Comparing two types of radiation therapy for soft tissue sarcomas

Phase II Trial of Neoadjuvant Hypofractionated Radiotherapy Versus Conventionally Fractionated Radiotherapy for Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Phase 2 Interventional University of Wisconsin, Madison · NCT05109494

This study is testing if a shorter, more intense radiation treatment can be just as safe and effective as the standard radiation for people with soft tissue sarcomas before surgery.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, Radiation, pembrolizumab
Locations1 site (Madison, Wisconsin)
Trial IDNCT05109494 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of hypofractionated radiotherapy compared to conventional fractionated radiotherapy for patients with soft tissue sarcomas prior to surgery. A total of 30 participants will be enrolled, receiving either treatment over different time frames: 25 treatments over 5 weeks for conventional therapy or 5 treatments over 1-2 weeks for hypofractionated therapy. The goal is to determine if the shorter treatment duration with higher doses is a viable alternative to the standard approach. Participants can expect to be involved in the study for up to 5 years.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with biopsy-proven soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity, trunk, or head and neck who are operable and medically fit for surgery.

Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant or unable to undergo necessary imaging or positioning for radiotherapy planning will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to a more efficient and effective treatment option for patients with soft tissue sarcomas.

How similar studies have performed: Early studies have suggested that hypofractionated radiotherapy may be safe and effective, but further research is needed to confirm these findings in the context of soft tissue sarcomas.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Biopsy proven soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity, trunk, or head and neck
* No prior sarcoma-directed chemotherapy or radiotherapy
* Age ≥ 18 years
* Karnofsky performance status ≥ 60
* Able to understand and sign an informed consent
* Life expectancy of greater than 12 weeks
* Hypofractionated or conventionally fractionated radiotherapy using Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) are both deemed feasible and safe neoadjuvant treatments, at the treating physician's discretion
* Operable disease and medically fit for surgery, based on the opinion of the consulting surgeon; surgery within 5-14 days of completion of radiation therapy (RT)
* Adequate bone marrow function as defined by absolute neutrophil count \> 500/mcL, hemoglobin \> 8 g/dL, platelets \> 50,000/mcL; adequate renal function as defined by creatinine clearance \> 30 mL/min

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant
* Unable to undergo imaging or positioning necessary for radiotherapy planning

Where this trial is running

Madison, Wisconsin

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Soft Tissue Sarcomahypofractionatedradiotherapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.