Radiation Therapy for Cancer
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to gather detailed information from patients with metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread from its original site) who receive radiation therapy as part of their regular treatment. The goal is to link clinical data with patient-reported outcomes, creating a valuable resource for future studies on the effects of radiation therapy on metastatic cancer. Individuals diagnosed with metastatic cancer and receiving radiation therapy might be suitable candidates for this trial. As a Phase 2 trial, this research measures the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group, offering participants the chance to contribute to important findings.
Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.
What prior data suggests that this radiation therapy is safe for metastatic cancer patients?
Research has shown that palliative radiation therapy is usually well-tolerated by patients with metastatic cancer. In one study, 83% of patients responded well to the treatment, while only about 3.2% experienced serious side effects. Another study found that adding immunotherapy to palliative radiation did not increase side effects. Overall, palliative radiation therapy is known for safely easing symptoms in patients with advanced cancer.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about palliative radiation therapy for metastatic cancer because it offers a targeted approach to alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life for patients. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which affects the entire body, palliative radiation specifically targets cancerous areas, potentially leading to fewer side effects and a quicker relief of symptoms. Additionally, radiation therapy can be tailored in terms of dosage and timing to best suit individual patient needs, providing a personalized treatment experience. This precision and focus on patient comfort make it a promising option in the management of metastatic cancer.
What evidence suggests that radiation therapy is effective for metastatic cancer?
Research has shown that palliative radiation therapy, which participants in this trial will receive, helps manage symptoms of advanced cancer. This therapy often eases pain from cancer that has spread to the bones and addresses other tumor-related symptoms. Studies indicate that 78–85% of patients experience pain relief with this treatment. Specifically, one study found that among patients receiving this therapy, 93.2% lived for at least one year, 71.5% lived for at least three years, and 46.9% lived for at least five years. These results suggest that palliative radiation can greatly improve quality of life by reducing cancer-related discomfort.678910
Who Is on the Research Team?
Shivani Sud, MD
Principal Investigator
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Radiation Therapy
Participants with metastatic cancer receive palliative radiation therapy as part of their standard of care treatment
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after radiation therapy, with patient-reported outcomes collected at various time points
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Radiation Therapy
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Subjects who are with metastatic cancer receive palliative radiation therapy.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Palliative Radiotherapy for the Management of Metastatic ...
Palliative RT can be used to manage bone and brain metastases, prevent or treat spinal cord compression, and manage numerous tumor-related symptoms, such as ...
Prognostication for Patients Receiving Palliative Radiation ...
Predictions were made according to number of risk factors; patients with 0-1, 2-4, and 5-6 risk factors had median survival 19.9 months, 5 months, and 1.7 ...
Early death after palliative radiation treatment: 30-, 35- and 40 ...
The authors found that 16% of patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative radiotherapy died within 30 days of treatment.
Survival analysis of palliative radiotherapy in patients with ...
Additionally, the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates in the RT group were 93.2%, 71.5%, and 46.9%, respectively, compared to the non-RT group's rates of ...
Patterns of care and survival outcomes of palliative radiation ...
External radiation remains the standard of care for the palliative treatment of painful bone metastases and has an overall response rate of ranging from 78–85% ...
Palliative Radiotherapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer ...
This retrospective study evaluates the safety of combining CDK4/6 inhibitors with palliative radiotherapy in metastatic hormone receptor-positive, HER2- ...
Efficacy and safety analysis in metastatic cancer patients ...
Response to radiotherapy was observed in 548 (83.0 %) cases and CTCAE toxicity grade > 3 was observed in 21 (3.2 %) cases. •. An increasing number of RT courses ...
Prospective Study of Patients Treated with Palliative ...
Palliative RT appears safe in patients receiving immunotherapy with no apparent increase in toxicity because of the combination. Responses out of irradiated ...
The Hidden Benefits of Palliative Radiation Therapy
These results show the powerful impact SABR therapy may have in altering the natural history of cancer for select patients with metastatic ...
Evaluating the Oncologic and Safety Outcomes of High-Dose ...
Palliative radiotherapy has a long and successful track record of providing durable relief for patients with symptomatic metastatic disease.
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