HERMES
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The HERMES trial: Hypofractionated Expedited Radiotherapy for Men with localisEd proState cancer. A phase II randomised study of ultrahypofractionated stereotactic body radiotherapy in men with localised prostate cancer.
IRAS ID
285291
Contact name
Stephanie Burnett
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Institute of Cancer Research
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN96894088
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
7 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
The purpose of this research is to investigate whether stereotactic body radiotherapy (precise X-ray treatment, abbreviated to SBRT) is best given in five treatments (also called fractions) over 10 days or in two treatments over 8 days. SBRT is an accurate way to deliver a high dose of radiotherapy to the prostate in a smaller number of doses. We have considerable experience with 5-dose SBRT and now wish to examine the feasibility and safety of delivering treatment over two, larger, doses. Previous work has shown it is theoretically possible to deliver two fraction SBRT on the MR-linac and previous studies have shown internal radiotherapy (brachytherapy) administered in two fractions to be a safe option for patients with low-risk prostate cancer.
All treatment within this trial will be delivered on a new, state of the art, radiotherapy machine called an MR-linac (Magnetic Resonance Linear Accelerator). It puts together an MRI scanner with a radiotherapy treatment machine called a Linear Accelerator. The use of the MR-linac means there is no extra radiation dose given when taking images (unlike CT scans or X-ray), enabling us to adapt the radiotherapy plan each day if needed to more precisely target the prostate. The results of the study will enable us to find out if the new, shorter treatment (2 doses of radiotherapy), has a similar level of side effects as the 5 dose treatment and is suitable for further study.REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/1162
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jan 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion