Fiducial markers for locally advanced lung cancer EBRT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessing the accuracy of lung radiotherapy using fiducial markers for verification during fractionated external beam radiotherapy.
IRAS ID
196800
Contact name
Hannah Bainbridge
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Marsden Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
This is a radiotherapy study for patients with locally advanced lung cancer where current survival rates are poor. For all radiotherapy our aim is to effectively treat the cancer whilst sparing normal surrounding tissue. In lung cancer- where the tumour can move by a number of cm during treatment, adequate targeting to the tumour has been historically difficult. In this trial we will be inserting 3 small metallic Beacons around the tumour. Using a radiation-free technique we will then be able to monitor how their position changes during breathing and throughout a curative course of treatment. Beacons are licensed for use in lung cancer patients, but to our knowledge have never before been used in patients with locally advanced disease. We are primarily focused on the safety and feasibly of using Beacons in this patient group. The trial is split into two stages. In stage 1 we will validate a new treatment planning technique in which we will treat patients on the basis of the average position of their tumour during the breathing cycle. This technique is used elsewhere in Europe, but has not been validated or used in the Royal Marsden Hospital. Providing the trial meets early stopping criteria for stage 1, and we show that Beacon position is a good surrogate for tumour position, we will subsequently use Beacons to “gate” radiotherapy. Gating is a technique whereby the radiation beam is only on when the tumour is in a particular position. Gating has the advantage of being able to be more precise with radiation delivery, therefore ensuring that the tumour receives the prescribed dose.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1640
Date of REC Opinion
10 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion