Angiomammography for Breast Cancer Response Prediction

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Kidney failure, Hyperthyroidism, others

Stay on Your Current Meds You can continue your current medications while participating

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

Approved in 5 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to improve breast cancer treatment by predicting a tumor's response to chemotherapy. Researchers compare two imaging methods, Angiomammography (also known as Contrast-Enhanced Spectral Mammography or CESM) and MRI, to determine which better detects early treatment success. Women with measurable breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy might qualify for this trial. The goal is to identify patients who would benefit from an alternative treatment plan earlier, allowing them to avoid ineffective treatments. As an unphased trial, this study provides participants the chance to contribute to cutting-edge research that could enhance future breast cancer treatment strategies.

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 might be best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that angiomammography is safe for predicting breast cancer response?

Research shows that neoadjuvant chemotherapy, administered before surgery, is generally well-tolerated by breast cancer patients. It is widely used and provides results similar to chemotherapy given post-surgery. Studies indicate that combining neoadjuvant chemotherapy with drugs like pembrolizumab can significantly increase the chances of a complete response, meaning no cancer cells remain in the breast or lymph nodes after treatment.

In terms of safety, this chemotherapy is commonly used for early-stage breast cancer, suggesting it is generally considered safe. While any chemotherapy can cause side effects, its widespread use and supporting clinical evidence suggest a reliable safety profile. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about angiomammography for breast cancer because it offers a new way to predict how patients will respond to neoadjuvant chemotherapy before starting treatment. Unlike traditional imaging methods, which primarily focus on tumor size, angiomammography provides detailed insights into the blood vessels supplying the tumor. This could help doctors tailor treatments more effectively by identifying which tumors are more likely to respond to chemotherapy. By potentially improving the precision of treatment plans, angiomammography might lead to better outcomes and fewer unnecessary side effects for patients.

What evidence suggests that angiomammography is effective for predicting breast cancer response?

Research has shown that chemotherapy given before surgery, known as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), effectively treats breast cancer. Studies have found that it can significantly reduce the risk of cancer spreading and improve survival rates. Over the past 20 years, advancements in NACT treatments have greatly increased patient survival. While NACT is as effective as chemotherapy given after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy) in preventing cancer recurrence, it offers the added benefit of shrinking tumors before surgery. This can make tumors easier to remove and may increase the chances of achieving a complete response, meaning no cancer cells are found after treatment.

In this trial, participants will receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and researchers will assess the treatment's effectiveness using angiomammography, also known as Contrast-Enhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM). ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for women over 18 with breast cancer that hasn't spread far (no distant metastasis), measurable by examination. They must be undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy, possibly with additional targeted therapy. Exclusions include pregnancy, allergies to contrast dye, MRI contraindications, overt hyperthyroidism, and significant kidney failure.

Inclusion Criteria

I have received chemotherapy before surgery, with or without targeted therapy.

My cancer has not spread to distant parts of my body.

My breast cancer was confirmed with a biopsy.

Exclusion Criteria

I have severe kidney problems.

You have health conditions that make it unsafe for you to have an MRI scan.

Pregnant or possibly pregnant woman

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Participants receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy to evaluate the response of a malignant breast tumor

6 weeks

2 cycles of chemotherapy, each cycle being 21 days

Assessment

Prediction of pathological complete response (pCR) using angiomammography after cycle 2 of neoadjuvant chemotherapy

1 week

1 visit (in-person) for imaging assessment

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Angiomammography
• Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Trial Overview The study compares two imaging techniques—CESM and MRI—to see which better predicts the absence of invasive cancer cells in the breast and lymph nodes after early rounds of chemotherapy. This could help switch treatments sooner for those not responding well.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada, Japan, China for the following indications:

Approved in European Union as Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for:

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Lung cancer
• Esophageal cancer

Approved in United States as Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for:

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Lung cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Stomach cancer

Approved in Canada as Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for:

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Lung cancer
• Esophageal cancer

Approved in Japan as Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for:

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Lung cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Stomach cancer

Approved in China as Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for:

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Lung cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Stomach cancer

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval

Lead Sponsor

Trials

177

Recruited

110,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A pre-treatment 99mTc-sestamibi scintimammography can effectively predict the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in invasive breast cancer, showing a significant correlation with tumor size reduction and pathological response.

The study found that a negative result from the scintimammography test indicated a 100% specificity for chemoresistance, meaning it reliably identified patients who would not respond well to chemotherapy, particularly in relation to the expression of the MDR1 protein.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Single static view 99mTc-sestamibi scintimammography predicts response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and is related to MDR expression. Cayre, A., Cachin, F., Maublant, J., et al.[2018]

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer is increasingly common, and early imaging to assess treatment response could help determine if a switch to a more effective therapy is needed.

