NCT04852887 · NRG Oncology
De-Escalation of Breast Radiation Trial for Hormone Sensitive, HER-2 Negative, Oncotype Recurrence Score Less Than or Equal to 18 Breast Cancer (DEBRA)
(DEBRA)
What this study is about
This Phase III Trial evaluates whether breast conservation surgery and endocrine therapy results in a non-inferior rate of invasive or non-invasive ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) compared to breast conservation with breast radiation and endocrine therapy.
View original scientific description
This Phase III Trial evaluates whether breast conservation surgery and endocrine therapy results in a non-inferior rate of invasive or non-invasive ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) compared to breast conservation with breast radiation and endocrine therapy.
Interventions
OTHER
Radiation and Endocrine Therapy (Tamoxifen, Anastrozol, Letrozole, Exemestane)
Post lumpectomy radiation therapy will be external beam radiation to either the whole breast + boost, partial breast irradiation, or Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation that must begin within 12 weeks of the last breast cancer surgery(including re-excision of margins). Endocrine therapy for a minimum of 5 years. The specific regimen of endocrine therapy is at the treating physician's discretion. The dose and schedule of the drug(s) used for endocrine therapy should be consistent with the instructions in the drug package insert(s). Endocrine therapy may be initiated before, during, or after completion of radiation therapy at the discretion of the investigator.
DRUG
Endocrine Therapy (Tamoxifen, Anastrozol, Letrozole, Exemestane)
Endocrine therapy for a minimum of 5 years. The specific regimen of endocrine therapy is at the treating physician's discretion. The dose and schedule of the drug(s) used for endocrine therapy should be consistent with the instructions in the drug package insert(s).
Primary outcome measures
Time to invasive or noninvasive IBTR.
Time frame: 5 years
Time from randomization to any invasive or noninvasive IBTR or last follow-up (expressed as % IBTR-free)
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- • The patient or a legally authorized representative must provide study-specific informed consent prior to pre-entry/Step 1 and, for patients treated in the U.S., authorization permitting release of personal health information.
- The patient must have an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1.
- The patient must have undergone a lumpectomy and the margins of the resected specimen or re-excision must be histologically free of invasive tumor and DCIS with no ink on tumor as determined by the local pathologist. If pathologic examination demonstrates tumor at the line of resection, additional excisions may be performed to obtain clear margins. (Patients with margins positive for LCIS are eligible without additional resection.)
- The tumor must be unilateral invasive adenocarcinoma of the breast on histologic examination.
- Patient must have undergone axillary staging (sentinel node biopsy and/or axillary node dissection).
- The following staging criteria must be met postoperatively according to AJCC 8th edition criteria:
- By pathologic evaluation, primary tumor must be pT1 (less than or equal to 2 cm).
- By pathologic evaluation, ipsilateral nodes must be pN0. (Patients with pathologic staging of pN0(i+) or pN0(mol+) are NOT eligible.)
- Oncotype DX Recurrence Score of less than or equal to 18 on diagnostic core biopsy or resected specimen. \*\
- For patients with a T1a tumor (less than or equal to 0.5 cm in size) or patients at Canadian provinces or approved international sites where Oncotype DX Recurrence Score testing would not be covered, who do not already have an Oncotype DX Recurrence Score at pre-entry/Step 1, a specimen (unstained blocks or slides) must be sent to the Genomic Health centralized laboratory. Tumor size sample must be greater than or equal to 0.2 cm for analysis. \*\*\
- The Oncotype RS can be run on the biopsy core or surgical specimen. The patient cannot have initiated endocrine therapy prior to tissue collection.
- An Oncotype RS is required for eligibility, however, for a patient whose tumor has already had a MammaPrint test completed as part of usual care when being considered for enrollment and is in the binary "Low" category will meet this eligibility criteria and an Oncotype RS does not need to be performed.
- The tumor must have been determined to be ER and/or PgR positive assessed by current ASCO/CAP Guideline Recommendations for hormone receptor testing. Patients with greater than or equal to 1% ER or PgR staining by IHC are considered positive.
- The tumor must have been determined to be HER2-negative by current ASCO/CAP guidelines.
- Patients may be premenopausal or postmenopausal at the time of pre-entry/Step 1. For study purposes, postmenopausal is defined as:
- Age 56 or older with no spontaneous menses for at least 12 months prior to pre-entry/Step 1; or a documented hysterectomy; or
- Age 55 or younger with no spontaneous menses for at least 12 months prior to pre-entry/Step 1 (e.g., spontaneous or secondary to hysterectomy) and with a documented estradiol level in the postmenopausal range according to local institutional/laboratory standard; or Documented bilateral oophorectomy.
