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A Phase I Dose-escalation Trial of Definitive Single Dose Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in Low-risk Breast Cancer Patients: DESERT I Trial

Phase I Dose-Escalation Clinical Trial of Definitive Single Dose Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in Patients with Low-risk Hormone Receptor-positive and Her2-negative Breast Cancer Not Suitable or Who Refuse Surgery: DESERT I Trial

Status
Enrolling by invitation
Phases
Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06671691
Acronym
DESERT-I
Enrollment
15
Registered
2024-11-04
Start date
2024-09-27
Completion date
2027-09-30
Last updated
2024-11-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Breast Cancer Early Stage Breast Cancer (Stage 1-3), SBRT

Keywords

Breast cancer, SBRT, Radiotherapy, early stage, Definitive treatment

Brief summary

Radiotherapy (RT) is a fundamental pillar in the fight against cancer. In the case of breast cancer, RT has traditionally been applied as an adjuvant treatment following surgery. However, in recent years, there has been research into the potential benefit of administering RT prior to surgery in a neoadjuvant manner. Given that these studies have shown promising results, it is logical to think that certain patients could benefit from exclusive RT treatment, thereby avoiding surgery and its possible sequelae. This study is a phase I dose-escalation clinical trial with sequential assignment, open-label, in which five different doses (20Gy, 23Gy, 26Gy, 28Gy, and 30Gy) will be tested on the tumor using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) technique. The aim of the study is to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) based on acute toxicity, which will allow us to proceed with a phase II clinical trial to confirm efficacy and assess the late toxicity of the treatment. Secondary objectives include assessing the pathological response via core needle biopsy (CNB), radiological response, quality of life, and cosmesis. Additionally, molecular studies will be conducted on tissue and through liquid biopsy; pre- and post-treatment, we aim to identify mutations and predictors of response.

Interventions

RADIATIONSBRT level I

20Gy in 1 fraction will be tested on the tumor using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) technique

RADIATIONSBRT level II

23Gy in 1 fraction will be tested on the tumor using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) technique

RADIATIONSBRT level III

26Gy in 1 fraction will be tested on the tumor using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) technique

RADIATIONSBRT level IV

28Gy in 1 fraction will be tested on the tumor using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) technique

RADIATIONSBRT level V

30Gy in 1 fraction will be tested on the tumor using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) technique

Sponsors

Universitat de les Illes Balears
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Treatment tolerance will be the basis for allowing us to progress to the next dose level. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) will be defined as a G3-G4 toxicity or G2 in cases of hypo/hyperpigmentation according to the CTCAE v5.0 scale, assessing the following items: induration, ulceration, pruritus, pigmentation changes, and fatigue. If, at 3 months post-RT at the initial dose level, none of the patients present a DLT, three new patients will receive RT at the next dose level. However, if any patient in a group presents a DLT, three additional patients will be added at the same dose level. Dose escalation will continue up to 30Gy unless \>33% of patients in a single dose group experience a DLT. If \>33% of patients at a dose level experience a DLT, the study will end, and the dose level immediately below this will be selected to design the phase II of the study.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Over 18 years of age * Female gender * ECOG score 0-2 * Positive biopsy for invasive non-lobular breast tumor histology * Tumor \< 3 cm in diameter as measured by MRI or contrast mammography * Tumor located ≥ 0.5 cm from the skin or rib cage, clinically or radiologically * Positive estrogen and/or progesterone receptors * HER2 negative * No lymphovascular invasion in the biopsy * Tumor must be clinically and radiologically N0 (no lymph node involvement). If a suspicious lymph node is seen, it must be biopsied and show a negative result * Patient weight below 220 kg (weight limit for the treatment table) * Ability to tolerate the supine position for 20 minutes during treatment * Able to undergo MRI and/or contrast mammography * Not pregnant; women of childbearing potential will undergo a pregnancy test to rule this out * Contraindication to or refusal of surgical treatment, which must be explicitly documented in the medical record.

Exclusion criteria

* Under 18 years of age * Male gender * ECOG score 3-4 * Positive biopsy for invasive lobular carcinoma or ductal carcinoma in situ * Tumor ≥ 3 cm in diameter as measured by MRI * Tumor located \< 0.5 cm from the skin or rib cage, clinically or radiologically * Negative estrogen and progesterone receptors * HER2 positive * Presence of lymphovascular invasion in the biopsy * Positive BRCA mutation * Multicentric tumor * Tumor with positive axillary lymph nodes * Patients with metastatic disease * History of previous breast cancer in the same breast * Previous thoracic radiotherapy * Pregnant or actively breastfeeding * Unable to undergo MRI or contrast mammography * Unable to tolerate the supine position * Patient with breast implants * Patients with pacemakers * Scleroderma, lupus, or other connective tissue diseases with active flares * Inability to understand and sign the informed consent

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Establish the single-fraction radiation dose (MTD)3 monthsTo establish the single-fraction SBRT radiation dose (MTD) that causes an incidence of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) lower than 33%

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Radiological response to treatment1 yearMeasured with MRI or contrast mammography 12 months post-RT using RECIST criteria.
Pathological response to treatment1 yearBetween 1 and 3 core needle biopsies (CNB) will be performed, guided by ultrasound on the treated lesion at 6 and 12 months post-RT to establish the rate of residual tumor cells scored by pathology review of H&E slides.
Chronic toxicity1 yearAssessed at 6 and 12 months post-treatment using CTCAE v5.0 criteria for skin, fatigue, and breast.
Cosmesis after treatment1 yearMeasured using the Modified Harvard-Harris Cosmetic Scale (MHHCS) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. Photographs of the breasts will be taken before treatment and at each follow-up visit, to be evaluated later using an external validation system. The MHCCS scale compares baseline images with those obtained post-treatment, allowing the assessment of cosmesis as follows: Poor, fair, good or excellent.
Tumor DNA sequencing1 yearTumor biopsies will be taken before and at 6 and 12 months post-treatment. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) will be performed to characterize radiation-induced changes in tumor DNA.
Patient-reported quality of life1 yearMeasured using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaires before RT and at 3 and 12 months post-treatment. EORTC QLQ-C30- scale goes from 1/not at all to 4/very much. There is additionally a rate of overall health and quality of life that is a scale from 1 to 7.

Countries

Spain

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026