Preoperative Radiation Therapy and Immediate Breast Reconstruction

Official title

Preoperative Radiation Therapy and Immediate Breast Reconstruction, a Phase 3 Randomized Controlled Trial in the Belgian Population

Overview

The goal of this phase III randomized controlled trial (PRADAIIBE) is to assess if preoperative radiation therapy (Preop-RT) combined with immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) can safely improve both aesthetic and quality of life outcomes in breast cancer patients, compared to the standard of care (SoC) therapy consisting of post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) and delayed/immediate breast reconstruction, in a population of breast cancer patients with an indication of mastectomy and PMRT. The following hypotheses and outcomes will be assessed at the primary endpoint of 1 year of follow-up: * Efficacy: Does Preop-RT+IBR lead to a higher BREAST-Q satisfaction with breasts score (primary endpoint), EQ-5D-5L VAS score , EQ-5D-5L Index score, AIS-Total Aesthetic Score, or a shorter treatment duration compared to SoC? * Safety: Does Preop-RT+IBR lead to an increase in adverse events (general or surgical), a lower rate of pathologic Complete Response (pCR), or worse survival outcomes compared to SoC? \[Note: this study was not powered as a non-inferiority trial, all outcomes will be pooled internationally with parallel studies\] Eligible and consenting participants will undergo screening and baseline assessments. They will then be randomised between experimental (Preop-RT+IBR) and control (SoC) groups, in a 1:1 stratified variable block size design. Follow-up will take place at 3 months, 1, 2, 5, and 10 years after the last study treatment. At baseline and during each follow-up visit each participant will complete the Breast Q 'satisfaction with breasts' and EQ-5D-5L scales, photographs will be taken. During follow-up pCR will be assessed if applicable, adverse events will be registered, and oncological follow-up will be recorded.

Detailed description

The PRADAIIBE study is a multicentric phase III randomized controlled trial, investigating the effects of radiation therapy timing on breast reconstruction results in breast cancer patients.

This study will recruit adult female breast cancer patients from the Belgian population, who have an indication for mastectomy, Post-Mastectomy Radiation Therapy (PMRT), and also have a wish for breast reconstruction.

After informed consent is signed, patients will be screened, and included in the study if all eligibility criteria are met. If they are not eligible for participation or choose to withdraw after the ICF was signed, they will be registered as a 'screen failure'.

After study inclusion, baseline assessments take place, this includes two questionnaires, one focussed on patient's satisfaction with their own breasts (BREAST-Q v2, BQ-score), the other one focussed on their quality of life perception (EQ-5D-5L VAS-score and Index-score). Next, four photographs of the exposed breast area will be taken. These photographs will later be assessed by an expert panel (AIS-TAS).

Eligible participants are randomized using the central eCRF randomization tool (Castor EDC). Randomisation is stratified on study site and a variable block size will be used. Resulting in random assignment to one of the following treatment arms:

* Control (SoC) treatment arm: Mastectomy followed by PMRT and delayed (or immediate) breast reconstruction. * Experimental treatment arm: preoperative radiation therapy (preop-RT) followed by mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction.

Those assigned to the control group will follow the standard of care (SoC) treatment consisting of oncological surgery (within 6 weeks of randomisation or end of preop chemotherapy) followed by radiation therapy (PMRT) within 6-12 weeks. The breast reconstruction surgery will take place either at the same time (e.g. tissue expander implantation) as the oncological surgery, or at a delayed moment (usually a 6-12 months delay).

Patients assigned to the intervention group will receive preop-RT (within 6 weeks of randomisation or end of preop chemotherapy), and after an interval of 2-6 weeks mastectomy combined with immediate breast reconstruction will be performed. The radiation therapy will be administered according to the same principles as PMRT/Whole Breast Radiation Therapy (WBRT). This change to preoperative timing of the radiation therapy allows for immediate breast reconstruction without irradiation of the reconstructed breast.

In the unexpected event of tumour downstaging due to preoperative treatment, changing the indication from mastectomy to breast conserving surgery (BCS), while the patient has already been included, it is allowed within the study protocol to perform BCS. In this case the patient should receive the treatment and surgery which is in their best interest. The same follow-up will be provided. In statistical analysis results from such patients will be handled according to the inter-current events (ICE) strategies defined in the SAP. However, such downstaging is not expected from preop-RT at such a short treatment interval of 2-6 weeks.

Systemic therapy will be administered per standard of care, according to the discretion of the treating medical oncologist. Systemic therapy details will be registered in the eCRF, but it is not considered as part of the study treatments, and will not be manipulated within this trial.

After the treatment period is finished (last study treatment) follow-up will take place at 3 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years and 10 years. In the control group, patients undergoing delayed breast reconstruction will be invited to an intermediate follow up visit (IMFU) visit at 3 months after conclusion of radiation therapy. The reason for this IMFU visit is to capture the outcomes of interest in the interval between mastectomy and breast reconstruction, as well as provide continued study follow-up during this long treatment interval of +/- 6-12 months.

During each follow-up visit the BREAST-Q and EQ-5D-5L questionnaires will be assessed, photographs will be taken and evaluated at a later (expert panel using the AIS-tool), adverse events will be elicited, pathologic response assessed, treatment milestones are recorded (treatment duration) and oncological recurrence is assessed from the +1 year visit onwards according to the events and outcomes described in the DATECAN 2015 initiative.

Interventions

• Radiation Preoperative radiotherapy
  In this study patients assigned to the experimental treatment arm will receive preoperative radiation therapy instead of postoperative radiation therapy (PMRT). This preoperative radiation therapy will be administered according to the standard of care (SoC) principles for PMRT and Whole Breast Radiation Therapy (WBRT) as defined by international guidelines.
• Radiation Postoperative radiotherapy
  Standard of care (SoC) postoperative radiotherapy, as defined by international guidelines.
• Procedure Immediate breast reconstruction
  In the experimental arm of the PRADAIIBE, the participants will undergo immediate breast reconstruction surgery. This is defined as breast reconstruction taking place at the same time as oncological surgery. Using one of the following primary techniques: 1) Autologous tissue reconstruction ; 2) Breast implant based reconstruction; 3) Combined autologous tissue and breast implant reconstruction. These techniques can take place in a single phase, or in a two-phased (tissue expander) approach. Adj
• Procedure Immediate or delayed breast reconstruction
  In the standard arm of the PRADAIIBE, the participants will undergo immediate or delayed breast reconstruction surgery. This is defined as breast reconstruction taking place at the same time as oncological surgery (immediate), or at a later time (delayed). Using one of the following primary techniques: 1) Autologous tissue reconstruction ; 2) Breast implant based reconstruction; 3) Combined autologous tissue and breast implant reconstruction. These techniques can take place in a single phase, or

Primary outcome measures

• Patient's satisfaction with breasts. [Time frame: Measured at 3 months, 1year, 2 years, 5 years and 10 years after last locoregional treatment. Primary endpoint: 1 year after LST.]

Secondary outcome measures (7)

• Quality of Life (EQ-5D-5L VAS score) [Time frame: A baseline assessment is performed during the screening visit, followed by repeated measurements during the IMFU (if applicable), 3M, 1Y, 2Y, 5Y, and 10Y follow-up visits.]
• Quality of Life (Index score) [Time frame: A baseline assessment is performed during the screening visit, followed by repeated measurements during the IMFU (if applicable), 3M, 1Y, 2Y, 5Y, and 10Y follow-up visits.]
• Breast cosmesis, objective assessment (AIS - TAS) [Time frame: Photographs are taken during the screening visit, followed by repeated photographs during the IMFU (if applicable), 3M, 1Y, 2Y, 5Y, and 10Y follow-up visits. Expert panel assessment will take place at a later moment.]
• Frequency and severity of adverse events (General AEs) [Time frame: AEs will be assessed and recorded continuously, with explicit querying during all follow-up visits.]
• Frequency and severity of adverse events (Surgical AEs) [Time frame: AEs will be assessed and recorded continuously, with explicit querying during all follow-up visits.]
• Treatment duration [Time frame: These outcome variables will be continuously recorded as the participant progresses through the study and the data is entered in the eCRF.]
• Pathological complete response rate (pCR) [Time frame: This outcome variable will be assessed after the pathology report of the removed breast tissues is available. This is checked intermittently during the treatment phase, or at least during the 3 months follow-up visit.]

Eligibility criteria

Screening assessments, including review of all study eligibility criteria must be completed before enrolment and randomisation.

Inclusion criteria

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, a participant must meet all of the following criteria:

1\. Women ≥18 years with histopathologically confirmed breast cancer who:

1.a. require SSM/NSM for any reason (e.g. extensive disease)

1.b. require postoperative radiation therapy of at least the chest wall

• c. have a wish for a breast reconstruction
• An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status grade ≤ 2
• Participant is able and willing to provide written informed consent, which includes compliance with and ability to undergo all study procedures, and attend the scheduled follow-up visit(s) per protocol.

Exclusion criteria

A potential participant who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

• A previous history of breast cancer or irradiation of the chest wall for any other indication, on the other side (ipsilateral). A bilateral SSM/NSM + reconstruction (e.g. in case of a contralateral prophylactic SSM/NSM), or previous contralateral breast cancer disease/treatment, do not fall under this criterium and are thus allowed.
• Collagen synthesis disease
• Ongoing pregnancy
• Actively breastfeeding
• Smoking at time of inclusion (a history of smoking is allowed but needs to be registered in the eCRF). No interval between smoking cessation and study inclusion is defined, but the reconstructive surgeon needs to be willing to operate the patient using autologous tissue transfer. This generally translates to a smoking cessation of >3months preoperatively.
• BMI > 35 kg/m2
• cT4d tumour, metastatic disease or any reason making SSM/NSM not indicated

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Parallel assignment

Masking

Open label

Primary purpose

Treatment

Study locations

Belgium · 6 centers

• Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen (UZA) — Edegem
• Ziekenhuis aan de stroom — Wilrijk
• AZ Klina — Brasschaat
• CHU Namur — Namur
• Universitair Ziekenhuis Gent (UZGent) — Ghent
• AZ Groeninge — Kortrijk

Publications

• Quisenaerts T, Van Der Auwera I, Poortmans P, Reynders D, Van Dieren L, Thiessen F, Amajoud Z, Tondu T, Punie K, Tjalma W, Van Berckelaer C, Kindts I, Remouchamps V, Depypere B, Machiels M. Preoperative Radiation Therapy and Immediate Breast Reconstruction, a phase 3 randomized controlled trial in the Belgian population (PRADAIIBE): a study protocol. BMC Cancer. 2026 Apr 27;26(1):743. doi: 10.1186 PMID 42046025

Identifiers

NCT: NCT06739655 · CTO23023GZA

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