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Breast CancerATHENA INCT07292246

A Prospective CohorT Study of HandX - Assisted ENdoscopic MAstectomy: Feasibility and Safety (ATHENA I Study)

A study testing Endoscopic nipple sparing mastectomy and HandX endoscopic instrument in people with Breast Cancer and BRCA 1 Gene Mutation, run by Vasileios Kalles at 1 site in Greece.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This study aims to learn whether a handheld robotic device, called the HandX, can help surgeons safely perform a minimally invasive nipple-sparing mastectomy. This type of mastectomy uses a small incision at the side of the breast to remove breast tissue while keeping the skin and nipple in place. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older, women only
What is being tested?
Endoscopic nipple sparing mastectomy and HandX endoscopic instrument
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
15 participants
Where
1 siteGreece
Study dates
9 Sep 2025to Oct 2029
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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 years and older
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Female sex
  • Age ≥ 18 years old
  • Indication for therapeutic or prophylactic (risk-reducing) mastectomy for:
  • early invasive breast cancer (Clinical Stage I-II at diagnosis) undergoing primary surgery
  • early invasive breast cancer (Clinical Stage I-II at diagnosis) undergoing surgery post systemic (neoadjuvant) therapy with clinical evidence of partial or complete response
  • ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or
Show all 11Show fewer
  • BRCA or other breast cancer - related genetic mutation carriers, or
  • high risk for development of breast cancer.
  • Breast volume: cup sizes A to C as defined by underwear size, expected implant volume <550cc and glandular ptosis not exceeding Grade I Regnault's classification.
  • ECOG / WHO Performance Status <2
  • Subject with signed and dated informed consent form

Who cannot join

  • Chest wall or skin invasion
  • Extended lymph node involvement at diagnosis (cN2)
  • Inflammatory breast cancer
  • Tumor distance from nipple - areola complex <1cm on imaging studies
  • Active smoking/nicotine use within 4 weeks pre-op (combustible tobacco, vaping, nicotine pouches, NRT)
  • BMI >35
Show all 10Show fewer
  • High risk patients with severe and poorly controlled co-morbid conditions (including but not limited to diabetes, heart disease, renal failure or liver dysfunction)
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Psychiatric, addictive, or any disorders which compromise the ability to give informed consent for participation in this study
  • Subject without signed and dated informed consent form

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Vasileios Kalles, MD, MSc, PhD, FEBS contact

00306973746477

vassilis_kalles@yahoo.gr

Greece1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Mediterraneo Hospital

    Glyfada, Attica, 16675

    Vasileios Kalles, MD, MSc, PhD, FEBS, 00306973746477, vassilis_kalles@yahoo.gr

    Ioannis Papapanagiotou, MD, MSc, PhD

    Recruiting

Other trials in Greece

About this study

This study aims to learn whether a handheld robotic device, called the HandX, can help surgeons safely perform a minimally invasive nipple-sparing mastectomy. This type of mastectomy uses a small incision at the side of the breast to remove breast tissue while keeping the skin and nipple in place. The goal is to lower scarring, improve comfort, and support good cosmetic results after surgery.

Participants in this study will already be planning to have a therapeutic or preventive mastectomy with immediate implant-based reconstruction. All surgeries are done at Mediterraneo Hospital in Greece.

Read more

During the operation, surgeons use the HandX device to assist with the endoscopic dissection. Researchers will collect information about how long the surgery takes, whether the planned approach can be completed without switching to open surgery, and whether any surgical complications occur. They will also check healing, infection, and implant-related problems for up to 365 days after surgery. Participants will complete the BREAST-Q questionnaire before surgery and at several times after surgery to share their views on comfort, well-being, and cosmetic outcomes.

About 15 participants will take part. The results will help researchers understand whether this approach is practical and safe, and whether it should be studied further in a larger trial.

Read the detailed description

This is a prospective, single-center, single-arm interventional study designed to evaluate the feasibility and surgical safety of HandX-assisted endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate implant-based breast reconstruction. The HandX system is a handheld articulating robotic instrument that provides wrist-like motion, motion scaling, and ergonomic control. Unlike console-based robotic platforms, HandX integrates into standard minimally invasive workflows without the need for a large footprint, dedicated console, or complex docking procedures. Early clinical experience in other surgical specialties suggests that the technology may improve access and ergonomics during dissection while maintaining procedural efficiency. This study investigates its use specifically in endoscopic breast surgery, where instrument articulation and visualization are key technical challenges.

