Personalized radiation therapy for palliative treatment of head and neck cancer

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This trial evaluates the effectiveness of personalized ultrafractionated stereotactic adaptive radiotherapy (PULSAR) combined with HyperArc radiation treatment planning technology for patients with localized or metastatic head and neck cancer who cannot undergo standard treatments. The approach aims to deliver higher doses of radiation to tumors while minimizing side effects to surrounding healthy tissues. Patients will receive radiation every 14 days, with adjustments made based on any anatomical or tumor changes during treatment. The goal is to improve tumor control and symptom relief in this patient population.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* \>= 18 years old
* Diagnosis of primary or recurrent, localized or metastatic (American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th Edition stages I-IV) head and neck cancer. In primary diagnosis cases, pathologic confirmation is required. In recurrent and/or metastatic diagnosis cases, pathologic confirmation is not required if not beneficial to the patient as standard of care, and diagnosis can be assumed based on clinical and/or radiographic evidence
* Ineligible for or declines standard of care definitive treatment(s), which will be documented in the patient's trial screening progress note in their electronic medical record by the treating physician
* Measurable disease within the head and/or neck clinically and/or on imaging studies (CT, PET, MRI) within 30 days from date of enrollment
* Patient maximum tumor(s) or tumor bed diameter must be less than 10cm
* In a woman of childbearing potential, a negative serum or urine pregnancy test within 1 week of treatment start must be documented. Women of childbearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; or abstinence) for duration of study participation and for up to 4 weeks following the study treatment
* Patients with a tracheostomy and/or a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube are eligible for inclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant or breast-feeding
* More than 1 prior radiation treatment course directed to the treatment area over the patient's lifetime. In patients who have received 1 prior radiation treatment course directed to the treatment area, that prior radiation treatment course must have concluded at least 6 months prior to trial enrollment
* Any comorbidity or condition which would limit full compliance with the protocol

Where it's running

• University of California at Los Angeles
  Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Travis Courtney, MD — University of California at Los Angeles
• Study coordinator: Mili Santoso
• Email: msantoso@mednet.ucla.edu
• Phone: 310 267-2153

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.