Shortened external beam radiotherapy for cervical cancer

Hypofractionated External-beam RadiOtherapy for Intact Cervical Cancer (HEROICC-Trial): A Feasibility Study

Phase 2 Interventional London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's · NCT04583254

This study tests if a shorter course of radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy can effectively treat patients with locally advanced cervical cancer while being easier for them to manage.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment48 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorLondon Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations3 sites (Kelowna, British Columbia and 2 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04583254 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the feasibility of a shortened external beam radiotherapy regimen combined with chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. Participants will be randomized to receive either the experimental hypofractionated radiotherapy or the standard treatment regimen. The study aims to evaluate patient accrual in Canada and assess initial cancer response and treatment tolerability. The approach seeks to determine if a reduced number of radiation sessions can be effective and manageable for patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with specific stages of cervical cancer who are not surgical candidates but can undergo definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced stages of cervical cancer (FIGO stage IIIA, IIIB, IIIC2, IVA, or IVB) or those who have previously received pelvic or abdominal radiotherapy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to a more efficient and tolerable treatment option for patients with cervical cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have explored hypofractionated radiotherapy approaches, showing promising results, but this specific regimen is being evaluated for the first time in this context.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18 years or older
* International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) IA or IB1 cervical cancers if not surgical candidates, but amenable to definitive chemoradiotherapy as proposed in this trial.
* FIGO Stage IB2, IB3, IIA or IIB cervical cancers
* FIGO stage IIIC1 cervical cancers are candidates but must meet all the following criteria:

  1. largest node is less than 3 cm
  2. less than 3 pathological nodes
  3. No nodes located in the common iliac chain.
  4. Cervical confined or with parametrial invasion
* Histologically-confirmed invasive uterine cervical carcinoma of subtypes squamous cell, adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous cell
* Candidate for definitive chemoradiotherapy to be delivered with weekly cisplatin
* Brachytherapy candidate

Exclusion Criteria:

* FIGO stage IIIA, IIIB, IIIC2, IVA or IVB
* FIGO stage IIIC1 with node greater than 3 cm, common iliac node or greater than 2 pathological nodes
* Previous pelvic or abdominal radiotherapy
* Patients requiring paraaortic nodal irradiation
* Inflammatory bowel disease
* Connective tissue disorder (eg. scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematous)
* Neuroendocrine, glassy cell, small cell, adenoid cystic carcinoma, adenoid basal carcinoma, clear cell, serous, endometrioid, verrucous carcinoma, melanoma, and sarcoma histologies
* Patient unable to undergo MR scan
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status greater than 3
* Not a cisplatin candidate

Where this trial is running

Kelowna, British Columbia and 2 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 Cervical CancerHypofractionated External-beam Radiotherapy
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.