Study of Adjuvant Radiotherapy Effects on Circulating Tumor Cells and Immune Response in Women With Early Non-Metastatic Breast Cancer

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the effects of adjuvant radiotherapy on patients with non-metastatic breast cancer, focusing on circulating epithelial tumor cells CETCs in the blood and their immunohistochemical features. The study compares younger high-risk premenopausal and older low-risk postmenopausal patients to explore how age influences these cells and immune system markers. The goal is to find potential prognostic biomarkers by analyzing molecular and immune changes during treatment. The study involves patients receiving guideline-based adjuvant radiotherapy after tumor removal, with some also having neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. Blood samples are collected at multiple time points during therapy to detect, isolate, and genetically characterize CETCs. Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood mononuclear cells is performed, and tumor tissue is analyzed for immunohistochemical features and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The study also examines therapy-resistant tumor cell phenotypes through in vitro cultivation. Participants will have blood drawn and tissue samples analyzed to track changes in CETCs and immune markers over two years. The study evaluates the relationship between these markers and tumor characteristics, with follow-up monitoring for recurrence-free survival over three years. This research aims to better understand molecular and immune responses to radiotherapy without altering the patients treatment plans.

Association of Adjuvant Radiotherapy of Non-metastatic Breast Carcinoma With Immunomodulation and Circulating Tumor Cell Phenotype in Relation to Patient Age.