A study of cell changes in breast cancer that has spread to another part of the body (AURORA)

Cancer type:

Breast cancer

Cancer spread to the liver

Cancer spread to the lung

Secondary cancers

Status:

Open

Phase:

Other

This study wants to identify the different cell changes that occur in breast cancer. It is open to women and men whose breast cancer has spread to another part of the body (secondary breast cancer) or has come back after treatment in the same place (locally recurred).

More about this trial

The researchers will collect information about your cancer and treatment. They will also collect blood samples and do tests on samples of cancer tissue. The aim is to increase understanding of secondary and locally recurred breast cancer and improve treatment.

Please note you may not get any benefit from joining this study. The researchers hope the information gained will improve the care and treatment of people with breast cancer in the future.

Who can enter

The following bullet points list the entry conditions for this study. If you are unsure about any of these speak with your doctor or the study team. They will be able to advise you.

You may be able to join this study if all of the following apply. You

Have breast cancer that has spread to another part of your body or has come back in the same area and it can't be treated with the aim to cure
Are well enough to carry out all your normal activities, apart from heavy physical work (performance status of 0 or 1)
Have satisfactory blood test results
Are at least 18 years old

You cannot join this study if any of these apply. You

Have had more than 1 type of treatment that reaches your whole body (systemic treatment ) for example chemotherapy
Have had radiotherapy for symptom control to the only area of cancer spread where a sample of tissue (biopsy) can be taken
Have had another cancer in the past 5 years apart from successfully treated non melanoma skin cancer or in situ carcinoma of the cervix

Trial design

This study is open in Europe and the UK. The researchers need 1,000 women and men to join.

The researchers will ask your permission to look at your medical notes to find out about your breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and current state of your cancer. They will check your notes every 6 months to see what treatment you have and the outcome of it.

They will take blood samples

When you join
Every 6 months for 10 years if you decide to do so
If your cancer starts to grow again

The researchers will ask for a sample of your cancer spread. They can use a sample of tissue taken from

Any surgery to remove your cancer spread
Any biopsy you have had since your cancer spread

If you haven’t had surgery or a biopsy done your doctor will talk to you about taking a biopsy of your cancer spread for this study.

The team will also ask for a sample of your primary breast cancer Open a glossary item that was removed when you had surgery or a biopsy.

Hospital visits

The blood samples are taken at your routine clinic appointments. You may have one extra hospital visit every 6 months to collect a blood sample during the 10 years of follow up.