SABR for Kidney Cancer

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Andrew McPartlin, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University Health Network, Toronto

Must not be taking: Endocrine therapy

Disqualifiers: Active metastases, Prior radiotherapy, End stage renal failure, Familial syndrome, others

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

Approved in 4 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 1 week

45 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a new treatment option for kidney cancer using Stereotactic Ablative Radiosurgery (SABR). SABR is a non-invasive technique that targets kidney tumors with high doses of radiation while sparing nearby healthy organs. It is intended for patients with kidney tumors that cannot be removed surgically or who choose not to undergo surgery. Suitable participants have kidney masses treatable with SABR and have been diagnosed with renal cancer through tests. The trial aims to provide an alternative to surgery, particularly for those at high risk for surgical complications. As an unphased trial, it offers patients access to innovative treatment options that might not be available through standard care.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it does mention that systemic therapy (except hormone therapy) should not be taken within 6 days before starting the trial treatment.

What prior data suggests that SABR is safe for treating kidney cancer?

Research has shown that Stereotactic Ablative Radiosurgery (SABR) is generally safe for treating kidney cancer. In a study with many patients, SABR demonstrated good long-term safety for those with renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer. Most patients tolerated the treatment well, with few serious side effects reported over five years. This suggests that SABR could be a well-tolerated option for individuals with this type of cancer, especially for those unable to undergo surgery. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) for kidney cancer because it offers a precise, non-invasive alternative to traditional treatments like surgery or systemic therapies. Unlike conventional radiation, SABR delivers high doses of radiation with pinpoint accuracy, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This precision allows for fewer treatment sessions, making it a quicker and potentially less burdensome option for patients. Additionally, SABR's ability to target kidney tumors precisely could lead to better outcomes with fewer side effects, making it a promising advancement in kidney cancer care.

What evidence suggests that SABR is effective for kidney cancer?

Research has shown that Stereotactic Ablative Radiosurgery (SABR), which participants in this trial will receive, effectively treats kidney cancer, specifically renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Studies have found that SABR helps control the cancer for extended periods. In a large study of 724 patients, SABR reduced the risk of cancer recurrence. SABR is non-invasive, meaning it doesn't involve surgery, which benefits patients unable to undergo surgical procedures. Overall, this treatment appears safe and effective, offering hope for those seeking alternatives to surgery. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Andrew McPartlin, MD

Principal Investigator

The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for patients with a solid kidney mass suitable for SABR treatment, specifically those who have primary RCC or metastasis up to 6cm. It's aimed at people who are high-risk for surgery or have declined it, and can still perform daily activities (ECOG status 0-3). Those with multiple active metastases, recent systemic therapy, prior overlapping abdominal radiotherapy, end-stage renal failure, or certain genetic syndromes cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

My kidney tumor was confirmed by a biopsy or scan.

I am able to care for myself but may not be able to do heavy physical work.

I have a kidney tumor smaller than 6cm suitable for targeted radiation.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a genetic condition like Von Hippel-Lindau disease or Polycystic Kidney Disease.

I've had radiotherapy on my abdomen that affected my kidney with high doses.

My kidney function is severely reduced.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Stereotactic Ablative Radiosurgery (SABR) for renal tumors

1 week

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including quality of life assessments and standard of care imaging

2 years

Follow-ups every 4 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• SABR

Trial Overview The study is testing Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) as a non-surgical option for treating renal tumors. Patients will receive high-dose radiation targeting the tumor while sparing surrounding organs. They'll be monitored before and after treatment and every four months over two years to assess their quality of life and changes in the tumor through standard imaging.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Adult patients with Kidney mass (either primary or metastasis) amenable to SABR

SABR is already approved in European Union, United States, United Kingdom for the following indications:

Approved in European Union as SABR for:

• Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer
• Liver cancers
• Kidney cancers
• Bone metastasis
• Spinal metastasis
• Prostate cancers

Approved in United States as SABR for:

• Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer
• Liver cancers
• Kidney cancers
• Bone metastasis
• Spinal metastasis
• Prostate cancers

Approved in United Kingdom as SABR for:

• Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer
• Liver cancers
• Kidney cancers
• Bone metastasis
• Spinal metastasis
• Prostate cancers

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University Health Network, Toronto

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,555

Recruited

526,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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 radiotherapy (SABR) is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for primary renal cell carcinoma, showing high rates of local control (97.8%) and cancer-specific survival (95.7%) at 2 years among 223 patients studied across multiple institutions.

Patients receiving single-fraction SABR had better progression-free survival and cancer-specific survival compared to those receiving multifraction SABR, suggesting that single-fraction treatment may be more beneficial for certain patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pooled analysis of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for primary renal cell carcinoma: A report from the International Radiosurgery Oncology Consortium for Kidney (IROCK). Siva, S., Louie, AV., Warner, A., et al.[2022]

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in inoperable patients was found to be feasible and well tolerated, with 89% of patients completing the treatment without severe side effects.

