This prospective observational study aims to functionally characterize chemotherapy resistance in patients with locally advanced breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Despite standard molecular classification, significant heterogeneity in treatment response exists, and the biological mechanisms underlying chemoresistance remain incompletely understood. In this study, patient-derived organoid (PDO) models will be established from tumor tissues obtained during routine clinical care. These three-dimensional models preserve the biological characteristics of individual tumors and enable ex vivo functional assessment of drug response. Chemotherapy sensitivity and resistance will be evaluated using quantitative parameters including Half-Maximal Inhibitory Concentration (IC50) values, cell viability, and apoptotic response. Functional data obtained from PDO models will be correlated with clinical and pathological treatment outcomes, particularly pathological complete response (pCR), to assess the predictive value of PDO-based assays. In addition, apoptotic biomarkers such as Caspase-3/7 will be measured in serum samples collected during routine clinical evaluation and analyzed in relation to treatment response. Furthermore, selected Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved small molecules will be tested in PDO models to evaluate their potential to reverse chemotherapy resistance, supporting drug repurposing strategies. This study aims to establish a functional, patient-specific platform for assessing chemoresistance and to contribute to the development of personalized therapeutic approaches in breast cancer.
Age range
18 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Correlation Between PDO-Based Chemotherapy Response Metrics and Pathological Complete Response (pCR)
Timeframe: At completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (approximately 6 months)