MRI-guided focused radiotherapy for abdominal and lung tumors

A Feasibility Study of MRI Guided Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy

The team will try MRI-guided high-dose focused radiation (MR-Linac) for people with small, localised abdominal or lung tumors to spare nearby organs.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: The Christie NHS Foundation Trust (other)
• Drugs / interventions: radiation
• Locations: 1 site (Manchester, United Kingdom)
• Trial ID: NCT05903430 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational feasibility study uses a high-field MR-Linac to deliver stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) to tumors in the abdomen or central chest while actively imaging the target during treatment. The approach includes real-time gating, on-table adaptation, and acquisition of functional MR images without extra radiation to assess motion, deformation, and tumour biology. Investigators will record patient experience and tolerability, and compare clinical outcomes to patients treated on standard x-ray–guided machines using the UKCAT database. Optional research imaging will be collected from consenting participants to explore whether MRI-derived biological information could guide adaptive treatment in future trials.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with small, localised abdominal or central lung tumors who are eligible for SABR per guidelines, have no MRI contraindications, a performance status ≤2, and expected survival over six months are the intended participants.

Not a fit: Patients who cannot undergo MRI, have uncontrolled systemic disease, more than three oligometastatic sites, very poor performance status, or short expected survival are unlikely to benefit from this approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could allow more precise radiation to tumors with reduced dose to nearby organs, lowering side effects and potentially improving tumor control.

How similar studies have performed: While standard SABR with x-ray guidance is well established, MRI-guided SABR is a newer technique with growing feasibility data and early promising reports but limited long-term outcome evidence.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria:

1. Have no MRI contra-indications.
2. Eligible for abdominal SABR in accordance with the NHSE SABR Consortium Guidelines or eligible for central lung SABR in accordance with RTOG Guidelines.
3. Be able to give informed consent.
4. Anticipated life-expectancy \> 6 months.
5. Not more than 3 oligmetastatic sites treated in total per patients.
6. Performance status ≤ 2.
7. Willing to attend follow-up and have details collected on prospective basis for a minimum of 1 year.

Exclusion criteria:

1. Any contraindications to MRI identified after MRI safety screening including completion of an MRI Safety Screening Form.
2. Unable to tolerate MRI scans.
3. Any evidence of severe or uncontrolled systemic diseases which, in the view of the investigator make it undesirable for the patient to participate in the study.
4. Any evidence of significant clinical disorder or laboratory finding which, in the opinion of the investigator, make it undesirable for the patient to participate in the study.
5. Any patient known to have active hepatitis B, hepatitis C or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Where this trial is running

Manchester, United Kingdom

• The Christie NHS Foundation Trust — Manchester, United Kingdom, United Kingdom (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Clare Griffin

Conditions: Abdominal Cancer, Lung Cancer