At a median follow-up of 24 months, SABR demonstrated excellent cancer control with 100% freedom from local progression and a 92% overall survival rate, although there was a significant decrease in kidney function over time.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy for inoperable primary kidney cancer: a prospective clinical trial. Siva, S., Pham, D., Kron, T., et al.[2022]

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SAbR) is a promising non-invasive treatment for primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC), showing high local control rates and a favorable safety profile across multiple studies.

Emerging evidence suggests that SAbR may have immunomodulatory effects, leading to ongoing clinical investigations of its use in combination with other treatments for metastatic RCC.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for primary renal cell carcinoma. Yang, DX., Kwon, YS., Timmerman, R., et al.[2023]

In a study of 62 kidney cancer patients treated with stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR), eliminating respiratory motion significantly reduced the dose received by the healthy kidney, with a reduction of 12 cc of kidney volume receiving 50% of the prescription dose for each centimeter of tumor motion amplitude.

The study also found that removing respiratory motion improved estimated renal function, with a gain of 4.4% in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) for each centimeter of motion eliminated, indicating a potential benefit for kidney health during SABR treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reducing the impact on renal function of kidney SABR through management of respiratory motion. Gaudreault, M., Siva, S., Kron, T., et al.[2021]

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]

In a study assessing the effects of stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) on a patient with a solitary kidney, renal function declined significantly, showing a 34% decrease at 3 months and stabilizing at a 43% loss by 12 months after receiving a single dose of 26 Gy.

The research indicates a clear dose-effect relationship, where the extent of kidney function loss correlates with the radiation dose delivered, highlighting the need for careful consideration of SABR's impact on healthy renal tissue.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Short communication: timeline of radiation-induced kidney function loss after stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy of renal cell carcinoma as evaluated by serial (99m)Tc-DMSA SPECT/CT. Jackson, P., Foroudi, F., Pham, D., et al.[2022]

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) has shown a local control rate of over 90% in treating primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) across 589 cases, with low rates of severe toxicity (grade 3-4) ranging from 0-9%.

In patients with oligometastatic RCC, SABR can delay the need for systemic therapy for at least one year in 70-90% of cases, indicating its effectiveness as a treatment option and its compatibility with systemic therapies like targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Role of Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy in Renal Cell Carcinoma. Ali, M., Mooi, J., Lawrentschuk, N., et al.[2022]

The RAPPORT trial demonstrated that stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) combined with pembrolizumab is well tolerated in patients with oligometastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), with only 13% experiencing grade 3 treatment-related adverse events and no severe (grade 4 or 5) adverse events reported.

The treatment showed promising efficacy, with an overall response rate of 63%, a disease control rate of 83%, and a 2-year overall survival rate of 74%, indicating that this regimen could provide durable responses and effective local control in this patient population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stereotactic Radiotherapy and Short-course Pembrolizumab for Oligometastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma-The RAPPORT Trial. Siva, S., Bressel, M., Wood, ST., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40907772/

Efficacy of Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) ... SABR provides excellent oncologic outcomes, irrespective of ccRCC or nccRCC histology.

2. thelancet.com thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(22)00656-8/abstract

5-year outcomes after stereotactic ablative body ... SABR is effective and safe in the long term for patients with primary renal cell carcinoma. Single-fraction SABR might yield less local failure ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360301625061929

Efficacy of Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) ... While stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) is associated with excellent local control for primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC), outcomes ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10698523/

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for primary renal cell ... 5-year outcomes after stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy for primary renal cell carcinoma: an individual patient data meta-analysis ...

5. thegreenjournal.com thegreenjournal.com/article/S0167-8140(24)00138-5/fulltext

Dose-response of localized renal cell carcinoma after ... This comprehensive meta-analysis of 724 patients across 22 studies evaludated the impact of BED escalation in SBRT on outcomes in primary RCC.

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1470204524000202

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy for primary kidney ... S Siva et al. 5-year outcomes after stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy for primary renal cell carcinoma: an individual patient data ...

7. urotoday.com urotoday.com/conference-highlights/astro-2025/astro-2025-kidney-cancer/163517-astro-2025-ultra-hypofractionated-stereotactic-ablative-body-radiotherapy-sabr-for-primary-renal-cell-carcinoma-pooled-outcomes-from-the-fastrack-and-fastrack-ii-clinical-trials.html

ASTRO 2025: Ultra-Hypofractionated Stereotactic Ablative ... 5-year outcomes after stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy for primary renal cell carcinoma: an individual patient data meta-analysis from IROCK (the ...