Electric pulses aim to zap breast cancer tumors in early safety trial
NCT ID NCT07487844
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Sep 18, 2026 · Updated 4 times
Summary
This pilot study tests a device that uses short, high-frequency electrical pulses to shrink or destroy soft tissue tumors in people with metastatic breast cancer. The trial will enroll 20 adults with tumors near the skin that are at least 1 cm but no larger than 5 cm. The main goal is to check safety, and researchers will also track quality of life using questionnaires.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) System (Aliya™ PEF System)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new, non-invasive way to shrink or destroy superficial tumors in metastatic breast cancer, potentially improving local control and quality of life.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small pilot study (20 people) focused on safety, not effectiveness. The treatment is limited to superficial lesions, and it may not shrink tumors or improve survival. Side effects are unknown.
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.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Jun 2026
- Expected to finish
-
Aug 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
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.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: 1. Participants must have histologically or cytologically confirmed metastatic breast cancer. 2. Confirmed documented soft tissue involvement via imaging or biopsy, with at least one measurable lesion with a cutaneous and/or subcutaneous component that is at least 1 cm in size but no greater than 5 cm in size and that can be safely accessed under image guidance. Up to 3 lesions that meet these criteria may be treated with PEF ablation therapy. 3. There are no limits on the amount of prior or concurrent anti-cancer therapies, but patients must be medically able (in the opinion of referring provider and treating investigator) to withhold their systemic therapy for breast cancer one week before the PEF ablation and for 2 weeks after the procedure. 4. Age ≥18 years 5. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤ 2. 6. Adequate Bone Marrow Function: 1. Absolute neutrophil count ≥1,500/microliter (mcL). 2. Platelets ≥100,000/mcL. 7. Not on or able to withhold anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy per Society of Interventional Radiology periprocedural guideline. 8. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load within 6 months (as documented in the medical record) are eligible for this trial. 9. For participants with evidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the HBV viral load must be undetectable on suppressive therapy (as documented in the medical record), if indicated. 10. Individuals with a history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection must have been treated and cured. For individuals with HCV infection who are currently on treatment, they are eligible if they have an undetectable HCV viral load (as documented in the medical record). 11. Individuals with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen are eligible for this trial. 12. The effects of pulsed electric field on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason individuals of reproductive potential must agree to use adequate contraception: (e.g., hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence, etc.) for the duration of study participation and for 4 weeks after last administration of study treatment. Should a study participant become pregnant or suspect pregnancy while participating in this study, they should inform their treating physician immediately. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Has not recovered from adverse events due to prior/concurrent systemic anti-cancer therapy to ≤ Grade 2 (CTCAE v5.0) or baseline (other than alopecia). 2. Individuals with pacemakers or other electronic implant devices. 3. Individuals who are unable or unwilling, or with medical contraindication, to undergo moderate sedation and local anesthesia. 4. Pregnant individuals are excluded from this study because there is unknown risk of PEF on fetus. 5. Breastfeeding/chestfeeding individuals are excluded from this study because there is unknown risk on nursing infants; breastfeeding/chestfeeding should be discontinued prior to initiating study treatment. 6. Individuals with any condition or social circumstance that, in the opinion of the treating investigator, would impair the participant's ability to comply with study procedures.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Breast cancer are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Locations
-
University of California San Francisco
RECRUITINGSan Francisco, California, 94143, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a common steroid shield breast cancer patients from a dangerous drug side effect?
- Tiny magnetic seeds could guide surgeons to the right lymph node
- New PET tracer aims to light up hidden cancer targets
- Gut bacteria supplement tested against chemo hair loss
- Can a mindfulness program boost Self-Compassion in breast cancer survivors?
- Can a Decades-Old Anti-Inflammatory drug quiet the joint pain that drives women off breast cancer therapy?