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Radiation Therapy
Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy for Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Phase 2
Recruiting
Led By Devarati Mitra
Research Sponsored by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial Must have
ECOG performance status ≤3
Patients must have no evidence of distant metastasis as determined by clinical examination and any form of imaging
Must not have
Patients with distant metastases
Previous radiation therapy to the site of planned primary or nodal radiation treatment such that the prior site of treatment would be encompassed by the radiation field needed to treat the current cancer
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up up to 5 years
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group
Summary
This trial will test if it is just as effective to give a higher dose of radiation in 10 treatments as it is to give a lower dose of radiation in 25 treatments for Merkel cell carcinoma patients receiving immunotherapy.
Who is the study for?
This trial is for adults over 18 with Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) who've had surgery to remove the tumor or affected lymph nodes within the last 4 months and show no signs of cancer spread. They must be able to consent, use contraception, and have a performance status allowing daily activities with some limitations.
What is being tested?
The study tests if a shorter course of radiation therapy (3.6 Gy x 10 fractions) is as safe and effective as the standard longer course in treating MCC patients, who may also be receiving immunotherapy treatments at any stage.
What are the potential side effects?
Radiation therapy can cause skin irritation, fatigue, mild swelling around treated areas, changes in skin color or texture, hair loss at treatment site, nausea and potential late effects like fibrosis or secondary cancers.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria belowSelect...
I am capable of limited self-care.
Select...
My cancer has not spread to distant parts of my body as confirmed by tests.
Select...
I am 18 years old or older.
Exclusion Criteria
You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:Select...
My cancer has spread to distant parts of my body.
Select...
I've had radiation before in the same area where my current cancer needs treatment.
Select...
I am under 18 years old.
Timeline
Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~ up to 5 years
Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~up to 5 years
Treatment Details
Side effects data
From 2013 Phase 3 trial • 397 Patients • NCT0000405478%
Menopausal symptoms
60%
Urinary frequency
52%
Impotence
47%
Late RT Toxicity: Bladder: NOS
39%
Diarrhea NOS
27%
Late RT Toxicity: Bowel: NOS
26%
Fatigue
26%
Late RT Toxicity: Other GU: NOS
21%
Proctitis NOS
21%
Dysuria
14%
Libido decreased
14%
Dermatitis radiation NOS
12%
Late RT Toxicity: Other GI: NOS
12%
Late RT Toxicity: Other: NOS
12%
Hemoglobin decreased
12%
Alanine aminotransferase increased
9%
Gynaecomastia
8%
Urinary retention
7%
Pain-other
7%
Aspartate aminotransferase increased
6%
Rectal bleeding
6%
Constipation
6%
Leukopenia NOS
4%
Edema NOS
4%
Hematuria present
4%
Renal/GU-Other
3%
Arthralgia
3%
Blood creatinine increased
3%
Dyspnea NOS
3%
Dermatitis exfoliative NOS
2%
Depression NEC
2%
Nausea
2%
Hyperglycemia NOS
2%
Lymphopenia
2%
Myalgia
2%
Peripheral sensory neuropathy
1%
Platelet count decreased
1%
Hypocalcemia
1%
Hyponatremia
1%
Blood albumin decreased
1%
Stomatitis
1%
Weight decreased
1%
Anorexia
1%
Hematologic-Other
1%
Neutropenia
1%
Alopecia
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Hormones and RT
Hormones and RT Plus Chemotherapy
Awards & Highlights
No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.
Trial Design
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Radiation therapyExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Patients receive radiation therapy in 10 daily fractions (M-F) over 2 weeks.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Radiation therapy
2013
Completed Phase 3
~2850
Find a Location
Who is running the clinical trial?
M.D. Anderson Cancer CenterLead Sponsor
3,074 Previous Clinical Trials
1,803,295 Total Patients Enrolled
Devarati MitraPrincipal InvestigatorM.D. Anderson Cancer Center
1 Previous Clinical Trials
168 Total Patients Enrolled
Media Library
Eligibility Criteria:
This trial includes the following eligibility criteria:- I am capable of limited self-care.I had a positive lymph node biopsy and am planning radiation therapy without full lymph node removal.My cancer has spread to distant parts of my body.I had surgery to remove my primary MCC tumor less than 4 months ago and am planning radiation therapy.I have another cancer type, but it won't affect this trial's treatment.I've had radiation before in the same area where my current cancer needs treatment.I can receive immunotherapy before, during, or after radiation therapy.Patients must have a confirmed diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma through tissue or cell samples.My cancer has not spread to distant parts of my body as confirmed by tests.I am 18 years old or older.I agree to use birth control during the study.I am under 18 years old.
Research Study Groups:
This trial has the following groups:- Group 1: Radiation therapy
Awards:
This trial has 1 awards, including:- No Placebo-Only Group - All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.
Timeline:
This trial has the following timeline:- Screening: It may take up to 3 Weeks to process to see if you qualify in this trial.
- Treatment: The duration you will receive the treatment varies.
- Follow Ups: You may be asked to continue sharing information regarding the trial for 6 Months after you stop receiving the treatment.