400 Participants Needed

Radiation Therapy Duration for Breast Cancer

Recruiting at 14 trial locations
RP
Overseen ByRinaa Punglia, MD MPH
Age: 18+
Sex: Female
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Approved in 6 JurisdictionsThis treatment is already approved in other countries

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study is a randomized trial of hypofractionation (short-course) radiation therapy versus conventional radiation therapy in women who have undergone mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. The investigators will assess cosmetic and reconstruction outcomes, lymphedema, cancer status, side effects, and oncologic outcomes.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

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.

Is radiation therapy generally safe for humans?

Radiation therapy, including advanced techniques like intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), has been shown to reduce side effects by better protecting normal tissues. Studies have reported low rates of serious side effects, although some risks remain, such as gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities.12345

How is radiation therapy for breast cancer different from other treatments?

Radiation therapy for breast cancer, particularly intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), is unique because it delivers a single dose of radiation directly to the surgical area immediately after tumor removal, potentially reducing the need for prolonged radiation sessions. This approach is especially considered for patients with early-stage breast cancer and favorable tumor characteristics, offering a more targeted treatment with fewer sessions compared to traditional whole-breast irradiation.678910

What data supports the effectiveness of this treatment for breast cancer?

Research shows that intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) can effectively deliver radiation directly to the tumor area, potentially reducing recurrence and improving survival rates for early-stage breast cancer. Additionally, modern radiation techniques, including IORT, have advanced significantly, reducing complications and improving outcomes.811121314

Who Is on the Research Team?

JW

Julia Wong, MD

Principal Investigator

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

RP

Rinaa Punglia, MD MPH

Principal Investigator

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for women aged 18 or older who have stage I-III invasive breast cancer, have had a mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with an expander or implant. They should be candidates for unilateral post-mastectomy radiation therapy according to NCCN guidelines. Women with T4 tumors, recurrent breast cancer, prior breast radiation, pregnancy/nursing, uncontrolled illnesses, or certain other cancers are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

I am eligible for radiation therapy after breast removal surgery according to NCCN guidelines.
My breast cancer is in an early to mid-stage (I-III) and has not spread beyond nearby tissues.
I had reconstructive surgery with an implant or expander right after mastectomy.
See 2 more

Exclusion Criteria

My cancer is at stage T4.
I do not have any severe illnesses that would stop me from joining the study.
Pregnant or nursing
See 2 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either hypofractionation or conventional radiation therapy post-mastectomy

3-5 weeks
Daily visits, Monday through Friday

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety, effectiveness, and quality of life outcomes after treatment

18 months

Long-term follow-up

Oncologic and clinical outcomes are assessed annually for rare radiation side effects, recurrence, and other clinical outcomes

10 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Radiation Therapy
Trial Overview The study compares short-course (hypofractionated) radiation therapy versus conventional radiation in terms of cosmetic results after reconstructive surgery following mastectomy, lymphedema incidence, cancer control and side effects. It's randomized so patients don't choose which treatment they get.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Arm 1: HypofractionationExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
16 fractions of radiation therapy (daily, Monday through Friday) to the chest wall with or without internal mammary nodes, and 15 fractions to the supraclavicular (with or without axillary) lymph nodes.
Group II: Arm 2: Conventional Radiation TherapyActive Control1 Intervention
25 fractions of radiation therapy (daily, Monday through Friday) to the chest wall with or without internal mammary nodes, and 23-25 fractions to the supraclavicular (with or without axillary) lymph nodes.