The cost-effectiveness analysis suggests that imaging systems are justified if they can demonstrate even a small increase in cure rates (as little as 1%) when switching from ineffective chemotherapy, especially if the initial treatment is less than 90% effective.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prognostic imaging in neoadjuvant chemotherapy of locally-advanced breast cancer should be cost-effective. Schegerin, M., Tosteson, AN., Kaufman, PA., et al.[2021]

In a study of 50 patients with stages II and III breast cancer, traditional methods like physical examination and mammography were found to be more effective than Tc-99m-sestamibi scintigraphy in predicting the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, with sensitivities of 86.5% and 83.3% respectively.

The study concluded that Tc-99m-sestamibi scintigraphy does not provide useful predictive information regarding chemotherapy response, as there were no significant correlations found between isotope uptake, clearance, and markers of chemo-resistance or tumor angiogenesis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Evaluation of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy using breast scintigraphy in breast cancer]. Baena-Cañada, JM., Partida-Palma, F., Palomo-González, MJ., et al.[2019]

In a study of 74 breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), an increase in the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the primary tumor was found to correlate with a higher likelihood of achieving axillary complete response, with 42.8% of patients showing this response when ADC values increased above a specific threshold.

The study identified that axillary complete response was also associated with negative estrogen receptor status and Her2 positivity, suggesting that diffusion-weighted imaging could enhance predictive models for treatment outcomes in breast cancer.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Predicting axillary response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy: the role of diffusion weighted imaging. Graña-López, L., Pérez-Ramos, T., Maciñeira, FA., et al.[2023]

A predictive preoperative nomogram was developed using ultrasound characteristics and biopsy results from 145 breast cancer patients, which can effectively assess the pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

The nomogram demonstrated strong predictive accuracy with an area under the curve of 0.855 for pathologic complete response, indicating its potential to guide personalized treatment strategies for breast cancer patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparative study of pathological response evaluation systems after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: developing predictive models of multimodal ultrasound features including shear wave elastography combined with puncture pathology. Duan, Y., Song, X., Guan, L., et al.[2023]

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is now a standard treatment for locally advanced breast cancer, but traditional imaging methods that focus on tumor size changes have limitations in accurately assessing treatment response.

Functional imaging technologies can provide a more comprehensive evaluation by detecting biological changes in tumors, predicting early responses to chemotherapy, and helping to tailor individualized treatment plans.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multimodality Imaging for Evaluating Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer. Rauch, GM., Adrada, BE., Kuerer, HM., et al.[2021]

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is becoming more common for operable breast cancer, and early prediction of treatment response is crucial for patient care.

Functional MRI shows promise in monitoring therapy response by assessing both tumor size and functional parameters, but more research is needed to fully evaluate its effectiveness compared to standard methods.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Therapy monitoring of neoadjuvant therapy with MRI. RECIST and functional imaging]. Grandl, S., Ingrisch, M., Hellerhoff, K.[2021]

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is now a standard treatment for larger breast tumors, allowing more patients to undergo breast-conserving surgery instead of mastectomy.

Factors such as histological grade, HER-2 status, p53, and hormone receptor status are important predictors of a favorable response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which is associated with better treatment outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Option of the surgical mode for breast cancer based on the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy]. Fukutomi, T.[2011]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5757427/

Long-term outcomes for neoadjuvant versus adjuvant ... NACT is as effective as adjuvant chemotherapy in reducing the risk of distant recurrence and death from breast cancer. However, NACT is associated with higher ...

2. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-20216-1

Impact of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy on ... To evaluate the real-world effectiveness of Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT), we conducted a retrospective study ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11240707/

Breast Cancer Patient's Outcomes after Neoadjuvant ... Improvements in neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens have led to substantial improvements in patient survival outcomes in the last 20 years [30]. ... The 8 years DFS ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960977623005672

Survival outcomes seen with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in ... However, despite these efforts, historical prospective data has estimated that 5- and 10-year overall survival (OS) remains between 40-45 % and 30–35 %, ...

5. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-14012-0

Long-term survival outcomes of neoadjuvant ... - Nature There were 1566 deaths, including 1242 breast cancer-specific deaths (79.31%). The NACT group still showed poorer OS (5-year 83.7% vs. 89.6%; 10 ...

6. ascopubs.org ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/EDBK_432442

Systemic Therapy in Breast Cancer Neoadjuvant systemic therapy is commonly used for early-stage breast cancer. Clinicians must understand the indications and appropriate use of contemporary ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960977625004710

A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis Our systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that the optimal interval following NAC for breast cancer patients might be within four weeks.

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4484769/

Landscape of Neoadjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer - PMC Neoadjuvant chemotherapy provides clinical outcomes equivalent to those achieved when the same regimen is provided in the adjuvant setting.

9. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950247024000689

The neoadjuvant approach to treatment of breast cancer The study found that pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy significantly improved pCR rates and event-free survival (EFS), when ...