Using contrast agents to improve liver cancer radiation therapy

Radio-opaque Contrast Agents for Liver Cancer Targeting With KIM During Radiation Therapy

Observational University of Sydney · NCT05169177

This study is testing if using special contrast agents can help doctors better track liver tumors during radiation therapy for patients who have already received a different treatment.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Sydney Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsradiation
Locations5 sites (Waratah, New South Wales and 4 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05169177 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study investigates the effectiveness of radio-opaque contrast agents in tracking liver tumors during stereotactic ablative body radiation therapy (SABR). It involves collecting image files from patients who have received SABR after trans-catheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The study aims to develop a software algorithm (KIM) that can accurately detect and track these contrast agents in real-time, enhancing the precision of radiation therapy. Data from 80% of participants will be used to create the algorithm, while the remaining 20% will validate its accuracy against manual delineation of tumor positions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with liver cancer who are receiving SABR and have been administered a radio-opaque contrast agent visible on imaging scans.

Not a fit: Patients under 18 years old or those without compatible imaging datasets will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve the accuracy of radiation therapy for liver cancer patients, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of imaging software in radiation therapy is established, this specific approach using radio-opaque contrast agents for liver cancer tracking is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Received or will receive stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) treatment for liver cancer at a participating site.
* Received a radio-opaque contrast agent (e.g. Lipiodol™ or DC Bead LUMI™) that is visible on the radiation treatment planning CT scan
* The radio-opaque contrast agent mass is or will be within the x-ray imaging field of view during the CBCT scan and any planned intra-fraction imaging. Note that there is no requirement of the distance between the contrast agent mass and the treated tumour as the goal of the study is the contrast agent mass tracking.
* Provides written informed consent (prospectively recruited) or meets criteria for waiving of the requirement for consent (retrospectively recruited)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Less than 18 years of age
* Minimum image dataset is not available
* Image dataset is not in a compatible format

Where this trial is running

Waratah, New South Wales and 4 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 Liver NeoplasmRadiation TherapyStereotactic Ablative Body Radiation TherapySABRKilovoltage intrafraction monitoringRadio opaque contrast
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.