Radiation Therapy is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada, Japan, China, Switzerland for the following indications:

🇪🇺
Approved in European Union as Radiation Therapy for:
  • Cancer treatment
  • Palliative care
  • Oropharyngeal cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Brain tumors
🇺🇸
Approved in United States as Radiation Therapy for:
  • Cancer treatment
  • Palliative care
  • Oropharyngeal cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Brain tumors
🇨🇦
Approved in Canada as Radiation Therapy for:
  • Cancer treatment
  • Palliative care
  • Oropharyngeal cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Brain tumors
🇯🇵
Approved in Japan as Radiation Therapy for:
  • Cancer treatment
  • Palliative care
  • Oropharyngeal cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Brain tumors
🇨🇳
Approved in China as Radiation Therapy for:
  • Cancer treatment
  • Palliative care
  • Oropharyngeal cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Brain tumors
🇨🇭
Approved in Switzerland as Radiation Therapy for:
  • Cancer treatment
  • Palliative care
  • Oropharyngeal cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Brain tumors

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,128
Recruited
382,000+

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Collaborator

Trials
592
Recruited
27,110,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) for early-stage breast cancer significantly improves radiation-related quality of life (QoL) parameters, with patients reporting less pain and better functioning compared to those receiving external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).
In a study of 230 women, those treated with IORT alone experienced fewer breast and arm symptoms and better overall role functioning, indicating that IORT may be a more patient-friendly option than traditional EBRT.
Radiation-related quality of life parameters after targeted intraoperative radiotherapy versus whole breast radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer: results from the randomized phase III trial TARGIT-A.Welzel, G., Boch, A., Sperk, E., et al.[2021]
Radiation therapy is crucial in breast cancer treatment, significantly reducing local recurrence and improving survival rates, especially with advancements in techniques since the late 1980s.
Shorter courses of radiation therapy (3-4 weeks) are generally as effective as longer ones, and modern techniques like volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) help minimize complications while enhancing treatment outcomes.
Evolution of radiotherapy techniques in breast conservation treatment.Boyages, J., Baker, L.[2020]
Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) was used in a study involving 1367 patients with 1400 tumors, showing a 5-year local recurrence rate of 5.98% for those receiving IORT only, which is comparable to other IORT studies but higher than standard whole breast radiation therapy (WBRT).
IORT offers benefits such as convenience and low complication rates, making it a viable option for patients meeting specific criteria, although the addition of WBRT was found to significantly reduce the risk of local recurrence.
Recurrence and Survival Rates for 1400 Early Breast Tumors Treated with Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT).Silverstein, MJ., Epstein, MS., Chen, P., et al.[2022]

Citations

Radiation-related quality of life parameters after targeted intraoperative radiotherapy versus whole breast radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer: results from the randomized phase III trial TARGIT-A. [2021]
2.China (Republic : 1949- )pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Evolution of radiotherapy techniques in breast conservation treatment. [2020]
Recurrence and Survival Rates for 1400 Early Breast Tumors Treated with Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT). [2022]
4.China (Republic : 1949- )pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
21-gene recurrence assay in patients receiving intraoperative radiotherapy: are "favorable" characteristics a surrogate for low recurrence? [2022]
Patient preferences regarding intraoperative versus external beam radiotherapy for early breast cancer and the impact of socio-demographic factors. [2020]
Radiation Therapy Techniques and Treatment-Related Toxicity in the PORTEC-3 Trial: Comparison of 3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy Versus Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy. [2022]
Impact of advanced radiotherapy techniques and dose intensification on toxicity of salvage radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy. [2021]
Phase I trials involving radiation therapy, quantifying the risks. [2013]
Quality and Safety Considerations in Image Guided Radiation Therapy: An ASTRO Safety White Paper Update. [2023]
Safety of image-guided radiotherapy in definitive radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer: a population-based analysis. [2022]
[Intraoperative radiation therapy in conservative treatment of breast cancer: Quo Vadis?]. [2019]
12.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Single institute experience of intraoperative radiation therapy in early-stage breast cancer. [2023]
13.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Intraoperative radiation therapy for breast cancer: technical notes. [2022]
A dosimetric comparison of IORT techniques in limited-stage breast cancer. [2019]
Unbiased ResultsWe believe in providing patients with all the options.
Your Data Stays Your DataWe only share your information with the clinical trials you're trying to access.
Verified Trials OnlyAll of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.
Back to top
Terms of Service·Privacy Policy·Cookies·Security