The HIFUB study (HIFU in Breast cancer)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Study of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) in the Treatment of Early Breast Cancer
IRAS ID
233756
Contact name
Gurdeep S. Mannu
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 0 days
Research summary
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a new method of treating solid tumours by thermally ablating (destroying) them. It has been used in a number of different types of cancers but there is little information on its use in invasive breast cancer (IBC). We aim to assess the efficacy and safety of HIFU in the treatment of IBC.
In this feasibility study, fifteen otherwise healthy women diagnosed with small, early stage IBC will be treated with HIFU prior to conventional surgical treatment. The effects of HIFU on the resected tumour will be analysed and correlated with radiological findings from Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. Blood tests investigating immune response will be obtained before and following HIFU treatment. Participant experience of HIFU treatment will be evaluated using a validated patient reported outcome measures questionnaire. This study will not significantly delay the participant’s cancer treatment or influence adjuvant therapy.
If this study can show that HIFU is safe and effective, it could help lay the foundation for further research to establish a new, non-surgical treatment modality for women with early breast cancer in the UK, that avoids the need for a general anaesthetic or a cut in the skin.
REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SC/0083
Date of REC Opinion
26 May 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion