Radiation Therapy for Metastatic Cancer

Recruiting at 6 trial locations

Overseen By Christopher Barker, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Must not be taking: Corticosteroids, Antineoplastics

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Uncontrolled infection, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 18

26 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines two types of radiation therapy to determine which better treats metastatic cancer. It compares lattice radiation therapy (LRT) with the standard method, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), and evaluates how these treatments affect the body's immune response against tumors. Candidates include individuals with advanced solid tumors, such as breast, lung, or bladder cancer, who require radiation and have at least one measurable tumor. As an unphased trial, this study provides an opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance future cancer treatments.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

You may need to stop taking certain medications. If you are on high doses of steroids, you must stop them during the study. Also, any cancer treatments should be paused for a few days before and after the radiation therapy.

What prior data suggests that these radiation therapy techniques are safe?

Previous studies have shown that lattice radiation therapy (LRT) is a promising and safe treatment option. Research indicates that LRT can be safely applied to large or deep tumors. For instance, it has been used successfully in palliative care to relieve symptoms for patients with large tumors, suggesting that serious side effects are uncommon with LRT.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is another method compared in this trial. Studies have demonstrated that SBRT is generally safe and well-tolerated for treating oligometastatic cancer, where cancer has spread to a few locations. Most patients experience only mild side effects, indicating it is usually gentle on the body.

Both treatments have been used safely in past studies, which bodes well for their safety in humans. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these treatments because they offer innovative approaches to targeting metastatic cancer. Lattice Radiation Therapy is unique because it delivers radiation in a grid-like pattern, which may enhance the immune response and spare healthy tissue compared to traditional methods. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), including its variations, allows for high precision targeting of tumors, potentially leading to fewer side effects and shorter treatment times. These techniques could make a significant difference for patients with metastatic solid tumors, offering hope for improved outcomes and quality of life.

What evidence suggests that these radiation therapy techniques could be effective for metastatic cancer?

This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of two radiation therapies for metastatic cancer. Research has shown that lattice radiation therapy (LRT), one of the treatments in this trial, can effectively control large tumors. Previous studies with various patients found that LRT is both effective and safe for treating large tumors, using a special method that targets different parts of the tumor in a unique pattern.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), another treatment option in this trial, is already known to be effective and safe for treating cancers that have spread to other parts of the body. Studies have shown that SBRT can improve disease outcomes and is well-tolerated by patients. Both LRT and SBRT offer promising options for managing metastatic cancer. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Atif Khan, MD

Principal Investigator

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with advanced solid tumors needing palliative radiation, who have at least one other site of metastasis suitable for radiation. They must be in good physical condition (ECOG 0 or 1) and understand the study's risks. It's not for those previously radiated at the same sites, with uncontrolled conditions like infections or diabetes, on steroids, pregnant/breastfeeding, having a second active cancer, or unable to follow study procedures.

Inclusion Criteria

I have an advanced cancer that needs radiation therapy for symptom relief.

I have cancer that has spread to at least one other part of my body outside the brain.

I am fully active or can carry out light work.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding

I understand the study's purpose and risks and can give informed consent.

I am willing and able to follow all study requirements.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Radiation

Participants receive lattice radiation therapy (LRT) or standard stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to treat metastatic solid tumors

6-8 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after radiation therapy, with a focus on immune cell infiltration and overall response rate

12 weeks

Standard-of-care response assessment CT or F-18-FDG PET/CT scan

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Lattice Radiation Therapy
• Stereotactic body radiotherapy
• Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

Trial Overview The trial compares two types of radiation therapy: Lattice Radiation Therapy (LRT) and standard Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). The goal is to see which method is more effective and how they influence immune cells' ability to attack tumor cells.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Participants with metastatic solid tumors Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants will have metastatic solid tumors and at least two sites of measurable extra-cranial disease

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,998

Recruited

602,000+

Varian Medical Systems

Industry Sponsor

Trials

63

Recruited

3,700+

Dow R. Wilson

Varian Medical Systems

Chief Executive Officer since 2012

MBA from Dartmouth's Amos Tuck School of Business, BA from Brigham Young University

Dr. Deepak Khuntia

Varian Medical Systems

Chief Medical Officer since 2020

MD from the University of Cambridge, PhD from the University of Leicester

Published Research Related to This Trial

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) is a feasible and well-tolerated treatment for patients with bone-only oligometastatic breast cancer, with 80% of patients successfully receiving treatment and no severe (grade 3 or 4) toxicities reported.

The treatment showed promising efficacy, with a 100% local progression-free survival (LPFS) and 67% distant progression-free survival (DPFS) at two years, suggesting that SABR could be a viable option for this patient group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for bone only oligometastatic breast cancer: A prospective clinical trial. David, S., Tan, J., Savas, P., et al.[2020]

High-dose stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for oligometastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) showed promising efficacy, with median progression-free survival (PFS) of 11.3 months and overall survival (OS) of 29.7 months in a study of 35 patients.

Early intervention with SABR, particularly before the failure of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), was associated with significant survival benefits, suggesting that timely treatment may enhance outcomes for patients with oligometastatic RCC.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Outcomes of High-Dose Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy to All/Multiple Sites for Oligometastatic Renal Cell Cancer Patients. Ma, MW., Li, HZ., Gao, XS., et al.[2023]

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a preferred treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who cannot undergo surgery, but accurate lymph node staging is crucial for optimal patient selection.

