Breast ReconstructionPhase 1NCT03348293
Safety Study of 3D Printing Personalized Biodegradable Implant for Breast Reconstruction
A Phase 1 study testing 3D printing in people with Breast Reconstruction and Breast Cancer, run by Xijing Hospital at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
Scope of tumor resection was simulated according to the MR imaging data. After meticulous design, the investigators created the personalized porous biodegradable scaffold and printed by 3D printer, using porous PCL biomaterials. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 60 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Breast Reconstruction, Breast Cancer
- What is being tested?
- 3D printing
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 30 Jul 2018to 30 Dec 2024
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 60 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Breast cancer patients
- Tumor sized 3 cm to 6 cm
- ECOG score 1-2
- Multiple diffuse lesions in one quadrant
- Written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Triple negative breast cancer patients
- Participant in another clinical study
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Patients with nipple infringement
- Inflammatory breast carcinoma
- Paget's disease
- Serious operative contraindication
- Contraindication for MRI
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Scope of tumor resection was simulated according to the MR imaging data. After meticulous design, the investigators created the personalized porous biodegradable scaffold and printed by 3D printer, using porous PCL biomaterials. During operation, the biodegradable scaffold was implanted into the defective cavity after tumor resection. Safety indicator, cosmetic outcome and autologous compatibility were evaluated.
Read the detailed description
3D image reconstruction and printing Magnetic model images data were firstly produced by Siemens Trio Tim 3. 0 T MRI. The relative scanning parameters were adjusted as follows: layer thickness 0.9mm; pixel pitch 0.625 mm. In general, the thicker the layer thickness and pixel pitch, the better resolution and the more similar reconstructed model the investigators will get. The MRI data were then imported into Mimics 17.0® [Materialise, Leuven, Belgium] for 3D reconstruction of the targeted area. In this software, the investigators can adjust threshold value to acclimatize to segment tumor area. After that, 3D models were calculated and output as .stl files. According to the requirements of surgical planning, the scope of tumor resection was created after 2 cm expansion of the tumor area, that is, the filling scope of the implant. Next, the investigators designed the personalized porous degradable scaffold. In order to guarantee no significant differences and deformation of the implanted scaffold, the investigators used the contour of tumor resection as the boundary of the scaffold, with flexible porous structure as the units of the scaffold. Boolean operation can help to achieve this target. Finally, the printing of the personalized porous biodegradable scaffold was carried out. Biologically active material PCL was selected and the deformation and degradation time were set for 2 years by adjusting the molecular weight of PCL. Theoretically, PCL with the molecular weight above 65,000 can stably exist for 2 years in vivo, and then it will gradually degrade into H2O and CO2.The PCL material was put into the 3D printer, which was developed by the State key laboratory for mechanical manufacturing systems engineering of Xi'an Jiaotong university. The personalized porous biodegradable scaffold was completed after printing and removing supports.
Procedure In this study,the investigators produced the bio-implant at least 10 days before surgery. Before surgery, the printed bio-implant has been prepared and obtained full sterilization. Simply, under general anaesthesia, lumpectomy and sentinel-lymph-node biopsy was performed firstly, followed by 3D-printing scaffold transplantation.
- Conditions
- Breast Reconstruction, Breast Cancer
- Being tested
- 3D printing
- Keywords
- biodegradable scaffold, immediate breast reconstruction, 3D printing
- Medical subject headings
- Breast Neoplasms
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
3D printingProcedure or surgery
Scope of tumor resection was simulated according to the MR imaging data. After meticulous design, we created the personalized porous biodegradable scaffold and printed by 3D printer, using porous PCL biomaterials. During operation, the biodegradable scaffold was implanted into the defective cavity after tumor resection.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printing patient | Experimental | Immediate breast reconstruction using 3D printing personalized scaffold Receives: Procedure: 3D printing |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
adverse events
Such adverse events include (but are not limited to) infection, repeated removal of implanted bio-scaffold, the humoral immunological responses.
Measured: 1 year after surgery
Secondary outcomes (4)
Cosmetic outcome
excellent (size and shape of reconstructed breast are identical to the original breast); good (deformity of the reconstructed breast involved less than 1/4 of the original breast; fair (deformity of the reconstructed breast involves less than 1/4-1/2 of the original breast); and poor (breast deformity involves more than 1/2 of the original breast).
Measured: 6 months after surgery
Satisfaction of patients
The satisfaction of patients was investigated by self-made questionnaire
Measured: 6 months after surgery
Recurrence rate
5 year recurrence was observed
Measured: 5 year after surgery
5-Year disease free survival
5 year survival was observed
Measured: 5 year after surgery
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Nov 2017
- Study start30 Jul 2018
- Primary completion30 Dec 2024
- Study completion30 Dec 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Breast ReconstructionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Xijing HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Xijing Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03348293
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- KY20172047-1
- Status last verified
- May 2025
- First submitted
- 15 Sep 2017
- Last updated
- 3 Aug 2025
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
The utility of 3D printing for surgical planning and patient-specific implant design for complex spinal pathologies: case report. J Neurosurg Spine. 2017 Apr;26(4):513-518. doi: 10.3171/2016.9.SPINE16371. Epub 2017 Jan 20.
