Magnetic Occult Lesion Localization Instrument (MOLLI) Guidance System for Breast Lesion Localization

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In contemporary breast cancer management, more than 70% of breast cancer patients are eligible for - and select - breast-conserving therapy (BCS). However, issues with cosmesis, patient experience, and treatment workflow efficiency during the therapeutic process have considerable room for improvement.

BCS consists of a surgical procedure whereby the suspicious tumor and a rim of surrounding normal tissue are removed. Up to one-third of all diagnosed breast cancers are non-palpable,and require some form of pre-operative localization to guide precise surgical excision. Currently, options for localization of non-palpable lesions are suboptimal in terms of patient experience, healthcare system resource utilization, and cost-effectiveness.

One of the most common approaches is radioactive seed localization (RSL). RSL consists of insertion of a small radioactive seed under ultrasound guidance to mark the center and/or borders of the tumor. During the procedure the surgeon uses a hand-held probe to detect the seed and guide surgical excision of the lesion intra-operatively. While RSL is effective the use of a radioactive source is and poses many challenges for patients and staff. Another common approach is wired-guided localization (WGL). WGL involves implantation of a hooked wire to mark the center or outer edges of the lesion. Due to modest cost and relative ease of use, WGL use is widespread, however disadvantages include significant patient discomfort, possible migration of the implanted wire, and potential difficulties in localizing axillary lymph nodes.

WHAT ARE THE INVESTIGATORS DOING?

The investigative team of surgeons and scientists are examining an alternative approach to BCS called magnetic occult lesion localization and imaging (MOLLI). Analogous to RSL, this procedure involves implantation of a small passive magnetic seed - under ultrasound or mammographic imaging guidance - directly into or surrounding the tumor; during the procedure the surgeon uses a novel hand-held probe to intra-operatively detect the position of this seed and remove the tumor.

WHY IS THE STUDY BEING CONDUCTED?

MOLLI offers many of the same benefits as RSL but without any radiation. MOLLI also has the potential to be more effective and accurate than other localization methods. MOLLI has recently been evaluated as part of a phase I clinical trial and was demonstrated to be a safe and effective localization technology. The goal for the current trial is to evaluate clinical and health economic outcomes with MOLLI compared to standard-of-care approaches to help improve access to a wireless, low-cost, but effective breast lesion localization technology for breast cancer patients.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURING THE STUDY?

As part of this study, researchers will 1) evaluate identify barriers and facilitators related to MOLLI based on feedback from clinical staff, 2) demonstrate cost-effectiveness of MOLLI and 3) gather information on the participants' experience with the MOLLI seed. At each site, the first 25 participants will be treated with the standard of care for BCS (RSL or WGL), and the second 25 participants will be treated with MOLLI.

ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS?

No side effects are expected from the study treatments. Possible risks associated with using MOLLI include:

A small risk of bleeding A remote risk of allergic reaction to nickel contained in the MOLLI seeds

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER THE STUDY?

Participants may be contacted by a study team member up to and including 16 weeks (6.5 months) after the procedure to take part in a short telephone questionnaire. The questionnaire should take no more than 5 minutes to complete.

Inclusion criteria

• Women 18 years or older with histologically confirmed unifocal breast lesion and identified as a candidate for BCS, this includes patients with high-risk, premalignant (eg. ductal carcinoma in-situ), or malignant (eg. invasive ductal carcinoma) lesions
• Lesions must be non-palpable and require pre-operative localization for surgical guidance
• Lesions must be visible as determined by preoperative breast mammogram and / or ultrasound imaging. Pre-operative MRI is at the discretion of the treating surgeon.

Exclusion criteria

• Biologically male patients
• Locally advanced malignant breast cancer
• Any absolute contraindications to BCS
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Existing allergy to metallic seed materials
• Patients requiring MRI after MOLLI seed placement