- The interval between the last surgery for breast cancer (including re-excision of margins) and pre-entry/Step 1 must be no more than 70 days.
- The patient must have recovered from surgery with the incision completely healed and no signs of infection.
- Bilateral mammogram or MRI within 6 months prior to pre-entry/Step 1. HIV-infected patients on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load within 6 months are eligible for this trial. Patients must be intending to take endocrine therapy for a minimum 5 years duration (tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitor). The specific regimen of endocrine therapy is at the treating physician's discretion.
Exclusion criteria
- • Definitive clinical or radiologic evidence of metastatic disease.
- pT1 mi and pT2 - pT4 tumors including inflammatory breast cancer.
- Pathologic staging of pN0(i+) or pN0(mol+), pN1, pN2, or pN3 disease.
- Patient had a mastectomy.
- Palpable or radiographically suspicious ipsilateral or contralateral axillary, supraclavicular, infraclavicular, or internal mammary nodes, unless there is histologic confirmation that these nodes are negative for tumor.
- Suspicious microcalcifications, densities, or palpable abnormalities (in the ipsilateral or contralateral breast) unless biopsied and found to be benign.
- Non-epithelial breast malignancies such as sarcoma or lymphoma.
- Proven multicentric carcinoma (invasive cancer or DCIS) in more than one quadrant or separated by 4 or more centimeters. (Patients with multifocal carcinoma are eligible.)
- Paget's disease of the nipple.
- Any history, not including the index cancer, of ipsilateral invasive breast cancer or ipsilateral DCIS treated or not treated. (Patients with synchronous or previous ipsilateral LCIS are eligible.)
- Synchronous or previous contralateral invasive breast cancer or DCIS. (Patients with synchronous and/or previous contralateral LCIS are eligible.)
- Surgical margins that cannot be microscopically assessed or are positive at pathologic evaluation. (If surgical margins are rendered free of disease by re- excision, the patient is eligible.)
- Treatment plan that includes regional nodal irradiation.
- Any treatment with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or biotherapy, administered for the currently diagnosed breast cancer prior to pre-entry/Step 1.
- History of non-breast malignancies (except for in situ cancers treated only by local excision and basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin) within 5 years prior to pre-entry/Step 1.
- Current therapy with any endocrine therapy such as raloxifene (Evista®), tamoxifen, or other selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), either for osteoporosis or breast cancer prevention. \*\
- Patients are eligible for BR007 if they receive a short course of preoperative endocrine therapy of less than 6 weeks duration (prior to randomization/Step 2) for this diagnosis after the core biopsy (and can continue postoperatively if:
- the Oncotype DX Recurrence Score is assessed on the biopsy core and is less than or equal to 18, AND
- the patient had not initiated endocrine therapy prior to core biopsy tissue collection. \*\*\
- This does not apply to adjuvant endocrine therapy recommended for this diagnosis which may start any time after surgery including prior to registration (Pre-entry/Step 1).
- Patients intending to continue on oral, transdermal, or subdermal estrogen replacement (including all estrogen only and estrogen-progesterone formulas) are not eligible. Patients that discontinue oral, transdermal, or subdermal estrogen replacement prior to registration are eligible.
- Prior breast or thoracic RT for any condition.
- Active collagen vascular disease, specifically dermatomyositis with a CPK level above normal or with an active skin rash, systemic lupus erythematosis, or scleroderma.
- Pregnancy or lactation at the time of pre-entry/Step 1 or intention to become pregnant during treatment. (Note: Pregnancy testing according to institutional standards for women of childbearing potential must be performed within 2 weeks prior to pre-entry/Step 1.)
- Any other disease, metabolic dysfunction, physical examination finding, or clinical laboratory finding giving reasonable suspicion of a disease or condition that contraindicates the use of study therapy or that may affect the interpretation of the results or render the patient at high risk from treatment complications.
- Psychiatric or addictive disorders or other conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude the patient from meeting the study requirements or interfere with interpretation of study results.
- Use of any investigational product within 30 days prior to pre-entry/Step 1.
Where
- Birmingham, Alabama
- Mobile, Alabama
- Kingman, Arizona
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Anaheim, California
- Antioch, California
- Arroyo Grande, California
- Auburn, California
- Bellflower, California
- Berkeley, California
- Beverly Hills, California
And 544 more locations — see the full list below.
Collaborators
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Apr 23, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations