A new Australian clinical trial testing an innovative way of delivering radiotherapy to people with difficult-to-treat abdominal cancers is now open.
The study, MR STAR, is investigating the impact of using a new technology called a magnetic resonance imaging – linear accelerator (MRI-Linac) to deliver targeted, high-dose radiotherapy.
The hope is that this approach will be more effective in controlling metastatic abdominal cancers (cancers that have spread beyond their original location) than current standard approaches, leading to improved treatment outcomes, quality of life, and survival rates.
Excitingly, it’s research that’s breaking new ground.
“This clinical trial is one of the first globally to assess whether MRI-guided radiotherapy can lead to better outcomes,” says radiation oncologist and Study Chair Dr Trang Pham.
It’s also research that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of dedicated community fundraisers and donors.
“Community support has allowed us to carry out this important work and make a positive impact on the lives of people with cancer”, Dr Pham adds.
Current radiotherapy limitations
For many people with cancer, radiotherapy is a key part of treatment. This treatment is delivered using a machine called a linear accelerator (linac) which directs beams of high energy at the cancer.
Standard linacs typically use CT scans to guide where these beams are directed. This is known as CT-guided radiotherapy.
While each radiotherapy plan is personalised, CT-guided radiotherapy is limited in its ability to adapt to changes in the tumour’s position – something that can happen when tumours shrink or change shape during treatment.
There are also limitations when it comes to distinguishing abdominal cancers from healthy nearby organs such as the bowel.
This can make treating tumours close to healthy organs challenging, and sometimes a lower, less effective dose of radiotherapy is delivered to avoid injuring the healthy tissue.
A promising new approach
MRI scans are better able to visualise tumours and surrounding tissue than CT scans – and MR STAR is investigating whether MRI-guided radiotherapy can control metastatic abdominal cancers more successfully than CT-guided radiotherapy.
Specifically, the trial is exploring the efficacy of MRI-Linac technology, which combines a linac with an MRI scanner.
This technology enables the capture of real-time images of a person’s tumours, including areas that may be resistant to treatment, helping to guide the direction of radiation beams more precisely while avoiding damage to nearby tissue. Importantly, it also allows for radiotherapy to be adapted as tumours change over time.
Better visualisation and precision may also enable delivery of higher radiotherapy doses, increasing the chances of successful treatment.
It’s cutting-edge research that has the potential to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people with difficult-to-treat abdominal cancers.
Dedicated community fundraisers and generous donors play a pivotal role in making our research possible. Thank you for helping to make MR STAR a reality.
Please speak to your consulting specialist if you think this trial may be suitable for you.