Carbon Suspension vs. Metallic Marker for Axillary Lymph Node Marking in Breast Cancer After Neoadjuvant Therapy

NCT ID: NCT07106112

Last Updated: 2025-08-06

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

110 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-05-15

Study Completion Date

2026-12-31

Brief Summary

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This single-center, randomized study aims to compare the intraoperative detection rates of axillary lymph nodes marked with carbon suspension versus metallic markers in breast cancer patients (T1-3N1M0) before neoadjuvant therapy. Primary endpoint: frequency of marked lymph node identification during surgery. Secondary endpoints: time from marking to surgery and quality of life (EORTC QLQ-BR23).

Detailed Description

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Interventions:

Group 1: Ultrasound-guided injection of 0.5 mL carbon suspension (Black Eye). Group 2: Ultrasound-guided placement of a metallic marker (TWIRL ULTRACOR). Follow-up: 6 months post-surgery. Design: Randomized 1:1, non-inferiority trial.

Conditions

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Breast Cancer

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Carbon Suspension (Black Eye) Marking

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Ultrasound-guided carbon suspension (Black Eye) injection

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Under ultrasound guidance, 0.5 mL of sterile carbon particle suspension (Black Eye) is injected into the capsule of the metastatic axillary lymph node(s).

Technique: Performed using a high-frequency linear ultrasound probe (e.g., 12 MHz) and a 22G needle.

Target: Up to 3 pathologically confirmed metastatic lymph nodes. Timing: Performed before initiation of neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST).

Rationale:

Carbon suspension provides long-term visual localization due to its black staining properties.

Inert and biocompatible, with minimal risk of allergic reactions. Patients proceed to standard NST based on tumor subtype (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or endocrine therapy).

Post-NST imaging (ultrasound, CT, or PET-CT) to assess treatment response.

Surgical Intervention:

Targeted axillary dissection (TAD) with removal of marked nodes + sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) using fluorescent dye.

Intraoperative frozen section analysis (hematoxylin \& eosin staining) of excised nodes.

Metallic Marker (TWIRL ULTRACOR) Placement

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Ultrasound-guided metallic marker (TWIRL ULTRACOR) placement

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

A 4-mm nitinol (nickel-titanium alloy) marker (TWIRL ULTRACOR) is deployed into the metastatic lymph node(s) under ultrasound guidance.

Technique: Uses a specialized introducer kit for precise placement. Target: Up to 3 pathologically confirmed metastatic lymph nodes. Timing: Performed before initiation of NST.

Rationale:

Nitinol markers are radiopaque, MRI-compatible, and resistant to migration. Standard method for tumor localization in breast cancer.

Post-Marking Protocol:

Identical NST and imaging follow-up as Group 1.

Surgical Intervention:

TAD with marker localization (palpation/imaging-guided excision) + SLNB. Intraoperative frozen section analysis.

Interventions

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Ultrasound-guided carbon suspension (Black Eye) injection

Under ultrasound guidance, 0.5 mL of sterile carbon particle suspension (Black Eye) is injected into the capsule of the metastatic axillary lymph node(s).

Technique: Performed using a high-frequency linear ultrasound probe (e.g., 12 MHz) and a 22G needle.

Target: Up to 3 pathologically confirmed metastatic lymph nodes. Timing: Performed before initiation of neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST).

Rationale:

Carbon suspension provides long-term visual localization due to its black staining properties.

Inert and biocompatible, with minimal risk of allergic reactions. Patients proceed to standard NST based on tumor subtype (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or endocrine therapy).

Post-NST imaging (ultrasound, CT, or PET-CT) to assess treatment response.

Surgical Intervention:

Targeted axillary dissection (TAD) with removal of marked nodes + sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) using fluorescent dye.

Intraoperative frozen section analysis (hematoxylin \& eosin staining) of excised nodes.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Ultrasound-guided metallic marker (TWIRL ULTRACOR) placement

A 4-mm nitinol (nickel-titanium alloy) marker (TWIRL ULTRACOR) is deployed into the metastatic lymph node(s) under ultrasound guidance.

Technique: Uses a specialized introducer kit for precise placement. Target: Up to 3 pathologically confirmed metastatic lymph nodes. Timing: Performed before initiation of NST.

Rationale:

Nitinol markers are radiopaque, MRI-compatible, and resistant to migration. Standard method for tumor localization in breast cancer.

Post-Marking Protocol:

Identical NST and imaging follow-up as Group 1.

Surgical Intervention:

TAD with marker localization (palpation/imaging-guided excision) + SLNB. Intraoperative frozen section analysis.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Women ≥18 years.
* Morphologically confirmed breast cancer (T1-3N1M0).
* ECOG 0-1.
* Indication for neoadjuvant therapy.
* Signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

* No lymph node regression post-neoadjuvant therapy (persistent N1).
* Distant metastasis progression.
* Severe comorbidities (NYHA III-IV, COPD GOLD D, Child-Pugh C).
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Saint Petersburg State University, Russia

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Alina Olchonova

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Alina A Olchonova, Physician

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Saint Petersburg State University, Russia

Locations

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St. Petersburg State University

Saint Petersburg, , Russia

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Russia

Central Contacts

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Alina A Olchonova, Physician

Role: CONTACT

+79818197785

Facility Contacts

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St. Petersburg State University

Role: primary

+7 (812) 363-60-00

Other Identifiers

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05/45

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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