Northern Alberta Linac-MR Image-Guided Radiotherapy (Northern LIGHTs-2)

Recruiting now · Phase 1/Phase 2

Conditions studied: Cancer

In brief

Cancers are often treated with external beam radiotherapy. Current radiotherapy treatments are performed using computed tomography (also known as CT) scans which may not always clearly identify the cancer. In some instances, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be able to better identify cancers. Therefore, efforts are currently underway to use the MRI scans to improve radiotherapy treatments or eventually even use radiotherapy equipment that only uses MRI scans to guide treatments. This new technology that will only use MRI scans to guide treatments is called the Linac-MR (linear accelerator with an MRI). This new Linac-MR is a unique innovation at the Cross Cancer Institute, with theoretical advantages over other Linac-MR machines that are being tested elsewhere in the world. This feasibility study is being done as a first step in clinical development of the Linac-MR, as this new technology has to be tested to see if it is acceptable to both doctors and participants. The purpose of this Phase I/II study is (1) to verify treatment completion as intended and scheduled the oncology team, and (2) to evaluate treatment effects, including any expected or unexpected radiation side effects and cancer response to radiation. This study will allow the researchers at the Cross Cancer Institute to develop this technology further by conducting additional studies to take advantage of MRI scanning on tumor tracking during radiation treatments.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05413473

Run by

AHS Cancer Control Alberta

People needed

99

Starts

2023-02-08

Expected to finish

2030-01-01

Last updated by the study team

2025-06-15

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Adults ≥ 18 years of age
• Patients deemed fit to undergo external beam radiation therapy by their attending radiation oncologist
• Accessible for follow-up

You may not qualify if…

• Patients with contraindications for MRI
• Patients who are unable to lie flat and still for the duration of the expected scan acquisition and treatment
• Patients who are unable to provide informed consent
• Patients with clinically significant inferior treatment plans compared to standard CT based external beam plans. For example, plans that generate hot spots of > 110% or other unacceptable treatment plans that would not otherwise arise with standard CT based external beam plans.
• Pregnancy

Where it is running

• Cross Cancer Institute — Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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