Lowering radiation dose for soft tissue sarcoma treatment

Reduction of Dose and Volume in Postoperative Radiation for Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Phase 2 Interventional Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · NCT04288375

This study is testing if using less radiation in a smaller area after surgery can still effectively control soft tissue sarcoma in the arms and legs while also checking for any long-term side effects.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations7 sites (Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 6 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04288375 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to determine if reducing the dose and targeting a smaller area of postoperative radiation therapy is as effective as the standard approach for controlling soft tissue sarcoma in the arms and legs. The investigators will assess the effectiveness of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) while also evaluating the long-term side effects associated with this reduced treatment. Patients who have undergone successful surgical resection of their tumors will be enrolled, and the study will monitor outcomes over time.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older diagnosed with primary soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity who have had margin-negative surgical resection.

Not a fit: Patients with unresectable tumors or those who have not undergone surgery may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to effective treatment with fewer long-term side effects for patients with soft tissue sarcoma.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have explored dose reduction in radiation therapy, showing promising results, but this specific approach is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients must be diagnosed with a primary soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity, confirmed by MSKCC pathologic review
* Age at the time of enrollment of ≥18 years
* Patients must have undergone margin-negative oncologic resection of their primary tumor, as confirmed by MSKCC pathologic review
* Patients must be able to start radiation within 3 months from time of surgery

  °If patient is receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, patient must start RT no longer than 3 months past their chemo treatment.
* Female patients of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 14 days of radiation start (or if urine test, within 24 hours of radiation start)
* Sexually active patients of childbearing potential must agree to use effective contraception.
* The use of chemotherapy will not be dictated by this trial. Patients are allowed to receive chemotherapy at the discretion of the disease management team (as is standard practice to make individualized decisions for each patient regarding the use of chemotherapy).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with positive margins after surgical resection as indicated by MSKCC pathologic review
* Patients with diagnosis of superficial myxofibrosarcoma with indistinct/infiltrative borders on preoperative MRI16 (see Appendix Figure 1 for reference figure)
* Patients with multifocal disease in the extremity
* Patients who have received prior radiotherapy at or adjacent to the primary tumor bed
* Patients with a differentinvasive cancer requiring active treatment at the time of enrollment.
* Patients with any concurrent medical or psychiatric condition or disease which, in the investigator's judgment, would make them inappropriate candidates for entry into this study

Where this trial is running

Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 6 other locations

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 SarcomaPostoperative RadiationSoft Tissue Sarcoma of extremity20-064
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.