$1,602,675 for a phase III trial investigating palliative radio therapy Wednesday, August 02, 2023 CCTG HN13 clinical trial has successfully been awarded $1,602,675 in the Spring 2023 CIHR funding competition to investigate improving head and neck tumour and symptom control in patients who are unable to tolerate curative radiotherapy. Dr Wendy Paruleka, CCTG Senior Investigator Dr Ian Poon, CCTG HN13 study chair Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNC) treatments often include radiotherapy (RT) given daily for 6-7 weeks. Due to age related health conditions, frail patients may be unable to tolerate this treatment and are usually offered a lower dose of palliative radiotherapy given over a shorter time period. "This trial will address an important gap in the care of a vulnerable group of patients who require new treatment strategies to control their head and neck cancer. We are excited about this opportunity to work with the radiation oncology community and patients across the country to ensure the successful conduct of this trial," says Dr Wendy Paruleka, CCTG Senior Investigator Advances in radiotherapy planning and delivery have resulted in a new technique called stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) which allows higher doses of radiation to be directed to the tumour while sparing normal tissue. This type of radiation can be administered safely with potentially better tumour, symptom control and survival rates compared to the standard radiotherapy. The study will compare SBRT versus standard palliative RT who are unsuitable for treatment with curative radiotherapy in a prospective randomized phase III trial. If the trial results are positive, SBRT will be considered a treatment option for patients to improve survival and other disease-related symptoms. With better survival and symptom control, SBRT has the potential to reduce the burden of care on the healthcare system.
