Accuracy of Sono-mammographic Features in Molecular Classification of Breast Cancer

January 15, 2026 updated by: Mai Abdelbaset Ahmed Elshahir Attia Taha, Assiut University

Imaging-Pathologic Correlation of Breast Cancer: Mammographic and Sonographic Features in Relation to Molecular Classification

This study aims to evaluate the role of mammographic and sonographic features as non-invasive imaging tools in predicting the molecular subtypes of breast cancer, in correlation with histopathological findings.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Breast Cancer

Intervention / Treatment

Other: Diagnostic test: Ultrasound and Mammogram

Detailed Description

Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer among women. In the Middle East, it is the primary reason for cancer-related deaths among women

Breast cancer has been classified into various histopathological and molecular subtypes based on its hormone receptor status. Their biological behaviour and prognosis depend on these hormonal subtypes.

Based on gene expression patterns, breast cancer has been classified into five different molecular subtypes by the St. Gallen International Expert Consensus. They include:

Luminal A (LA).
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) enriched.
Luminal B (LB) [LB HER2-, LB HER2+].
Basal-like (triple-negative). The detection of these hormone receptors requires immunohistochemistry (IHC), which is an invasive, expensive method and may not be available in all centres, especially in less developed countries

Hence, it is important to establish imaging signatures that can play an adjunct role in predicting these subtypes and assist in pre-treatment planning (4)

Mammography (MG) and Ultrasound (US) are routinely used during breast cancer screening, and are commonly used to identify and characterise breast lesions and guide biopsy. Unlike breast MRI, these two modalities are virtually always and everywhere available at the time of cancer diagnosis. In this work, the investigators thus investigate the feasibility of predicting molecular subtypes of breast cancer from the combination of Mammography and Ultrasound.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

122

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Name: Mai Abdelbaset Ahmed
Phone Number: +201094657457
Email: Mai.17289680@med.aun.edu.eg

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

Adult
Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of 122 women aged 18 years and older with suspected breast lesions referred for diagnostic breast ultrasound and mammography with histopathological confirmation.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

-The patients having BI-RADS IV, V, VI proven breast cancer.

Exclusion Criteria:

-Patients with post-neoadjuvant therapy and a prior history of breast cancer in the same breast with recurrence.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Diagnostic performance of imaging features (Mammogram ,ultrasound ,and combined) for predicting molecular subtypes (Luminal A/B, HER2-enriched, TNBC) Time Frame: from imaging to histopathological confirmation (up to 2 weeks)	The investigators will use mammographic and songraphic features encompassing morphology, margins, posterior echo, blood flow grading, and the presence or absence of calcification ,predict molecular subtypes, then compare it to the hispathological results.	from imaging to histopathological confirmation (up to 2 weeks)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
-AUC, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV/NPV for each subtype. -Agreement between imaging-based classification and reference standard (histopathology + IHC): -Cohen's kappa (overall and per subtype). Time Frame: From imaging to histopathological and immunohistochemical confirmation (up to 2 weeks).	From imaging to histopathological and immunohistochemical confirmation (up to 2 weeks).

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Assiut University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Shaikh S, Rasheed A. Predicting Molecular Subtypes of Breast Cancer with Mammography and Ultrasound Findings: Introduction of Sono-Mammometry Score. Radiol Res Pract. 2021 Feb 9;2021:6691958. doi: 10.1155/2021/6691958. eCollection 2021.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

January 20, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

January 1, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 9, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 15, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

January 21, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)