Could a needle biopsy replace surgery for some breast cancer patients?

NCT ID NCT03289195

Ongoing Diagnosis Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looks at whether a breast MRI-guided biopsy can accurately tell if a woman's breast cancer has completely disappeared after chemotherapy. Researchers will enroll 31 women whose tumors are no longer visible on MRI after treatment. If the biopsy correctly identifies a complete response, it may one day help some women avoid breast surgery.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: MRI-guided breast biopsy
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could allow some women with breast cancer to avoid surgery after chemotherapy, relying on a less invasive biopsy instead.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase study with only 31 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. The biopsy may miss residual cancer, leading to false reassurance.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

breast cancer breast neoplasm estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer HER2 positive breast carcinoma invasive ductal breast carcinoma triple-negative breast carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BREAST CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge (All Protocol Activities)

Basking Ridge, New Jersey, 07920, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (All Protocol Activities)

Montvale, New Jersey, 07645, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (All Protocol Activities)

New York, New York, 10065, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (All Protocol Activities)

Middletown, New Jersey, 07748, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (All Protocol Activities)

Rockville Centre, New York, 11570, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Suffolk-Commack (All Protocol Activities)

Commack, New York, 11725, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (All Protocol Activities)

Harrison, New York, 10604, United States

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