Could a One-Week radiation blast beat three weeks for breast cancer?

NCT ID NCT06559540

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Washington University School of Medicine Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This phase 2 trial compares a new ultra-short radiation schedule (5 sessions over 1 week) to the current standard (15-16 sessions over 3 weeks) for women with node-positive breast cancer. The goal is to see if the shorter course is just as effective at controlling cancer while causing fewer long-term side effects like arm swelling or heart damage. About 220 participants who have had surgery will be randomly assigned to one of the two radiation plans.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: radiation therapy
What this could lead to: If successful, this could offer a shorter, more convenient radiation schedule for node-positive breast cancer patients with fewer serious side effects.
What could go wrong: This is a phase 2 trial with only 220 participants, so results are preliminary. The ultra-short schedule may cause unexpected toxicity in the lymph node area.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

breast cancer breast neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

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

NODE-POSITIVE BREAST CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Washington University School of Medicine
RECRUITING

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States

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