Light-Based imaging may predict chemo success in breast cancer
NCT ID NCT02510456
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a noninvasive imaging method called Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy Imaging (DOSI) to see if it could predict how breast cancer responds to chemotherapy. Twenty-four women with breast cancer were scanned up to 9 times during their treatment. The goal was to see if changes in oxygen levels in the tumor could forecast whether the cancer would completely disappear after chemo.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this imaging technique could help doctors quickly see if chemotherapy is working, potentially guiding treatment adjustments without extra biopsies.
- What could go wrong
- This was a small, early study with only 24 participants. The imaging method is still experimental and may not reliably predict response in all patients.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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24 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2015
- Finished
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May 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
The first cohort will consist of participants with up to 9 DOSI scans at 6 different time points during the course of their neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). The time course of chemotherapy may vary between 3-9 months depending on the type chemotherapy subjects receive. There will be a second cohort of patients with breast cancer who are not receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and who will only be measured at baseline.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria for Neoadjuvant Chemo (NAC) Cohort: 1. Female; 2. Diagnosis of invasive breast cancer by clinical breast examination, by standard of care diagnostic imaging, or by initial tissue biopsy; 3. Planned for primary systemic (neoadjuvant) chemotherapy and surgical resection of residual primary tumor following completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy; 4. Tumor size ≥ 2cm, measured on imaging or estimated by physical exam; 5. Planned definitive breast surgery (mastectomy or lumpectomy/breast conservation) following completion of neoadjuvant therapy; 6. Age 18 years or older; 7. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status ≤ 2 (Karnofsky performance status ≥ 60%; 8. Adequate organ and marrow function, as defined at Boston Medical Center (BMC); 9. Postmenopausal for a minimum of one year, OR surgically sterile, OR not pregnant, confirmed by a pregnancy test as per institutional standard of care, and willing to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) for the duration of study participation; 10. Able to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent document and a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorization in accordance with institutional guidelines. Inclusion Criteria for Non-NAC Cohort: 1. Female; 2. Diagnosis of invasive breast cancer by clinical breast examination, by standard of care diagnostic imaging, or by initial tissue biopsy; 3. Tumor size ≥2cm, measured on imaging or estimated by physical exam; 4. Planned definitive breast surgery (mastectomy or lumpectomy/breast conservation) following completion of neoadjuvant therapy; 5. Age 18 years or older; 6. ECOG Performance Status ≤ 2 (Karnofsky performance status ≥ 60%; see Appendix II); 7. Adequate organ and marrow function, as defined at BMC; 8. Postmenopausal for a minimum of one year, OR surgically sterile, OR not pregnant, confirmed by a pregnancy test as per institutional standard of care, and willing to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) for the duration of study participation; 9. Able to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent document and a HIPAA authorization in accordance with institutional guidelines. Exclusion Criteria for All Cohorts: 1. Previous treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery) to involved breast; 2. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements; 3. Medically unstable; 4. Under age 18; 5. Pregnant or nursing; 6. Previous malignancy, other than basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or in situ carcinoma of the cervix, from which the patient has been disease free for less than 5 years; 7. No contraindications for primary chemotherapy.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Boston Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, 02118, United States
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