Current staging methods like PET/CT and EBUS have limited sensitivity in detecting lymph node metastases, which can lead to undetected cancer spread and poorer outcomes; thus, invasive staging procedures are often necessary to improve detection and potentially enhance survival with adjuvant therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Undetected lymph node metastases in presumed early stage NSCLC SABR patients. Cerra-Franco, A., Diab, K., Lautenschlaeger, T.[2017]

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) is now the standard treatment for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients who cannot undergo surgery, highlighting its efficacy in this patient population.

The review also discusses the safety profile of SABR, including reported toxicity rates, and explores its potential use in combination with other therapies for improved outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A systematic review of outcomes following stereotactic ablative radiotherapy in the treatment of early-stage primary lung cancer. Murray, P., Franks, K., Hanna, GG.[2022]

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is an effective treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) that are medically inoperable, providing local control and toxicity levels comparable to surgical resection.

SABR is gaining interest as a noninvasive treatment option for patients with borderline resectable lung cancers, although further randomized studies are needed to evaluate its survival benefits in operable patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for non-small cell lung cancer. Iyengar, P., Westover, K., Timmerman, RD.[2013]

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) has rapidly expanded in clinical use for treating various primary and metastatic tumors, demonstrating promising results in tumor control.

Despite its effectiveness, SABR can lead to serious complications, highlighting the need for strategies to reduce these risks and improve the safety of the treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Serious complications associated with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy and strategies to mitigate the risk. Lo, SS., Sahgal, A., Chang, EL., et al.[2018]

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) has been shown to be an effective long-term treatment for primary renal cell carcinoma, with a low local failure rate of 5.5% at 5 years among 190 patients studied across multiple countries.

The study found that single-fraction SABR resulted in fewer local failures compared to multifraction SABR, and importantly, there were no severe treatment-related side effects or deaths, indicating a favorable safety profile.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

5-year outcomes after stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy for primary renal cell carcinoma: an individual patient data meta-analysis from IROCK (the International Radiosurgery Consortium of the Kidney). Siva, S., Ali, M., Correa, RJM., et al.[2023]

Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) was found to be effective for treating pulmonary metastases, with a median follow-up of 23 months showing improved overall survival (OS) for patients with 3 or fewer metastases compared to those with more (74.2% vs. 59.3% at 24 months).

Patients with less responsive primary tumors (like adrenal or pancreatic cancers) had higher local failure rates, suggesting that higher doses of SABR or surgical options may be necessary for these cases to improve treatment outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy for pulmonary metastases: Improving overall survival and identifying subgroups at high risk of local failure. Pasalic, D., Lu, Y., Betancourt-Cuellar, SL., et al.[2021]

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) is a significant advancement in radiotherapy that has been shown to improve tumor control and overall survival in patients with lung tumors.

The review highlights the current evidence supporting the efficacy of SABR for both primary and secondary lung tumors, along with ongoing trials that may further validate its benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for primary and secondary lung tumours. Goldsmith, C., Gaya, A.[2022]

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) demonstrated a high efficacy in treating inoperable liver tumors, with 72.7% of patients showing partial regression and 27.3% achieving complete remission three months post-treatment.

The treatment was well-tolerated, with no severe toxicity (grade 2 or higher) reported, and resulted in one- and two-year overall survival rates of 85.4% and 68.8%, respectively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Image-guided stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for the liver: a safe and effective treatment. Van De Voorde, L., Vanneste, B., Houben, R., et al.[2015]

The iSABR trial demonstrated that individualized stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for lung tumors resulted in high local control rates, with freedom from local recurrence at 1 year ranging from 94% to 97% across different patient groups.

The trial showed a low incidence of severe toxic effects (only 5%), indicating that personalized dosing strategies can minimize risks while maintaining effective treatment outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Individualized Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy for Lung Tumors: The iSABR Phase 2 Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. Gensheimer, MF., Gee, H., Shirato, H., et al.[2023]

Citations

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Lattice Radiation Therapy in clinical practice: A systematic ... Lattice radiation therapy (LRT) is an innovative type of spatially fractionated radiation therapy. It aims to increase large tumors control probability.

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05837767

A Study of Radiation Therapy to Treat Solid Tumor Cancer ... The purpose of this study is to find out whether lattice radiation therapy (LRT) is an effective radiation therapy technique when compared to standard ...

3. cancer.gov cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/NCI-2023-06276

Lattice Radiation Therapy to Treat Solid Tumor ... LRT may be as effective as SBRT in treating patients with solid tumors metastatic to soft tissue. This trial may also help researchers learn how the different ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452109420303699

Spatially fractionated stereotactic body radiation therapy ... Herein, we report the results of a dosimetry and quality assurance feasibility study of Lattice SBRT in 11 patients with 12 tumor targets, each ≥10 cm in an ...

5. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2072-6694/17/17/2752

Diagnosis-Related Outcome Following Palliative Spatially ... Our formerly published clinical outcome data demonstrated the effectiveness and favorable safety of LRT in a heterogeneous cohort of 45 patients with 56 large ( ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12427535/

Diagnosis-Related Outcome Following Palliative Spatially ... Lattice Radiation Therapy (LRT), a spatially fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) technique, has shown promising results in the palliative ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666621925000237

Effectiveness and safety of 3D lattice radiation therapy in ... This case underscores the potential of LRT as a safe and effective palliative treatment modality for bulky, unresectable sarcomas, offering symptom relief and ...