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Active, Not Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07173140

Renal Tumour Imaging Using MRI

This study investigates whether new types of MRI scans can tell the difference between different kidney tumours before surgery. Currently, imaging scans can detect kidney tumours and their size, but they aren't effective at determining the tumour type or its aggressiveness. Biopsies are an option, but they are invasive and may miss important cancerous cells. The aim is to use imaging to determine which tumours are aggressive so they can be treated early while avoiding unnecessary treatment of benign tumours.

Patients with small renal tumours (≤ 7 cm) who meet the other inclusion and exclusion criteria will be asked to have an additional MRI scan at University College London Hospital prior to surgery.

The imaging findings will be compared to the histology result from the removed tumour. In 10 patients the histology will be targeted to a specific location in the tumour based on the imaging. 10 patients will undergo a repeat MRI <14 d apart to test whether the MRI scans can give the same answer twice (the test repeatability).

The study is expected to run for 24 months and is funded by NIHR.

The chief investigator for the study is Dr Richard Hesketh ([email protected]).

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Renal Cancer Female Urogenital Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Kidney Cancers Kidney Diseases Kidney Neoplasms MRI Male Urogenital Diseases Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Small Renal Mass Urogenital Diseases Urogenital Neoplasms Urologic Diseases Urologic Neoplasms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University College London

London, United Kingdom

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 18 and over
  • Confirmed renal tumour ≤ 7 cm planned for surgical resection
  • Willing and able to provide written informed consent
  • Able to lie supine for the duration of an MRI

Exclusion criteria

  • Contraindication to MRI e.g., cardiac pacemaker
  • Contraindication to MR contrast agents
  • Pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding
  • Deranged renal function (eGFR <30) in the last three months.
  • Previous treatment of the renal tumour e.g., ablation, radiotherapy

Treatment and study plan

MRI

Diagnostic Test

Participants undergo an additional MRI scan using novel MRI sequences

Primary outcomes

  1. Diagnostic accuracy of proton density fat fraction (PDFF) to differentiate different histological subtypes of renal tumours.

    Time frame: 1 year

    PDFF mean values will be calculated for each tumour in arms 2 and 3. Following surgery the means for each histological subtype will be calculated and tested for statistical significance.

  2. Repeatability of proton density fat fraction (PDFF) measurements.

    Time frame: 1 year

    Participants in arm 3 will undergo repeat scanning with a short time interval between scans. The repeatability of PDFF measurements will be assessed using within subject standard deviation, repeatability coefficients and Bland-Altman analysis.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University College, London

Other

Collaborators

  • Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  • University College London Hospitals

Registry information

Official study title

A Two Site Pilot Study of Functional and Microstructural Imaging Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Renal Tumours

Acronym: RIM

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Sep 15, 2025
Registry last updated
Sep 15, 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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