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Recruiting Phase 1 NCT06999798

NCT06999798 An Optimized Ultrasound Twinkling Marker for the Imaging of Lymph Nodes in Patients With Clinically Node-Positive Breast Cancer, The UTMOST2 Trial

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT06999798
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 1
Sponsor Mayo Clinic
Condition Anatomic Stage II Breast Cancer AJCC v8
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 20 participants
Start Date 2025-08-29
Primary Completion 2026-07-30

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex Female only
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age N/A
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Diagnostic MammographyResectionUltrasound Imaging

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

Phase 1 is the earliest stage of human testing — safety and dosage are the primary focus. Visits are frequent and medical supervision is intensive. You will be among the first people to receive this treatment.

This trial targets 20 participants in total. It began in 2025-08-29 with a primary completion date of 2026-07-30.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

This phase I trial studies the performance, including ultrasound visibility, of an optimized ultrasound twinkling marker in imaging lymph nodes in patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer. In patients with biopsy-proven breast cancer, biopsy markers are used to identify the sites of cancer involvement in both the breasts and lymph nodes. These biopsy markers are critical for guiding surgical management many months after the marker is placed. For breast radiologists and breast surgeons, there is a need for simple, consistent visibility of biopsy markers by ultrasound, particularly several months after marker placement. Ultrasound is the imaging method of choice, particularly for lymph nodes in the armpit (axilla). Ultrasound is non-ionizing and is more comfortable for patients compared to mammography. However, ultrasound visibility of these markers is challenging and inconsistent, with ultrasound failing to detect the marker approximately 25% of the time. The Mayo-designed investigational biopsy marker takes advantage of an ultrasound phenomenon called twinkling artifact. The Mayo-designed optimized ultrasound twinkling marker may work better than standard biopsy clip marker in imaging lymph nodes in patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Patient 18 years or older with breast cancer and biopsy-proven malignant involvement of an axillary lymph node * Surgical management will be determined by the surgeon, who will decide if preoperative Iodine (I)-125 seed localization of the positive node is necessary or if they will retrieve the positive node with intraoperative ultrasound guidance. During surgery, the targeted node, its associated biopsy markers, I-125 seed if placed, and optimized twinkling marker will be resected. The position of the marker in the lymph node or proximity to the node will be noted from the surgical and pathology documentation * Surgery will be performed by one of the surgeons in the Division of Breast and Melanoma Surgical Oncology (Doctor \[Dr.\] Judy Boughey, Dr. Amy Degnim, Dr. Tina Hieken, Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, Dr. Mary Mrdutt, Dr. Shon Black) * Patients must be able to understand the study procedures and comply with them for the entire length of the study * No contraception is necessary or required Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who are pregnant * Current drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements * Current or past participation within a specified timeframe in another clinical trial, as warranted by the administration of this intervention

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Clinical Trials Referral Office

✉ mayocliniccancerstudies@mayo.edu

📞 855-776-0015

Principal Investigator

Christine U. Lee, MD, PhD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT06999798 clinical trial?

This trial is open to female participants only, aged 18 Years or older, studying Anatomic Stage II Breast Cancer AJCC v8. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

What phase is the NCT06999798 trial and what does that mean for participants?

Phase 1 trials are the first stage of human testing. The primary goal is to assess safety and determine appropriate dosage levels. Participants are closely monitored. These trials typically involve a small number of volunteers.

Is NCT06999798 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT06999798 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at mayocliniccancerstudies@mayo.edu for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT06999798 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Rochester, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT06999798 clinical trial?

NCT06999798 is sponsored by Mayo Clinic. The principal investigator is Christine U. Lee, MD, PhD at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The trial plans to enroll 20 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: July 2026  ·  Data Methodology