PubMed 28106524Chia HN, Wu BM. Recent advances in 3D printing of biomaterials. J Biol Eng. 2015 Mar 1;9:4. doi: 10.1186/s13036-015-0001-4. eCollection 2015.
PubMed 25866560Ibrahim AM, Jose RR, Rabie AN, Gerstle TL, Lee BT, Lin SJ. Three-dimensional Printing in Developing Countries. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2015 Aug 10;3(7):e443. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000000298. eCollection 2015 Jul.
PubMed 26301132
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Aug 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Safety Study of 3D Printing Personalized Biodegradable Implant for Breast Reconstruction
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03348293
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- KY20172047-1
- Conditions
- Breast Reconstruction, Breast Cancer
- Keywords
- biodegradable scaffold, immediate breast reconstruction, 3D printing
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Xijing HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 30 Jul 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Dec 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Dec 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 20 Nov 2017 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Scope of tumor resection was simulated according to the MR imaging data. After meticulous design, the investigators created the personalized porous biodegradable scaffold and printed by 3D printer, using porous PCL biomaterials. During operation, the biodegradable scaffold was implanted into the defective cavity after tumor resection. Safety indicator, cosmetic outcome and autologous compatibility were evaluated.
Detailed description
3D image reconstruction and printing Magnetic model images data were firstly produced by Siemens Trio Tim 3. 0 T MRI. The relative scanning parameters were adjusted as follows: layer thickness 0.9mm; pixel pitch 0.625 mm. In general, the thicker the layer thickness and pixel pitch, the better resolution and the more similar reconstructed model the investigators will get. The MRI data were then imported into Mimics 17.0® [Materialise, Leuven, Belgium] for 3D reconstruction of the targeted area. In this software, the investigators can adjust threshold value to acclimatize to segment tumor area. After that, 3D models were calculated and output as .stl files. According to the requirements of surgical planning, the scope of tumor resection was created after 2 cm expansion of the tumor area, that is, the filling scope of the implant. Next, the investigators designed the personalized porous degradable scaffold. In order to guarantee no significant differences and deformation of the implanted scaffold, the investigators used the contour of tumor resection as the boundary of the scaffold, with flexible porous structure as the units of the scaffold. Boolean operation can help to achieve this target. Finally, the printing of the personalized porous biodegradable scaffold was carried out. Biologically active material PCL was selected and the deformation and degradation time were set for 2 years by adjusting the molecular weight of PCL. Theoretically, PCL with the molecular weight above 65,000 can stably exist for 2 years in vivo, and then it will gradually degrade into H2O and CO2.The PCL material was put into the 3D printer, which was developed by the State key laboratory for mechanical manufacturing systems engineering of Xi'an Jiaotong university. The personalized porous biodegradable scaffold was completed after printing and removing supports.
Procedure In this study,the investigators produced the bio-implant at least 10 days before surgery. Before surgery, the printed bio-implant has been prepared and obtained full sterilization. Simply, under general anaesthesia, lumpectomy and sentinel-lymph-node biopsy was performed firstly, followed by 3D-printing scaffold transplantation.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printing patient | Experimental | Procedure: 3D printingImmediate breast reconstruction using 3D printing personalized scaffold |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 60 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Breast cancer patients
- Tumor sized 3 cm to 6 cm
- ECOG score 1-2
- Multiple diffuse lesions in one quadrant
- Written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Triple negative breast cancer patients
- Participant in another clinical study
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Patients with nipple infringement
- Inflammatory breast carcinoma
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printingScope of tumor resection was simulated according to the MR imaging data. After meticulous design, we created the personalized porous biodegradable scaffold and printed by 3D printer, using porous PCL biomaterials. During operation, the biodegradable scaffold was implanted into the defective cavity after tumor resection. | Procedure or surgery | 3D printing patient |
Primary outcome
adverse events
Time frame: 1 year after surgery
Such adverse events include (but are not limited to) infection, repeated removal of implanted bio-scaffold, the humoral immunological responses.
4 secondary outcomes
Cosmetic outcome
Time frame: 6 months after surgery
Satisfaction of patients
Time frame: 6 months after surgery
Recurrence rate
Time frame: 5 year after surgery
5-Year disease free survival
Time frame: 5 year after surgery
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Aug 2025.
- Background: PubMed 28106524The utility of 3D printing for surgical planning and patient-specific implant design for complex spinal pathologies: case report. J Neurosurg Spine. 2017 Apr;26(4):513-518. doi: 10.3171/2016.9.SPINE16371. Epub 2017 Jan 20.
- Results publication: PubMed 25866560Chia HN, Wu BM. Recent advances in 3D printing of biomaterials. J Biol Eng. 2015 Mar 1;9:4. doi: 10.1186/s13036-015-0001-4. eCollection 2015.
- Results publication: PubMed 26301132Ibrahim AM, Jose RR, Rabie AN, Gerstle TL, Lee BT, Lin SJ. Three-dimensional Printing in Developing Countries. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2015 Aug 10;3(7):e443. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000000298. eCollection 2015 Jul.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 1 study testing 3D printing in people with Breast Reconstruction and Breast Cancer, run by Xijing Hospital at 1 site in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Aug 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
adverse events (time frame: 1 year after surgery). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03348293, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Aug 2025.