Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Contribution of the VERITON-CT Camera in Prostate Bone Radiostereotaxy

This study is exploring a new way to plan very precise radiation treatment for men with prostate cancer that has spread to their bones. Normally, doctors use scans like CT or MRI to guide this treatment. This study uses a special full-body scan called SPECT/CT, done with a VERITON-CT camera, to get a clearer picture of the bone spots. The aim is to see if adding this SPECT/CT information helps doctors plan the radiation treatment even more accurately. Researchers will compare treatment plans made with and without the SPECT/CT images to find out if it makes a difference. Patients will receive their usual care, with the added benefit of these extra scans.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Centre Henri Becquerel

Enrolment target

Start

15 Jun 2024

Estimated completion

15 Jun 2027

Prostatic Cancer

What is this study about?

This study is for men who have prostate cancer that has spread to their bones. Sometimes, these cancer cells in the bones can be treated with a special kind of radiation therapy. This treatment is very precise, meaning it focuses radiation directly on the cancer cells while trying to protect the healthy surrounding areas. To do this, doctors need very clear pictures of where the cancer is located.

Currently, doctors mainly use scans like CT and MRI to plan this precise radiation. This study is testing if a newer type of full-body scan, called a SPECT/CT, can make this planning even better. The SPECT/CT uses a small amount of a safe tracing substance injected into your body, which helps highlight areas in your bones where the cancer might be. This scan will be done using a special camera called VERITON-CT.

The main goal is to see if having these detailed SPECT/CT images helps doctors create even more accurate treatment plans for the radiation. The researchers will take the SPECT/CT images, then create two radiation plans for each patient: one using the usual methods, and one that also includes the information from the SPECT/CT scan. By comparing these plans, they hope to understand if the SPECT/CT helps pinpoint the treatment areas more effectively. Your regular cancer care will continue as normal throughout the study.

Key takeaways

Study for men with prostate cancer that has spread to bones.
Investigates a new scan (SPECT/CT) to improve radiation planning.
Your usual cancer care continues, with extra scans.
Aims for more precise radiation treatment targeting.
Involves an initial SPECT/CT and two follow-up scans over 6 months.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for men aged 18 or older who have prostate cancer that has spread to their bones. You should generally be in good health and able to give your informed consent, meaning you understand the study and agree to take part. You also need to be covered by the social security system in the UK.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you've had another active cancer in the last three years, or if you're unable to lie flat for the scans. You also can't take part if you're allergic to the tracing substance used in the SPECT/CT scan, or if the bone area needing treatment has already had radiation therapy before.

Finally, if you might have difficulty attending appointments for medical reasons, or if you are an adult under guardianship (meaning someone else legally makes decisions for you), you wouldn't be able to join this study.

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.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have prostate cancer that has spread to your bones?
Are you generally in good health?
Can you lie down flat for an extended period for scans?
Have you not had radiation to the bone area needing treatment before?
Are you covered by a social security system?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, your treatment and follow-up for prostate cancer will continue as usual. As part of the study, you'll have some extra scans. This includes an initial SPECT/CT scan of your bones, which will be done in a special position, similar to how you would lie for your radiation treatment. This involves an injection of a small, safe tracing substance. You'll also have your routine CT and MRI scans.

Later, you'll have your usual CT scan to plan your radiation treatment. During this scan, the same special mattress system used during the SPECT/CT will be used to ensure you are in the correct position. Following your initial treatment, you will have two more whole-body SPECT/CT scans at 3 and 6 months after treatment to monitor your progress.

Throughout the study, special medical experts will look at your scan images. The study won't change your actual radiation treatment plan, which will be decided by your care team using standard methods. This study is about helping researchers learn, not about changing your direct care. The total duration of your active participation with extra scans will be about 6 months.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer the benefit of contributing to our understanding of how to better plan prostate cancer bone radiation treatment in the future. You will receive extra detailed scans which might provide more information, although this additional information will not directly change your immediate treatment plan in this study. The main risks involve the very small risk of an allergic reaction to the tracing substance used in the SPECT/CT scan, and the minor discomfort of lying still for the scans. As with any medical procedure involving radiation, there's a very small exposure to radiation from the scans, but medical staff take every precaution to keep this as low as possible. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

Locations (1)

Centre Henri Becquerel
Verified postcode
Rouen, France

Common questions

What is stereotactic radiotherapy?

It's a very precise type of radiation treatment that delivers high doses to small targets, like cancer spots in your bones, while protecting healthy tissue nearby.

What is a SPECT/CT scan?

It's a special scan that combines two types of imaging. It uses a small amount of a safe tracing substance injected into your body to show areas of activity, which is then paired with a standard CT scan for detailed anatomy.

Will my treatment change if I join the study?

No, your actual radiation treatment plan will be made by your doctors using standard methods. The study is about collecting extra information to see if this new scan could help improve planning in the future.

How many times will I need to visit for scans?

You will have an initial SPECT/CT scan, your routine CT and MRI, a planning CT scan, and then two follow-up SPECT/CT scans at 3 and 6 months after your treatment.

What is the VERITON-CT?

It's the specific type of scanner camera used to perform the SPECT/CT images in this research study.

How to find out more

Arnaud Dieudonne, PhD

arnaud.dieudonne@chb-unicancer.fr +33232082254 Official trial record

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