Phase 1 Pilot Study of Breast Radiation: Ionizing DNA Damage Agent

This multi-institutional pilot study led by Alexander Stessin explores whether adding whole-breast external beam radiation therapy to standard care can reduce cancer progression in patients with unresectable, locally advanced breast cancer who decline or are ineligible for surgery. Participants, stratified by lymph node status, receive radiation aimed at inducing DNA damage to control tumor growth, evaluating the intervention’s feasibility and safety in a non-surgical treatment approach. Standard care in this setting is typically systemic therapy (chemo/endocrine/targeted based on subtype) with radiation often used for local control; this trial evaluates a more definitive-intent local strategy when surgery isn’t feasible.