Perfusion MRI for Kidney Cancer

Overseen By Clinical Trials Office

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Disqualifiers: Severe disease, Renal impairment, Pregnancy, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how advanced MRI techniques, including Perfusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging, can aid in diagnosing and monitoring kidney tumors. The goal is to determine if these imaging methods can better predict and track treatment effectiveness for kidney cancer patients. It targets individuals with kidney tumors at least 1 cm in size, whether confined to the kidney or metastatic (spread to areas like the liver or brain, but not the lungs). Participants must be able to undergo MRI scans with contrast dye. This study could assist doctors in making more informed decisions about kidney cancer treatments. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research that could enhance future diagnostic techniques for kidney cancer.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial team or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that perfusion MRI is safe for diagnosing kidney tumors?

Research shows that the MRI techniques studied in this trial have been used safely in the past. Arterial Spin Labeling MRI is noninvasive, meaning it doesn't involve surgery or injections. Many studies have used it to measure blood flow in organs without major safety concerns.

Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI and Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast-Enhanced MRI use a contrast agent, a special dye that clarifies images. Studies using these techniques for kidney imaging found them to be generally well-tolerated. Most patients do not experience serious side effects, though some might feel mild discomfort or have a rare allergic reaction to the dye.

Overall, research suggests these MRI techniques are safe for diagnosing and monitoring kidney tumors. However, discussing any concerns with a healthcare provider before joining a study is always important. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the use of perfusion MRI techniques for kidney cancer because these imaging methods can provide a detailed picture of blood flow in tumors without invasive procedures. Unlike standard imaging options like CT scans and traditional MRI, perfusion MRI techniques, including Arterial Spin Labeling and Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI, offer a non-invasive way to assess how aggressive a tumor might be and how well it's responding to treatment. This could lead to more personalized treatment plans and potentially improve outcomes by catching changes in tumor behavior earlier. Additionally, these advanced imaging techniques have the potential to reduce the need for repeated biopsies, making the process easier and safer for patients.

What evidence suggests that perfusion MRI is effective for diagnosing kidney tumors?

This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of different MRI techniques for diagnosing kidney tumors. Research has shown that certain MRI techniques, such as arterial spin labeling (ASL) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI, hold promise for diagnosing kidney tumors. ASL MRI enhances diagnostic accuracy and aids in predicting treatment response. DCE MRI excels at examining kidney tumors by highlighting their blood flow, which is significant due to the high vascularity of these tumors. Studies have found that these imaging methods can help determine the type and severity of kidney cancer, which is crucial for planning treatment. Overall, these MRI techniques offer valuable insights into how kidney tumors behave and respond to treatments. Participants in this trial will undergo these MRI techniques to assess their effectiveness in providing diagnostic information. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

David Foran, PhD

Principal Investigator

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with kidney tumors at least 1 cm in size, which can be non-metastatic or metastatic. Participants must understand and sign a consent form. Women of childbearing age need a negative pregnancy test. Those with severe diseases, poor kidney function (eGFR < 45), pregnant or breastfeeding women, and individuals unable to undergo MRI due to claustrophobia or metal implants are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

My kidney tumor is at least 1 cm big and hasn't spread, based on scans.

I have kidney cancer that has spread, but not to my lungs.

Patients must be able to read, understand, and voluntarily sign an informed consent document

Exclusion Criteria

You have a known allergy to the contrast agent used for intravenous imaging.

I am not pregnant or breastfeeding.

Severe concurrent disease, infection, or medical co-morbidity that, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for enrollment

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Diagnostic Imaging

Participants undergo dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE), dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC), or arterial spin labeled (ASL) perfusion MRI within 30 days of biopsy or surgery

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up Imaging

Participants with organ confined tumors selected for active surveillance or surgery and patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma undergo follow up pMRI

1-6 months

1-2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

48 hours

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Arterial Spin Labeling Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Perfusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Trial Overview The study tests perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques like Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast-Enhanced MRI and Arterial Spin Labeling MRI to diagnose kidney tumors and monitor treatment response. It's designed for patients who may have localized or spread cancer.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Diagnostic (pMRI) Experimental Treatment 4 Interventions

Patients undergo DCE, DSC, or ASL pMRI within 30 days of biopsy or surgery. Patients with organ confined tumors selected for active surveillance or surgery and patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma undergo follow up pMRI at 1-6 months.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Lead Sponsor

Trials

471

Recruited

81,700+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Collaborator

Trials

72

Recruited

22,200+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7850237/

Arterial Spin Labeled Perfusion MRI for the Evaluation of ... Arterial spin labeled perfusion MRI may assist in identifying responders to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase ...

2. eurradiolexp.springeropen.com eurradiolexp.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41747-024-00537-y

Exploring the value of arterial spin labeling and six diffusion ... We found a significant improvement in the diagnostic accuracy and fitting performance compared to using ASL and diffusion models alone in ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11621297/

Exploring the value of arterial spin labeling and six ... We found a significant improvement in the diagnostic accuracy and fitting performance compared to using ASL and diffusion models alone in ...

4. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2021.644975/full

Arterial Spin Labeling MRI for Predicting Microvascular ... This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the performance of arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI for predicting MVI of T1 staging ccRCC preoperatively.

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1076633215004225

Volumetric Arterial Spin-labeled Perfusion Imaging of the ... Renal perfusion measurements using noninvasive arterial spin-labeled (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging techniques are gaining interest.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8168533/

Arterial Spin Labeling MRI for Predicting Microvascular ... This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the performance of arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI for predicting MVI of T1 staging ccRCC preoperatively.

7. pubs.rsna.org pubs.rsna.org/doi/full/10.1148/radiol.2020201763

Arterial Spin Labeled Perfusion MRI for the Evaluation of ... Arterial spin labeled perfusion MRI may assist in identifying responders to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

8. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00953446

Arterial Spin Labeling Blood Flow Magnetic Resonance ... The purpose of this study is to assess magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a tool to track tumor growth for renal cell carcinoma while participants are on ...

9. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780323952095000131

Perfusion MRI in the kidneys: Arterial spin labeling Renal perfusion can be measured noninvasively using arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI. Application of this technique in the kidney is described in this chapter.

10. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4839924/

Reproducibility of Kidney Perfusion Measurements With ... Magnetic resonance imaging with arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a noninvasive approach to measure organ perfusion. The purpose of this study ...