Evaluation of OE-MRI in patients with H&N cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of Oxygen Enhanced MRI for Identification of Hypoxia Induced Resistant Tumours in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer
IRAS ID
290288
Contact name
Rafal Panek
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Patients with head and neck cancer are treated using a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy (CRT) and surgical treatment. Tumour response to CRT varies greatly. Some tumours completely respond to the treatment and others do not respond at all.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides excellent visualisation of tumours and vital adjacent organs. This allows for very accurate identification of tumour volumes requiring radiotherapy treatment and the normal tissues that need to be avoided. MRI scans are routinely used to diagnose head and neck patients and their response to treatment.
The unique ability of MRI is to provide information on biology and function of tissues, including oxygen delivery. This can be achieved comparing images acquired whilst breathing air versus pure oxygen.
We propose to use this method to assess tumour oxygenation in head and neck cancers and detect areas of poor oxygenation, which are less likely to respond to standard radiotherapy treatment. This would allow better personalising of the radiotherapy treatment plan and potentially improve the outcome for these patients in the future.
This feasibility study will involve the recruitment of 50 patients at NUH who will be scanned whilst breathing oxygen in addition to their routine MRI scan. 5 healthy volunteers will also be scanned to validate the protocol before patient scans.
Research Summary:
Evaluation of Oxygen Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Identification of Hypoxia Induced Resistant Tumours in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer.REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0050
Date of REC Opinion
9 Feb 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion