Proton therapy for kidney cancer treatment
Official title: Prospective Phase II Study of Stereotactic Body Proton Therapy for Treatment of PrimAry Renal Cell Carcinoma (SPARE)
Run by Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins · NCT06376669 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if proton therapy can help people with kidney cancer who can't have surgery by improving their treatment outcomes while protecting their healthy kidney tissue.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Washington D.C., District of Columbia) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 25, 2025 |
| Main results expected | June 2027 |
| Study ends | August 2030 |
| Registry record updated | April 3, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06376669 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with biopsy-proven renal cell carcinoma who are not suitable for surgery or local ablative procedures.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with metastatic disease or those who have previously received radiation treatment in overlapping fields may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effects of proton-based stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) on kidney function and various oncologic outcomes in patients with primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC). It focuses on patients who are not candidates for surgical intervention due to medical comorbidities or technical limitations. The study aims to determine if proton therapy can improve local control and survival rates while minimizing damage to healthy kidney tissue compared to conventional x-ray SBRT. By utilizing the unique properties of proton therapy, the study seeks to enhance treatment efficacy while preserving kidney function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a safer treatment option for patients with renal cell carcinoma, preserving kidney function while effectively controlling cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using conventional x-ray SBRT have shown improved outcomes for RCC, suggesting that this novel approach with proton therapy may also be promising.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age ≥ 18 years 2. Biopsy proven renal cell carcinoma. 3. No clinical or radiographic evidence of metastatic disease. 4. Not a candidate for surgical treatment or local ablative procedures. 5. Subjects are able to undergo either an MRI or administration of contrast agent for CT. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Prior history of radiation treatment with overlapping fields. 2. Patients with proven metastatic disease. 3. Female subjects who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the treatment.
Where it's running
-
Sibley Memorial Hospital
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Sherif Shaaban, MD — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Sherif Shaaban
- Email: sshaaba1@jhmi.edu
- Phone: 202-919-2523
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.