All participants will undergo the mastectomy through a single lateral mammary fold incision. Following tumescent injection and creation of a working space, a single-port device is placed, and CO₂ insufflation is used to establish the operative cavity. The HandX device is then employed for endoscopic dissection of the breast gland from the skin envelope and the nipple-areola complex. Specimen retrieval is performed through the same incision. Reconstruction is completed using implant-based techniques (prepectoral, dual-plane, PU-coated, or subpectoral), according to preoperative planning and standard practice. Axillary procedures (sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection) may be performed through the same incision when indicated.

The study focuses on technical feasibility-specifically, the ability to complete the endoscopic mastectomy using the HandX platform without unplanned conversion to an open approach. Technical success is defined in the protocol and includes completion of all key steps of the planned minimally invasive procedure. Adjunct use of standard laparoscopic instruments or minor incision extensions for specimen handling does not constitute conversion, provided that the minimally invasive workflow is preserved.

Safety outcomes include intraoperative complications, 30-day and 90-day postoperative adverse events, surgical site infections assessed according to CDC/NHSN definitions, implant-related complications, and implant loss through one year. Postoperative care follows standardized pathways for implant-based reconstruction, including consistent antibiotic and VTE prophylaxis policies and predefined criteria for drain management. Participants are reviewed at scheduled visits through postoperative day 28, with additional follow-up through day 90 for infection surveillance, and through one year for implant-related outcomes.

Patient-reported outcomes are assessed using the BREAST-Q® Reconstruction Module (Version 2.0), administered preoperatively and at postoperative months 1, 6, and 12. These measures provide data on satisfaction with breasts, psychosocial and sexual well-being, physical well-being of the chest, and satisfaction with aspects of care. Only implant-reconstruction-relevant scales are used.

All data are collected in electronic case report forms, stored securely, and managed in compliance with GDPR and institutional policies. Monitoring is internal due to the single-center pilot nature of the study.

The study plans to accrue up to 20 mastectomy cases, corresponding to approximately 15 participants, as bilateral procedures are counted per breast. The sample size of 20 cases is consistent with recommendations for feasibility studies intended to inform future multicenter comparative trials. Analyses are descriptive. Technical success, complication rates, and patient-reported outcomes will be summarized with confidence intervals. Progression criteria and stopping rules are predefined in the protocol, including thresholds for major complications, device-related serious events, and oncologic or surgical concerns that may warrant pause or termination of the study.

Findings from this pilot study will inform the development of larger controlled trials evaluating the comparative effectiveness, aesthetic outcomes, recovery profiles, and cost implications of HandX-assisted endoscopic mastectomy relative to other surgical approaches.

Being tested
Endoscopic nipple sparing mastectomy, HandX endoscopic instrument
Keywords
breast cancer, mastectomy, endoscopic, robotic, handx, nipple-sparing mastectomy
Medical subject headings
Breast Neoplasms, Breast Cancer, Familial, Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Endoscopic nipple sparing mastectomyProcedure or surgery

    A minimally invasive nipple-sparing mastectomy performed through a single lateral mammary fold incision using endoscopic visualization and CO₂ insufflation. Breast tissue is dissected from the skin envelope and nipple-areola complex, and immediate implant-based reconstruction is performed according to standard practice. The HandX device is used for articulating endoscopic dissection.

  • HandX endoscopic instrumentDevice

    A handheld articulating endoscopic instrument used to assist with endoscopic dissection during nipple-sparing mastectomy. The HandX device provides wrist-like articulation, motion scaling, and ergonomic control during minimally invasive surgery.

Study groups in NCT07292246
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
HandX-assisted endoscopic nipple sparing mastectomyExperimentalPatient cohort undergoing endoscopic nipple sparing mastectomy with use of HandX.
Receives: Procedure: Endoscopic nipple sparing mastectomy; Device: HandX endoscopic instrument

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Technical success

    Completion of the planned procedure via the minimally invasive approach without unplanned conversion.

    Measured: Intraoperative (Day 0)

  2. Surgical Safety

    Major (Clavien-Dindo ≥III) complications

    Measured: Postoperative Day 0-30

Secondary outcomes (10)
  1. Operative Time

    Total Operative Time

    Measured: Intraoperative (Day 0)

  2. Blood Loss

    Intraoperative Blood Loss

    Measured: Intraoperative (Day 0)

  3. Length of Stay

    Length of hospital stay in days

    Measured: From hospitalization to discharge (average 1-3 days)

  4. Complications

    30-day complication rate (Clavien-Dindo)

    Measured: Within 30 days after surgery

  5. Skin flap necrosis

    The presence of skin flap necrosis will be noted during all the visits after the surgery (POD 7, 14, 28).

