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

NCT07106112 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 110

Last updated 2025-08-06

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

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).

Conditions

Interventions

PROCEDURE

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.

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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Saint Petersburg State University, Russia

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Alina A Olchonova, Physician · Saint Petersburg State University, Russia

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-05-15
Primary Completion
2026-05-15
Completion
2026-12-31

Countries

  • Russia

Study Locations

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Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07106112 on ClinicalTrials.gov