manage breast cancer. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 with breast cancer or lymphoma, scheduled for specific chemotherapy treatments, and able to attend follow-ups. It's not for those with heart issues, prior thorax radiotherapy, previous similar chemo treatments, physical disability impeding certain tests, psychiatric conditions affecting consent, or involvement in related studies.

Inclusion Criteria

willing to attend follow-up visits.

My cancer (breast or lymphoma) has been confirmed through tissue examination.

I am scheduled for chemotherapy that includes anthracycline or trastuzumab.

Exclusion Criteria

I have had radiation therapy to my chest area before.

I have had treatments with anthracycline or trastuzumab.

I do not have heart failure, cardiomyopathy, or an LVEF below 50%.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Initial Assessment

Initial assessments conducted before randomization to intervention or usual care

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either multidisciplinary team intervention or usual care

12 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Multidisciplinary team intervention

Trial Overview The TITAN Study is testing whether extra care from a team of various health professionals (like nurses and dietitians) can benefit people with cancer during and after treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either this multidisciplinary intervention or the usual care.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: multidisciplinary team intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Intervention arm receives regular assessments and treatments from cardiology team, clinical nutrition, pharmacist, exercise physiologist and physiotherapist

Group II: Observational arm Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants randomized to observational arm will receive usual care.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alberta

Lead Sponsor

Trials

957

Recruited

437,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3929250/

Benefits of multidisciplinary teamwork in the management of ... A systematic review conducted in 2010 found that twelve studies reported a significant relationship between MDT care and survival (including four on breast ...

2. ejbc.kr ejbc.kr/DOIx.php?id=10.4048/jbc.2025.0001

Multidisciplinary Team Intervention: Catalysts for Changing ... Total 707 patients were included, with 72.8% (515/707) underwent MDT intervention. After a median follow-up of 43.73 months (interquartile range ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10289736/

The effect of multidisciplinary team on survival rates of women ... After the introduction of multidisciplinary care in the UK, breast cancer mortality in the intervention region was 18% lower than in the nonintervention area.

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960977624001929

Evaluating the impact of a tertiary multidisciplinary meeting ... Metastatic breast cancer MDMs result in treatment changes in 28.1 % of patients. •. MDM treatment recommendations are implemented in over 90 % of cases. •. MDM ...

5. bmccancer.biomedcentral.com bmccancer.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12885-025-13991-7

Impact of early multidisciplinary team interventions on dietary ... This study aims to assess the impact of early multidisciplinary team interventions on dietary management behavior, self-care self-efficacy, quality of life, ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305737225001197

Management changes and survival outcomes for cancer ... Extensive evidence shows a survival benefit for cancer patients discussed at an MDT meeting but there is considerable variation in the reported magnitude of ...

7. bmj.com bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e2718

Effects of multidisciplinary team working on breast cancer ... Introduction of multidisciplinary care was associated with improved survival and reduced variation in survival among hospitals.

8. facs.org facs.org/for-medical-professionals/news-publications/news-and-articles/bulletin/2024/october-2024-volume-109-issue-9/multidisciplinary-approach-to-treatment-emerging-techniques-optimize-survival-and-quality-of-life-for-breast-cancer-patients/

Multidisciplinary Approach to Treatment, Emerging ... This article examines the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer treatment, developments in axillary management, oncoplastic techniques, ...