Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

The aim of this study is to assess whether, omitting further axillary treatment (ALND and ART) for patients with early stage breast cancer and axillary nodal metastases on needle biopsy, who after NACT have no residual cancer in the lymph nodes on sentinel node biopsy, is non-inferior to axillary treatment in terms of disease free survival (DFS) and results in reduced risk of lymphoedema at 5 years.


Clinical Trial Description

Background: The presence of cancer in the axillary lymph nodes on needle biopsy in patients with early stage breast cancer before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has been the determinant of the need for axillary treatment (in the form of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or axillary radiotherapy (ART)) after completion of NACT. Treatment to the axilla damages lymphatic drainage from the arm and patients can subsequently develop lymphoedema, restricted shoulder movement, pain, numbness, and other sensory problems. As more effective chemotherapy is now available that results in complete eradication of cancer in the axilla in around 40 to 70% of patients, extensive axillary treatment might no longer be necessary in patients with no evidence of residual nodal disease. Aim: To assess whether, omitting further axillary treatment (ALND and ART) for patients with early stage breast cancer and axillary nodal metastases on needle biopsy, who after NACT have no residual cancer in the lymph nodes on sentinel node biopsy, is non-inferior to axillary treatment in terms of disease free survival (DFS) and results in reduced risk of lymphoedema at 5 years. Methods: Study design: A pragmatic, phase 3, open, randomised, multicentre trial and embedded economic evaluation in which participants will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio. Study population: T1-3N1M0 breast cancer patients aged 18 years or older, with needle biopsy proven nodal metastases, who after NACT have no residual cancer in the lymph nodes on dual tracer sentinel node biopsy and removal of at least 3 lymph nodes (sentinel nodes and marked involved node). Intervention: All participants will receive human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted treatment, endocrine therapy and radiotherapy to breast or chest wall, if indicated according to local guidelines. Patients in the intervention group will not receive further axillary treatment (ALND or ART), whereas those receiving standard care will receive axillary treatment (ALND or ART) as per local guidelines. Follow-up is annually for at least 5 years. Outcomes: The co-primary outcomes are disease free survival(DFS) and self-reported lymphoedema defined as 'yes' to the two questions participants will be asked - 'arm heaviness during the past year' and 'arm swelling now' from the Lymphoedema and Breast Cancer Questionnaire at 5 years. Secondary outcomes: arm function assessed by the QuickDASH (disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand) questionnaire; health related quality of life assessed using euroqol EQ-5D-5L; axillary recurrence free interval (ARFI); local recurrence; regional (nodal) recurrence; distant metastasis; overall survival; contralateral breast cancer; non-breast malignancy; costs; quality adjusted life years (QALYs) and cost-effectiveness. Sample size: A sample size of 1900 patients would have the ability to demonstrate a 3.5% non-inferiority margin with a 5% 1-sided significance level and 85% power, allowing for 7% non-collection of primary outcome data assuming a 90% 5-year disease free survival rate in the control arm. It would also be able to detect at least a 5% difference in proportion of patients with lymphoedema with 90% power, a 5% 2-sided significance level and allowing for 25% non-collection of primary outcome data over 5 years. Analysis plan: All analyses will be carried out on an intention-to-treat basis to preserve randomisation, avoid bias from exclusions and preserve statistical power. Time to event outcomes, including disease free survival and axillary recurrence free interval, will be assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared using Cox proportional hazards models. The proportion of patients experiencing lymphoedema at 5 years will be compared across trial arms using a chi-squared test and a logistic regression model used to adjust for stratification variables. Arm morbidity and health related quality of life will be scored using the appropriate manuals and assessed using a longitudinal mixed model regression analysis if model assumptions valid or a standardised area-under-the-curve analysis. For economic evaluation, incremental cost per QALY gained at 5 years will be estimated. Timelines for delivery: Total project duration is 120 months based on 6 months for set up; 60 months recruitment period (including an 18 months internal pilot phase); and 54 months for follow up, analysis, writing up and dissemination. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT04109079
Study type Interventional
Source University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Amit Goyal, MS, MD, FRCS
Phone +44 1332785538
Email amit.goyal@nhs.net
Status Recruiting
Phase N/A
Start date February 26, 2021
Completion date February 28, 2030

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Recruiting NCT04681911 - Inetetamab Combined With Pyrotinib and Chemotherapy in the Treatment of HER2 Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Phase 2
Terminated NCT04066790 - Pyrotinib or Trastuzumab Plus Nab-paclitaxel as Neoadjuvant Therapy in HER2-positive Breast Cancer Phase 2
Completed NCT04890327 - Web-based Family History Tool N/A
Completed NCT03591848 - Pilot Study of a Web-based Decision Aid for Young Women With Breast Cancer, During the Proposal for Preservation of Fertility N/A
Recruiting NCT03954197 - Evaluation of Priming Before in Vitro Maturation for Fertility Preservation in Breast Cancer Patients N/A
Terminated NCT02202746 - A Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of the VEGFR-FGFR-PDGFR Inhibitor, Lucitanib, Given to Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer Phase 2
Active, not recruiting NCT01472094 - The Hurria Older PatiEnts (HOPE) With Breast Cancer Study
Withdrawn NCT06057636 - Hypnosis for Pain in Black Women With Advanced Breast Cancer: A Feasibility Study N/A
Completed NCT06049446 - Combining CEM and Magnetic Seed Localization of Non-Palpable Breast Tumors
Recruiting NCT05560334 - A Single-Arm, Open, Exploratory Clinical Study of Pemigatinib in the Treatment of HER2-negative Advanced Breast Cancer Patients With FGFR Alterations Phase 2
Active, not recruiting NCT05501769 - ARV-471 in Combination With Everolimus for the Treatment of Advanced or Metastatic ER+, HER2- Breast Cancer Phase 1
Recruiting NCT04631835 - Phase I Study of the HS-10352 in Patients With Advanced Breast Cancer Phase 1
Completed NCT04307407 - Exercise in Breast Cancer Survivors N/A
Recruiting NCT03544762 - Correlation of 16α-[18F]Fluoro-17β-estradiol PET Imaging With ESR1 Mutation Phase 3
Terminated NCT02482389 - Study of Preoperative Boost Radiotherapy N/A
Enrolling by invitation NCT00068003 - Harvesting Cells for Experimental Cancer Treatments
Completed NCT00226967 - Stress, Diurnal Cortisol, and Breast Cancer Survival
Recruiting NCT06037954 - A Study of Mental Health Care in People With Cancer N/A
Recruiting NCT06019325 - Rhomboid Intercostal Plane Block on Chronic Pain Incidence and Acute Pain Scores After Mastectomy N/A
Recruiting NCT06006390 - CEA Targeting Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Lymphocytes (CAR-T) in the Treatment of CEA Positive Advanced Solid Tumors Phase 1/Phase 2