VIRTUAL
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Partial Volume high-dose Irradiation in Renal Cell Carcinoma for intra-TUmoural control ALongside current management (VIRTUAL) - a randomised feasibility study
IRAS ID
312391
Contact name
Vincent Khoo
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Patients with advanced or metastatic kidney cancer are living for longer due to improved treatment options including systemic therapies and often have only one or a few areas of cancer that are problematic at any one time, which is why targeted local treatments such as radiotherapy are becoming increasing important. Kidney cancer was traditionally thought to respond poorly to radiotherapy, however there is now good data to demonstrate that it can be very effective when higher doses are used in a smaller number of treatments. The benefit of radiotherapy is it is non-invasive, and available widely in cancer centres across the UK and as such, it is often a good option for local control of cancer in patients where quality of life preservation is key. Control of problematic areas of kidney cancer may delay patients’ requirement to start systemic therapy for their kidney cancer or may delay changes in their systemic therapy e.g. if they have only a few problematic areas that are not responding as well to their current treatment.
This study will initially investigate whether it is possible to run a randomised clinical trial to investigate high-dose radiotherapy delivered in 5 treatments versus standard palliative radiotherapy delivered in 10 treatments for patients with localised or metastatic kidney cancer. The intent of this treatment is to aim to control the cancer at the treated site and is not curative. Participants who require systemic therapy can continue with this treatment plan also and are still eligible for the study.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0039
Date of REC Opinion
31 Jan 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion