Pilot Study to Evaluate Photoacoustic Imaging in Head and Neck Cancer
This research is looking into a new way to image lymph nodes in people with head and neck cancer. This special imaging, called photoacoustic imaging, helps doctors see changes in these nodes during radiotherapy, which might also include chemotherapy. The main aim is to find out if the information gathered from these images can show how well the treatment is working over time. The study will follow up to 50 participants, imaging their lymph nodes several times during their treatment. Doctors hope that by understanding these changes better, they can learn more about how treatments affect cancer and potentially improve how they monitor patients in the future.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This study is focused on a type of cancer called head and neck cancer. When someone has this cancer, it often involves lymph nodes – these are small, bean-shaped glands that are part of your body's immune system. The main treatment for this type of cancer is often radiotherapy, sometimes combined with chemotherapy.
The researchers are using a new type of imaging technology called photoacoustic imaging. This isn't like a standard X-ray or ultrasound. They want to see if this special scan can detect physical and biological changes in the lymph nodes during treatment. The idea is that these changes might give doctors an early sign of how well the cancer is responding to the radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
By understanding these changes better, doctors hope to learn more about how head and neck cancer reacts to treatment. This could eventually help them predict how effective a treatment might be for individual patients. For this study, they will compare the results from the photoacoustic imaging with standard MRI scans, which doctors already use to see how much cancer has shrunk after treatment.
Key takeaways
- Researchers are exploring a new scan for head and neck cancer.
- It uses 'photoacoustic imaging' to look at lymph nodes during treatment.
- The goal is to see if these scans can predict how well treatment is working.
- Patients will have extra scans during their radiotherapy.
- This study aims to improve future cancer care, not change current treatment.
- Participation involves about 5 special scans over 7 weeks.
Who may be eligible?
To join this study, you would need to have head and neck cancer that hasn't been treated yet with your first-line therapy, and you're about to start radiotherapy. Doctors need to be able to measure your cancer using an ultrasound or MRI scan. You'd also need to be generally well enough to manage daily activities, have a life expectancy of at least six months, and have healthy blood, liver, and kidney function.
However, you wouldn't be able to join if you've already had chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or major surgery within the last four weeks, or if you're still recovering from side effects of earlier treatments. You also can't be taking part in other experimental drug studies or have cancer that has spread to your brain. Certain conditions or past treatments, especially previous radiotherapy to the same area, might also prevent you from joining.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Do you have head and neck cancer that hasn't been treated yet?
- Are you about to start radiotherapy, possibly with chemotherapy?
- Are you generally well enough to go about your daily life?
- Do you have healthy blood, liver, and kidney function?
- Have you *not* had recent chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or major surgery?
- Are you *not* currently in another experimental drug study?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, a research nurse or doctor will check if you are suitable for the study. If you are, you'll need to give your written permission before any scans. Your lymph nodes will then be scanned using the special photoacoustic imaging system. This will happen five times over the course of your radiotherapy treatment, which can last up to seven weeks.
About 10 to 12 weeks after your radiotherapy and chemotherapy are finished, you'll have a standard MRI scan, just like other patients, to check how well the treatment worked. Doctors will look at the size of your lymph nodes on this MRI to see if your cancer has responded to the treatment. All your medical information will be kept private and anonymised, meaning your name won't be linked to your study data. The study plans to involve up to 50 people.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences CentreVerified postcodeToronto, Canada· Recruiting
Common questions
What is photoacoustic imaging?
It's a new type of scan that uses light and sound waves to create detailed images of tissues inside your body, helping doctors see things they might not see with other scans.
Will this study change my cancer treatment?
No, your radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment will continue as planned by your doctors. This study is simply adding extra scans to gather more information.
How many times will I need to be scanned?
You'll have the special photoacoustic imaging scan 5 times during your radiotherapy treatment, which could last up to 7 weeks total.
Will I know the results of my photoacoustic scans?
The information from these scans is for research purposes, to better understand how the technology works. Your standard MRI results after treatment will be discussed with you by your usual care team.
Is the photoacoustic imaging safe?
Yes, it is considered safe. The researchers don't expect any side effects from these scans, but they will carefully monitor and record everything.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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