RecruitingPHASE3INTERVENTIONAL

Lattice Radiation Therapy Versus Conventional Radiation Therapy for the Palliation of Large Tumors

This study is looking at a new way to give radiation therapy called 'Lattice' (full name: Spatially Fractionated Lattice Radiotherapy or SFRT). It's designed for people with large tumours that are causing pain or discomfort and need radiation treatment. The main goal is to find out if Lattice therapy is better at reducing pain than the usual, standard radiation therapy. Doctors will check if more patients receiving Lattice therapy report less pain or discomfort after about 30 days, using surveys and checking their need for pain medication. This is a Phase 3 trial, meaning it's a key step to see if this new approach can become a standard treatment, offering a better way to manage symptoms for cancer patients.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

PHASE3

Sponsor

University Health Network, Toronto

Enrolment target

148

Start

18 Nov 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jan 2028

Histopathologically or Cytologically Confirmed Solid Tumor Who Require Palliation Radiation Therapy to a Lesion ≥5cm

What is this study about?

This research study is about finding better ways to help people living with large tumours that are causing pain or discomfort. Often, standard radiation therapy is used to help ease these symptoms. This study is comparing that standard treatment with a newer approach called 'Lattice' radiation therapy.

Lattice therapy is an innovative way of delivering radiation. Instead of treating the whole tumour evenly, it uses very high doses of radiation in tiny, specific spots within the tumour, creating a pattern that looks a bit like a lattice. The areas around these high-dose spots, including the edges of the tumour and nearby healthy tissues, receive a much lower dose. This targeted approach is designed to be very effective at shrinking the tumour and reducing pain, while also protecting healthy organs from too much radiation. Early studies have shown promising results, with patients reporting significant pain relief and tumours shrinking dramatically.

The main aim of this study is to see if Lattice therapy is better than standard radiation at reducing pain and discomfort for people with large tumours. Doctors will carefully measure pain levels before and after treatment using questionnaires and by tracking how much pain medication people need. If Lattice therapy proves to be more effective, it could offer a new and improved way to manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for many cancer patients.

Key takeaways

Compares a new radiation technique (Lattice) with standard radiation for large painful tumours.
Aims to see if Lattice therapy offers better pain relief and symptom control.
Involves patients with solid tumours 5cm or larger, needing palliative (symptom-relieving) radiation.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups.
Pain levels and treatment side effects will be carefully monitored over 30 days and beyond.

Who may be eligible?

To be able to join this study, you would need to have been diagnosed with a solid tumour (not a blood cancer) that has been confirmed by a lab test. This tumour must be large, at least 5 centimetres (about 2 inches) across, and your doctors must feel that standard surgery or curative radiation isn't suitable, so you need radiation therapy to help with symptoms like pain.

You also need to be well enough to take part in the study, meaning you don't have severe medical conditions that would make the treatment unsafe. You must be able to understand the study and agree to take part, and be willing to fill out pain questionnaires and keep a pain diary. This study is for adults aged 18 to 99.

However, you wouldn't be able to join if you've already had radiation therapy in the exact same area, or if you need urgent surgery before radiation. Other reasons include being pregnant (or planning to become pregnant), having certain medical conditions that might interfere with the treatment, or if the tumour is too close to critical organs like your brain, heart, or spinal cord.

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.

I have a solid tumour confirmed by a lab test.
My tumour is 5 centimetres (2 inches) or larger.
My doctor says I need radiation therapy to help with symptoms like pain.
I am 18 years old or older.
I haven't had radiation to the exact same area before.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you'll first have some assessments to make sure the treatment is right for you. This will involve imaging scans (like CT or MRI) to measure your tumour and confirm its size. You'll also complete questionnaires about your pain levels and start a pain diary.

Then, you'll be randomly assigned to receive either the new Lattice radiation therapy or standard radiation therapy. This is like flipping a coin, so neither you nor your doctor will choose which treatment you get. Both treatments are given as external radiation, meaning the radiation comes from a machine outside your body.

After your treatment, you'll continue to keep a pain diary and fill out questionnaires about your pain and discomfort. These will be checked around 30 days after your treatment, and potentially for a longer period, to see how well the treatment is working. You will also have follow-up appointments to check for any side effects and to see how your tumour is responding. The total duration of your active participation, including follow-up, will depend on how your treatment progresses.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study means you might receive a new treatment that could potentially reduce your pain and discomfort more effectively than standard therapy. Early studies suggest Lattice therapy may offer significant pain relief and tumour shrinkage with potentially fewer side effects to healthy tissues. However, there's no guarantee the treatment will work for everyone, and it's also possible you could be assigned to receive the standard radiation therapy. Like all medical treatments, both types of radiation therapy carry potential risks and side effects, such as skin irritation, fatigue, or other issues depending on the treated area. The research team will monitor you closely for any side effects. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Princess Margaret Cancer Center
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'Lattice' radiation therapy?

It's a new way of giving radiation that focuses very strong doses on small spots within a tumour, while giving lower doses to surrounding areas and healthy tissue.

Why is this study important?

It aims to see if Lattice therapy can provide better pain relief for patients with large tumours compared to standard radiation, potentially offering an improved treatment option.

What kind of tumours is this study for?

This study is for people with large solid tumours from various cancers that are causing pain and need symptom-relieving radiation.

Will I know which treatment I'm getting?

No, you'll be randomly assigned to either Lattice therapy or standard therapy, like drawing lots, to ensure a fair comparison.

What happens after the treatment?

You'll have follow-up appointments, fill out pain questionnaires, and keep a pain diary to help the doctors understand how well the treatment worked for you.

How to find out more

Jelena Lukovic, MD FRCPC MPH MRMD

jelena.lukovic@uhn.ca 416 946 4483 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.