Dallas researchers seeking patients for breast cancer treatment clinical trial

Early results show promise for women with early-stage, operable, hormone-positive breast cancer.

A clinical trial going on now at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas could lead to a new treatment option for some breast cancer patients.

And more women are needed as the trial proceeds.

Radiation oncologist Asal Rahimi leads the team of researchers studying a new strategy for treating women with early-stage, operable, hormone-positive breast cancer. They’re in Phase II after the initial study showed progress.

The findings, published in JAMA Network Open in November 2025, could shift the paradigm for patients with the most common form of breast cancer, who typically undergo surgery before a regimen of radiation therapy.

“It's a one dose of treatment, one dose of radiation. And it's a high dose, but to a very small, pinpointed area. And what we did was we delayed surgery in those patients up to one year,” Rahimi said.

Rahimi said in 72% of patients, the tumors were completely gone. In another 21% the cancer was more than 90 percent eliminated.

“Really phenomenal because I think that opens up the door for many opportunities and for many different options for patients,” Rahimi told NBC 5.

“So far, knock on wood, one single dose of radiation and the sonogram showed no sign of the tumor,” said Argyle resident Pam Minick.

The trailblazing cowgirl and 2026 Miss Rodeo America Hall of Fame inductee got that single dose of radiation after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2025.

Months later, in April of 2026, Minick told NBC 5 she felt great and wanted to share her experience, hoping to make a difference.

At the time, Minick also anticipated she’d undergo a lumpectomy.

She had the procedure to remove a small rim of healthy breast tissue three weeks ago to make sure the cancer was gone.

Minick shared the results with NBC 5, saying, “All the biopsy tissue was negative for cancer. Way to close out breast cancer awareness month.”

The research team is currently enrolling patients in a phase two clinical trial called RAPS that is funded through a grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).

Call 833-722-6237 to learn more about the study on precision radiation and breast cancer care.