Combining laser treatment and radiosurgery for spinal tumors
A Clinical Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of Combining Laser Interstitial Thermal Ablation With and Without Spine Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Patients With Spine Metastases
This study is testing if using both laser treatment and targeted radiation can help people with spinal tumors feel better and improve their quality of life compared to just using radiation alone.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Henry Ford Health System Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Detroit, Michigan) |
| Trial ID | NCT05023772 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of combining spinal interstitial laser ablation with stereotactic spine radiosurgery for treating spinal tumors near the spinal cord. The study will document local tumor control rates, safety of MRI-compatible hardware for image guidance, and the accuracy of this guidance. Additionally, it will assess changes in muscle strength, pain levels, sensory function, and overall quality of life over a period of 24 months. The study will also compare outcomes to historical controls who received only radiosurgery.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults over 18 with a histologically confirmed solid malignant tumor and specific grades of epidural spinal cord compression.
Not a fit: Patients with radiosensitive tumor types or those with extensive spinal metastasis beyond the specified limits may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve tumor control, pain management, and quality of life for patients with spinal metastases.
How similar studies have performed: While combining these two treatment modalities is innovative, similar approaches have shown promise in other studies, suggesting potential for success.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age \> 18 years old. (The indication for this technique is controversial in skeletally immature patients.) * Histologic diagnosis of solid malignant tumor (not one of the more radiosensitive histologic subtypes, see Exclusion Criteria), including but not limited to non-small cell lung cancer, breast, prostate, renal cell, melanoma, gastrointestinal, sarcoma, thyroid, head and neck primary, and unknown primary tumors. * Quantification of the degree of epidural spinal cord compression as grade 1C, 2, or 3 by MRI, with and without contrast sequences. Axial T2 sequence is encouraged but not required. * The vertebral body site to be treated must be located from T2 to L1 * No more than 3 contiguous or dis-contiguous vertebral levels involved with metastasis in the spine to be irradiated in a single session or 3 sessions. * Motor strength ≥4 out of 5 in extremity or extremities affected by the level of the spinal cord compression (see section 4 for grading method). * ECOG performance status \<2 or Karnofsky performance status (KPS) \>50 * Life expectancy \>3 months. * Inoperable disease because of patient refusal, neurosurgical evaluation, or any other medical reasons. * Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) before study entry and for the duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately. * Prior conventional radiation to the same site is allowed as long as there is a greater than 3 months interval. * Signed informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Requires open spinal procedure or a percutaneous procedure without the use of image guidance. * Primary tumors of radiosensitive histology (lymphoma, multiple myeloma, small cell carcinoma, germ cell tumors), as conventional radiation is likely to be effective in such cases. * Unable to tolerate general anesthesia and prone position. * Unable to undergo MRI scan of the spine. * Inability to lie flat on a treatment table for \>60 minutes. * Pregnant. (Urine testing must be done no more than 10 days prior to surgery.) * Prior conventional irradiation of the spine site and level to be treated with an interval shorter than 3 months. * Frank cord compression or cord compression from bone components or configuration and acute neurological deficits (defined as motor strength \<4/5 in extremity or extremities affected by the level of the spinal cord compression)
Where this trial is running
Detroit, Michigan
- Henry Ford Hospital — Detroit, Michigan, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ian Lee, MD — Henry Ford Health Health System
- Study coordinator: Ramona Davis
- Email: RDavis18@hfhs.org
- Phone: 3132821753
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.