This research is being done to see if proton beam radiation therapy (PBT) results in fewer changes to a participant's heart measured with MRI-imaging than conventional or "photon" radiation therapy (XRT) for participants with non-metastatic left sided breast cancer. The names of the two study groups in this research study are: * Proton Radiation Therapy (PBT) * Conventional or "Photon" Radiation Therapy (XRT)
This is a randomized phase II trial comparing participants with stage II-III breast cancer treated with accelerated Proton Beam Radiation Therapy (PBT) versus accelerated conventional photon radiation therapy (XRT) inclusive of the regional lymph nodes. Participants will be randomized into one of two study groups: proton beam radiation therapy versus photon radiation therapy. Randomization means that participants are put into a group by chance. Study procedures includes screening for eligibility, study treatment visits, Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), blood tests, and questionnaires. The National Cancer Institute, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and Claflin Grant are supporting this research by providing funding for the research study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
per protocol
per protocol
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Change in Myocardial Fibrosis from Baseline in Proton Beam Radiation Therapy (PBT)
The primary outcome is to determine whether participants who receive accelerated PBT show no increase in myocardial fibrosis on Cardiac MRI (CMR) compared to an estimated 4% increase in extracellular matrix volume fraction (ECV) in participants who receive accelerated XRT. CMR will be performed using a 3T system (Skyra, Siemens). The T1 phase on MRI will be used to measure ECV.
Time frame: Up to 7 months (pre-treatment period to 6 month follow up)
Change in Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) on CMR from Baseline
GLS will be measured using feature tracking from the Steady-state free precession (SSFP) MRI cine images (Medis Suite, Leiden).
Time frame: Up to 7 months (pre-treatment period to 6 month follow up)
Stability of Cardiac Biomarkers from Baseline
Cardiac Biomarkers will be measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA).
Time frame: Up to 7 months (pre-treatment period to 6 month follow up)
Body Image Evaluation
Assessed by photographic imaging of the breast, chest wall and reconstructed breast, the Breast Q: Mastectomy Module (Postoperative) 2.0, the Breast Q: Reconstruction Module (Postoperative) 2.0, and the Breast-Q: Breast Conserving Therapy Module (Postoperative) 2.0 questionnaires which are rigorous patient-report outcome measures. Modules grade Quality of Life (QOL) and Satisfaction Domains related to post-operative care and experiences. All BREAST-Q scales are transformed into scores that range from 0-100. T. A higher score means greater satisfaction or better QOL (depending on the scale).
Time frame: Up to 13 months (pre-treatment period to 12 month follow up)
Change in Shoulder Function from Baseline
Assessed by the Thoracic Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma, Triage, and Tracking (TFAST), the Penn Shoulder Scale (PSS), and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Shoulder Function Scale. TFAST is an objective and highly reproducible functional assessment tool of the arm and shoulder. The PSS is a patient-reported outcome tool which provides a shoulder-specific metric and distinguishes between finer levels of functioning. Scores range from 0 to 100 with a score of 100 indicating low pain, high satisfaction, and high function. DASH is a 30-item, validated, patient-reported scale that captures upper extremity functionality and mobility and maintains high construct validity and responsiveness in the breast cancer population. Questions are graded on a Likert scale with scores ranging from "1" Strongly Disagree to "5" Strongly Agree, where a cumulative score of 0 is graded no disability and 100 is most severe disability.
Time frame: Up to 13 months (pre-treatment period to 12 month follow up)
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