Proton Therapy for Cancer
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial examines the side effects of proton therapy, a type of radiation treatment, to help predict and manage potential risks for future patients. Participants will undergo regular assessments to track any side effects during and after treatment. This information could enhance understanding of the long-term benefits of proton therapy. Patients scheduled for proton therapy at UT M.D. Anderson are suitable for this trial, provided they can attend follow-up visits. As a Phase 2 trial, this research measures the effectiveness of proton therapy in an initial, smaller group, offering participants a chance to contribute to important findings.
Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.
What prior data suggests that proton therapy is safe?
Research has shown that proton therapy is generally safe and well-tolerated. Studies have found that it effectively targets tumors while reducing the risk of side effects by delivering less radiation to the rest of the body compared to some other treatments.
For example, one study found that proton therapy reduced side effects while still achieving similar cure rates. Another analysis confirmed that proton therapy often results in better safety outcomes compared to traditional radiation. Even for patients with existing health issues, proton therapy has been considered safe.
These findings suggest that proton therapy is a promising option with a good safety record for many patients.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Unlike traditional radiation therapy options like X-ray radiation, proton therapy is unique because it uses protons to precisely target tumors, which can minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Researchers are excited about this treatment as it offers the potential for fewer side effects and improved long-term outcomes for patients. This precision is particularly beneficial in treating tumors located near critical organs or in pediatric patients, where sparing healthy tissue is crucial.
What evidence suggests that proton therapy is effective for reducing side effects?
Research has shown that proton therapy, a type of radiation treatment, effectively treats cancer. Studies have found that proton therapy accurately targets cancer cells, protecting nearby healthy tissue. This precision can lead to fewer side effects compared to traditional radiation treatments. Proton therapy remains safe for patients with poor lung function without compromising its effectiveness against cancer. Overall, this treatment offers hope for better patient outcomes by reducing side effects and improving recovery chances. Participants in this trial will undergo standard-of-care proton therapy and will be assessed for toxicities while completing questionnaires to evaluate their experiences and outcomes.16789
Who Is on the Research Team?
Steven J Frank
Principal Investigator
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants undergo standard of care proton therapy and are assessed for toxicities weekly during treatment
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for acute toxicities and symptom burden up to 90 days after treatment
Long-term follow-up
Participants are monitored for late toxicities annually after the initial follow-up period
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Proton Therapy
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Patients undergoing standard of care proton therapy are assessed for toxicities weekly during proton treatment, then from 1 to 3 times up to 90 days from the start of treatment and annually thereafter. Patients also complete questionnaires over 15-20 minutes at baseline, weekly during treatment, and every 2 weeks during follow up for up to 3 months.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Clinical Outcomes of Pencil Beam Scanning Proton ...
PBSPT appears to be an effective and safe treatment technique even for patients with poor lung function, and it does not jeopardize LRC.
Proton Therapy: Current Status and Controversies
Proton therapy is categorically an exciting technology with considerable potential to improve outcomes and widen the therapeutic ratio for patients with cancer.
Case-Matched Outcomes of Proton Beam and Intensity ...
The data from 334 patients treated with conventionally fractionated (79.2 GyRBE in 44 fractions) PBT or IMRT were retrospectively analyzed.
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cancer.gov
cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/proton-therapy-safety-versus-traditional-radiationIs Proton Therapy Safer than Traditional Radiation? - NCI
After 3 years, 46% of patients in the proton therapy group and 49% of those in the traditional radiation therapy group were cancer free. Fifty- ...
Proton Therapy
Proton therapy, also known as proton beam therapy, is a radiation treatment that precisely delivers a beam of protons to disrupt and destroy tumor cells.
Outcomes of Proton Beam Therapy Compared With ...
Proton therapy has the potential to reduce adverse events while maintaining equivalent cure rates. This is due to the decreased integral dose and improved dose ...
A Prospective Pilot Study of Pencil Beam Scanning Proton ...
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton radiation therapy (RT) in trimodality therapy for esophageal cancer.
Efficacy and Safety in Proton Therapy and Photon ...
This meta-analysis evaluates whether proton therapy is associated with better efficacy and safety outcomes, including dosimetry, prognosis, ...
Recent progress in pencil beam scanning FLASH proton therapy
This review summarizes of recent developments in PBS FLASH proton therapy (FLASH-PT), including PBS dose rate characterization, current delivery limitations, ...
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