    Measured: Within 30 days after surgery

  6. Nipple Areola Complex ischemia

    Nipple-Areola-Complex (NAC) Ischemia noted during all the visits after the surgery (POD 7, 14, 28)

    Measured: Within 30 days after surgery

  7. Surgical Site Infection

    Number of participants with SSI (CDC/NHSN). Superficial incisional primary (SIP) within 30 days; deep incisional primary (DIP) and organ/space (O/S) within 90 days after the index BRST procedure.

    Measured: Within 90 days after surgery

  8. Implant loss

    Need to remove the implant for any reason

    Measured: Within 1 year after surgery

  9. Short - term Oncologic Adequacy

    Negative surgical margins on final pathology-retroareolar (nipple) margin negative and no tumor on ink on any sampled skin-flap or deep margin

    Measured: Within 40 days after surgery

  10. PROMs - Aesthetic Outcome

    BREAST-Q© questionnaire Version 2.0 measure the quality of life and satisfaction among patients undergoing breast surgery - Reconstruction module pre and postoperative, higher scores reflect a better outcome.

    Measured: Preoperatively up to 4 weeks, 1 month postoperatively, 6 months postoperatively, 12 months postoperatively

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted18 Dec 2025
  2. Study start9 Sep 2025
  3. Primary completionOct 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completionOct 2029 (estimated)

Resources

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 N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
15 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07292246
Sponsor's protocol ID
516
Acronym
ATHENA I
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
25 Nov 2025
Last updated
18 Dec 2025
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: "Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared. This study is a small single-center feasibility trial, and the dataset contains clinical and surgical details that cannot be fully de-identified under GDPR. Summary results will be made available in the ClinicalTrials.gov record after study completion.

Publications

  • Toesca A, Peradze N, Galimberti V, Manconi A, Intra M, Gentilini O, Sances D, Negri D, Veronesi G, Rietjens M, Zurrida S, Luini A, Veronesi U, Veronesi P. Robotic Nipple-sparing Mastectomy and Immediate Breast Reconstruction With Implant: First Report of Surgical Technique. Ann Surg. 2017 Aug;266(2):e28-e30. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000001397. No abstract available.

    PubMed 28692558
  • Jain Y, Lanjewar R, Shinde RK. Revolutionising Breast Surgery: A Comprehensive Review of Robotic Innovations in Breast Surgery and Reconstruction. Cureus. 2024 Jan 21;16(1):e52695. doi: 10.7759/cureus.52695. eCollection 2024 Jan.

    PubMed 38384645
  • Toesca A, Peradze N, Manconi A, Galimberti V, Intra M, Colleoni M, Bonanni B, Curigliano G, Rietjens M, Viale G, Sacchini V, Veronesi P. Robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy for the treatment of breast cancer: Feasibility and safety study. Breast. 2017 Feb;31:51-56. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2016.10.009. Epub 2016 Nov 2.

    PubMed 27810700
  • Khan MF, Kearns E, Cahill RA. Clinical Experience of a Smart Articulating Digital Device for Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery. Dis Colon Rectum. 2023 Dec 1;66(12):e1265-e1268. doi: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000002987. Epub 2023 Sep 25.

    PubMed 37787571
  • Mao R, Gao L, Gang W, Wen L. Literature Review of Handheld Articulating Instruments in Minimally Invasive Surgery. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 2024 Jan;34(1):47-54. doi: 10.1089/lap.2023.0366. Epub 2023 Oct 23.

    PubMed 37870762
  • Cao L, Shenk R, Miller ME, Towe C. Minimally Invasive Mastectomy Could Achieve Non-inferior Oncological Outcome in Appropriately Selected Patients: Propensity Matched Analysis of the National Cancer Database. Am Surg. 2022 Dec;88(12):2893-2898. doi: 10.1177/00031348211011152. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

    PubMed 33861667
  • Mok CW, Lai HW. Evolution of minimal access breast surgery. Gland Surg. 2019 Dec;8(6):784-793. doi: 10.21037/gs.2019.11.16.

    PubMed 32042687

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Endoscopic nipple sparing mastectomy and HandX endoscopic instrument in people with Breast Cancer and BRCA 1 Gene Mutation, run by Vasileios Kalles at 1 site in Greece.

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 11 inclusion and 10 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Dec 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 Greece. 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.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Vasileios Kalles, MD, MSc, PhD, FEBS (00306973746477, vassilis_kalles@yahoo.gr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Technical success (time frame: Intraoperative (Day 0)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT07292246, which also lists 7 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 18 Dec 2025.

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