Using Alpha Radiation to Treat Liver Metastases
Official title: A Feasibility and Safety Study of Intratumoral Diffusing Alpha Radiation Emitters for the Treatment of Liver Metastases
Run by Alpha Tau Medical LTD. · NCT05829291 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment using alpha radiation to see if it can safely target and shrink liver tumors in patients with liver metastases.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 10 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Alpha Tau Medical LTD. Industry-sponsored |
| Drugs / interventions | Radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Montreal, Quebec) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 1, 2023 |
| Main results expected | February 2027 |
| Study ends | July 2027 |
| Registry record updated | June 16, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05829291 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with colorectal cancer liver metastases that are amenable to treatment with DaRT.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with liver metastases that are not targetable or those with a poor performance status 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 evaluates the feasibility and safety of a novel treatment called Diffusing Alpha Radiation Emitters Therapy (DaRT) for patients with liver metastases. It involves a single center enrolling up to 10 patients, focusing on the ability to achieve full coverage of liver metastases with alpha-emitting seeds. The study will assess both the pathological and radiological responses of the tumors using established criteria. The primary goal is to determine if this method can be safely implemented in a clinical setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new therapeutic option for patients with liver metastases, potentially improving their outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While this approach is novel, similar studies using alpha radiation for tumor treatment have shown promising results, indicating potential for success.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Referred for a two staged hepatectomy following a multidisciplinary team discussion, to resect liver metastases of colorectal cancer
2. Targetable lesion(s) must be technically amenable for complete coverage (including margins) by the Alpha DaRT Seeds / Target(s) must be reachable for implantation
3. Liver lesions are visible and measurable by CT according to RECIST v 1.1
4. Age ≥ 18 years old
5. ECOG Performance Status Scale ≤ 2
6. Subjects' life expectancy is at least 12 weeks
7. The following laboratory parameters
* WBC ≥ 3500/µl, granulocyte ≥ 1500/µl
* Hemoglobin \> 85 g/L
* Total bilirubin \< 51.3 umol/L
* Platelet count \>75 X 109 /L or \> 50% Prothrombin activity
* Amylase and lipase \< 1.5 X the upper limit of normal
* AST and ALT ≤ 5 X ULN
* Prothrombin time (PT) international normalized ratio (INR) \< 2.3 or PT \< 6 seconds above control. Patients who are being therapeutically anticoagulated with an agent such as Coumadin or heparin will be allowed to participate provided that no prior evidence of underlying abnormality in these parameters exists
8. Subjects are willing and able to sign an informed consent form
9. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) will have evidence of negative pregnancy test within seven days before the Ra-224 implantation
10. Subjects must agree to use adequate contraception (vasectomy or barrier method of birth control) prior to study entry, for the duration of study participation and for 3 months after discontinuing therapy
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Concurrent cancer that is distinct in primary site or histology from colorectal cancer. Except cervical carcinoma in situ, prostate cancer with good prognosis, treated basal cell carcinoma, superficial bladder tumors (Ta, Tis \& T1). Any cancer curatively treated 3 years prior to entry is permitted.
2. Patients undergoing systemic immunosuppressive therapy excepting intermittent, brief use of systemic corticosteroids
3. Contraindication to angiography:
* Any bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy that is not correctable by usual therapy or hemostatic agent
* Severe peripheral vascular disease precluding catheterization
* History of severe allergy or intolerance to contrast agents, narcotics, sedatives or atropine that cannot be managed medically
4. Known hypersensitivity to any of the components of the treatment.
5. Clinically significant cardiovascular disease, e.g. cardiac failure of New York Heart Association classes III-IV, uncontrolled coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, uncontrolled arrhythmia, uncontrolled hypertension, or history of myocardial infarction in the last 12 months.
6. Patients with clinically significant gastrointestinal bleeding within 30 days prior to study entry.
7. Brain metastases
8. Active clinically serious infections
9. Major surgery within 4 weeks of start of the study therapy
10. Patients with uncontrolled intercurrent illnesses including, but not limited to an active infection requiring systemic therapy or a known psychiatric or substance abuse disorder(s) that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial or interfere with the study endpoints.
11. Any condition that is unstable or which could jeopardize the safety of the patient and his/her compliance in the study
12. High probability of protocol non-compliance (in opinion of investigator)
13. Pregnant or breastfeeding women
14. Volunteers participating in another interventional study in the past 30 days which might conflict with the endpoints of this study or the evaluation of response or toxicity of DaRT
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Where it's running
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e McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Peter Metrakos, MD — McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
- Study coordinator: Liron Dimnik
- Email: LironD@alphatau.com
- Phone: +972237377000
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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.