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NCT Number: NCT04358913

MR Imaging Study Using the Northern Alberta Linac-MR (Northern LIGHTs - 1)

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). The purpose of this pilot phase of the study is to test whether the Alberta linac-MR P3 system at the Cross Cancer Institute can acquire high quality MR images safely. It will allow the researchers to develop the best collection of MR images possible with this new machine, in order to allow them to visualize tumors for future patients that are treated on this machine.

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Key information

Conditions

Cancer Neoplasms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Cross Cancer Institute

Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1Z2, Canada

Location status: Recruiting

About this study

This prospective, pilot phase, clinical trial is an imaging study to optimize the necessary MR sequences on the Alberta linac-MR P3 system to allow for MR-guided radiotherapy in adult patients with cancer that are treated with high dose external beam radiotherapy. Each participant will undergo a single MR imaging session (30 - 40 minutes) on the Alberta linac-MR P3 system. Towards the end of the study, patients will be approached to participate in an optional sub-study, where they will undergo a total of five MR imaging sessions (performed every two to five days) to allow for an assessment of inter-fraction motion.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults ≥ 18 years of age
  • Patients deemed fit to undergo high dose external beam radiation therapy by their attending radiation oncologist

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with contraindications for MRI
  • Patients who are unable to lie flat and still for the duration of the expected scan acquisition
  • Patients who are unable to provide informed consent

Treatment and study plan

MR scan with the Alberta linac-MR P3 system

Device

Single MR imaging session to develop and optimize the necessary MR sequences on the Alberta linac-MR P3 system to allow for MR-guided radiotherapy.

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of high-quality MR image data sets acquired for each major tumour site (prostate, liver, lung, CNS, breast, gynecological, pancreas, and head and neck)

    Time frame: Through study completion, approximately 7 years

    Clinical radiologists, medical physicists, and radiation oncologists will work together to develop MR sequences that can delineate tumour target volumes on the Alberta linac-MR P3 system. Over the course of the trial, the clinical radiologists will work with medical physicists to optimize these sequences to allow for the development of optimal MR images, with the goal to develop of series of protocols that can be utilized to provide clear MR image guidance for each tumour group.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Quantify the patient experience on the Linac-MR

    Time frame: After the first and last scan, up to 5 weeks

    Participants will complete a questionnaire at the end of their first scan regarding their experience having imaging done on the Linac-MR. Participants taking part in the optional sub-study will complete the same questionnaire at the end of their last set of imaging.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Nawaid Usmani, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

780-432-8518

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

AHS Cancer Control Alberta

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Northern Alberta Linac-MR Image-Guided Human Clinical Trials - 1

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2029
Study completion
2029
First posted
Apr 24, 2020
Registry last updated
May 14, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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