Study Comparing Shorter vs. Longer Radiation Therapy for Patients with Invasive Breast Cancer

Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Sponsor score: 0
Inactive

ClinicalTrials ID:NCT02912312

This clinical trial is comparing two different schedules of radiation therapy to see which is more effective in preventing breast cancer from returning and to study the side effects, including arm swelling, in patients receiving radiation to the lymph nodes near the breast.

Patient Parameters

Program Overview

The study aims to find out if a shorter, 3-week course of radiation therapy is as effective as the standard 5-week course in preventing breast cancer from coming back. It will also look at side effects, such as arm swelling, that can occur during or after radiation treatment.

Description

The main goal of this study is to compare the risk of cancer returning in the breast, chest wall, or nearby lymph nodes between two different radiation schedules.

Secondary goals include:

  • Comparing arm swelling between the two treatment groups within 24 months after radiation.
  • Evaluating skin and tissue side effects shortly after and long after treatment.
  • Assessing arm and shoulder function and quality of life through patient surveys.
  • Analyzing blood samples to study immune responses and their effects on side effects like lymphedema (arm swelling).
  • Monitoring the time it takes for cancer to spread, patient survival without disease, and overall survival.
  • Investigating if certain blood markers before treatment affect side effects and cancer recurrence.
  • Studying heart function changes before and after radiation in some patients.
  • Collecting data on lymphedema and quality of life in patients receiving radiation before surgery.
  • Evaluating financial burdens related to cancer treatment.
  • Exploring genetic changes in blood cells due to radiation therapy.

Patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:

  • Group 1: Receives a shorter, 3-week course of radiation therapy.
  • Group 2: Receives the standard, 5-week course of radiation therapy.

Both groups will receive an additional boost of radiation after the main treatment.

Patient Evaluation:

  • Arm measurements will be taken before, during, and after radiation to check for swelling.
  • Patients will complete surveys about their health and quality of life before and after treatment.
  • Follow-up visits will occur 3 and 6 months after radiation, then every 6 months for two and a half years, and annually up to ten and a half years after treatment. During some visits, arm volume will be measured and surveys will be completed.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria, if receiving postoperative radiation therapy

  • Radiation oncologist recommends radiation treatment to the supraclavicular and infraclavicular fossa (i.e. RNI).
  • Pathologically-confirmed invasive breast cancer. If patients undergo upfront surgery, the pathologic stage must be T0-T3, N0-N2a or N3a. If patients receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to surgery, the clinical stage must be T0-T3, N0-N2a or N3a. T4b disease is permitted if the patient undergoes breast conserving surgery.
  • Treatment with mastectomy or segmental mastectomy and axillary evaluation (sentinel node evaluation, axillary sampling, or axillary lymph node dissection). If the patient has T0 disease, breast surgery is not required.
  • Age 18 years or older.
  • If enrolling on in the arm lymphedema assessment cohort, documentation of arm volume measurement by perometer prior to axillary surgery.
  • If the patient has a history of a prior non-breast cancer, all treatment for this cancer must have been completed prior to study registration, and the patient must have no evidence of disease for this prior non-breast cancer.
  • Patients must be enrolled on the trial within 24 weeks of the later of two dates: the final breast cancer surgical procedure or administration of the last cycle of cytotoxic chemotherapy. If after trial enrollment it is determined the patient requires additional cytotoxic chemotherapy or additional breast cancer surgery prior to radiation therapy the patient may stay on trial but the patient must start radiation therapy within 24 weeks of the final breast cancer surgical procedure or administration of the last cycle of cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Inclusion Criteria, if receiving preoperative radiation therapy

  • Surgeon and radiation oncologist recommend preoperative radiation therapy
  • Radiation oncologist recommends radiation treatment to the supraclavicular and infraclavicular fossa (i.e. RNI).
  • Pathologically-confirmed invasive breast cancer. The clinical stage must be T0-T3, N0-N3b
  • Planned treatment with mastectomy and axillary evaluation (sentinel node evaluation, axillary sampling, or axillary lymph node dissection).
  • Planned breast reconstruction with autologous reconstruction.
  • Age 18 years or older.
  • If the patient has a history of a prior non-breast cancer, all treatment for this cancer must have been completed prior to study registration, and the patient must have no evidence of disease for this prior non-breast cancer.

Exclusion Criteria, if receiving postoperative radiation therapy

  • Pathologic or clinical evidence for a stage T4 breast cancer. However, T4b disease is permitted if the patient undergoes breast conserving surgery.
  • Pathologic or clinical evidence for a stage N2b, N3b, or N3c breast cancer (supraclavicular, or internal mammary lymph node involvement).
  • Clinical or pathologic evidence for distant metastases.
  • Current diagnosis of invasive breast cancer in the contralateral breast (ductal carcinoma in situ is permitted).
  • Prior diagnosis of invasive breast cancer in the contralateral breast.
  • If enrolling on in the arm lymphedema assessment cohort, current diagnosis of bilateral breast cancer.
  • History of therapeutic irradiation to the breast, lower neck, mediastinum or other area in which there could potentially be overlap with the affected breast. Except those patients enrolled and treated on the PRECISE trial (MD Anderson 2017-0362).
  • Patient is pregnant.
  • Patients who are cognitively impaired. Subjects will undergo a brief physical exam including a brief exam to determine cognitive review.

Exclusion Criteria, if receiving preoperative radiation therapy

  • Pathologic or clinical evidence for a stage T4 breast cancer.
  • Pathologic or clinical evidence for a stage N3c breast cancer (supraclavicular lymph node involvement).
  • Clinical or pathologic evidence for distant metastases.
  • Current diagnosis of invasive breast cancer in the contralateral breast (ductal carcinoma in situ is permitted).
  • Prior diagnosis of invasive breast cancer in the contralateral breast.
  • History of therapeutic irradiation to the breast, lower neck, mediastinum or other area in which there could potentially be overlap with the affected breast. Except those patients enrolled and treated on the PRECISE trial (MD Anderson 2017-0362).
  • Patient is pregnant.
  • Patients who are cognitively impaired. Subjects will undergo a brief physical exam including a brief exam to determine cognitive review.

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