Use of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide (SPIO) Versus Conventional Radioisotope and Patent Blue Dye in Sentinel Lymph Node Detection for Breast Cancer: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Sentinel lymph node biopsy has replaced axillary dissection as the standard of care in clinically node negative breast cancer. Lymphatic mapping with radioisotope and blue dye were most studied tracer agents and their combination was shown to give the highest nodal identification rate and lowest false negative rate. However the use of radioisotope is strictly monitored due to its radioactivity and blue dye is associated with potential allergic reactions and skin tattoo. Superparamagnetic iron oxide is non-radioactive. It gives an audible signal with the magnetometer and a brown color as visual cue. It has demonstrated comparable nodal identification rate with the conventional method in multiple non-inferiority trials in Europe and the USA. There was no randomized controlled trial for a head-to-head comparison between these mapping technique. The hypothesis of this study is superparamagnetic iron oxide alone can replace the conventional dual mapping of radioisotope and blue dye.

Previous literature suggested the nodal detection rate for conventional method and SPIO was around 97%. Assuming a non-inferiorly limit of 5%, with a power of 80% and 5% significance level, the number of patients per treatment arm should be 144. We will need a sample size of 300 patients, taking into account a loss to follow-up of <5%.

All patients recruited will be provided full explanation of the study and written voluntary consents will be obtained before randomization.

All data will be prospectively collected by dedicated research assistant and computerized into a database. All statistical analysis will be performed with Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) version 24. Missing information will be marked and significant missing data will be excluded from analysis. Chi-square test will be used to compare discrete variables and student T test or Mann Whitney U test for continuous variables. P value less than 0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

Personal data will be obtained by principal investigator and dedicated research assistant to allow analysis of the results. These data will be anonymous, only identified by the first three letters of patient's name. The file will be encrypted and stored in the study institution. All the information will be solely for research purpose and kept strictly confidential.