Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Shortened High-dose Palliative Radiotherapy for Lung Cancer

This study, called SHiP-Rt, is for people with advanced lung cancer. It's investigating if a new way of giving radiotherapy can be shorter and just as effective as the current standard treatment. Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to shrink tumours and help with symptoms like pain or breathing difficulties. The new treatment involves giving a slightly higher dose of radiotherapy over 6 sessions, rather than 12, potentially reducing the overall time spent in hospital. Researchers want to ensure this quicker approach is safe and helps patients feel better. This is not a study about curing cancer, but about improving quality of life and managing symptoms using modern radiotherapy techniques.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Enrolment target

Start

27 Nov 2024

Estimated completion

30 Jun 2027

Stage IV Lung Cancer

What is this study about?

When someone has advanced lung cancer, treatment often focuses on managing symptoms and improving comfort. One common treatment is radiotherapy, which uses high-energy rays to shrink tumours. This can help with things like pain, coughing, or breathlessness. The usual way to give this radiotherapy is over a period of about 16 days, with 12 separate treatment sessions.

This new study, called SHiP-Rt, is looking at whether we can make this radiotherapy course much shorter. Instead of 12 sessions over 16 days, they want to see if giving a slightly higher dose over just 6 sessions, spread out every other day, is just as safe and effective. The goal is to see if this quicker treatment helps patients feel better and manage their symptoms, while also potentially reducing the number of hospital visits.

The researchers will be using all the latest planning and delivery techniques for radiotherapy to make sure the treatment is as accurate and safe as possible. They want to find out if this new, more convenient schedule can offer similar benefits to patients as the current standard treatment. It's important to remember that this study is about easing symptoms and improving quality of life, not about finding a cure.

Key takeaways

This study compares standard radiotherapy with a new, shorter treatment for advanced lung cancer.
The aim is to help manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
It uses modern radiotherapy techniques for accuracy and safety.
You would either have 12 or 6 radiotherapy sessions.
Participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.

Who may be eligible?

This study is for adults aged 18 and over who have a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer that has either spread locally or to other parts of the body (this is called stage IV cancer). You might be suitable if you haven't had any treatment for your cancer yet, or if you've had some initial treatment (like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy) and your cancer hasn't worsened significantly.

For you to be considered, your doctor must believe you are healthy enough to receive the standard high-dose palliative radiotherapy. You'll also need to sign a consent form to show you understand and agree to take part. If you've had initial treatment, there needs to be a short break (about 3-4 weeks) before starting radiotherapy on this study. If you haven't had any treatment, you should be able to start your main cancer treatment within 3-4 weeks of joining the study.

There are also some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you have a medical reason that makes lung radiotherapy unsafe for you, or if you've already had radiotherapy to the same area being treated in this study. You also wouldn't be eligible if you have more than one active cancer, are taking certain medications for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, or if your doctors think your life expectancy is less than 6 months. It's also important that you would be able to attend all study appointments.

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 stage IIIB, IIIC, or IV non-small cell lung cancer?
Have you had no prior treatment for this cancer, or only one round of initial treatment (like chemo or immunotherapy) where your cancer hasn't worsened significantly?
Are you able to start your main cancer treatment within 3-4 weeks if you haven't started already, or had a 3-4 week break since your last treatment?
Have you NOT had radiotherapy to your chest previously for this lung cancer?
Do your doctors think you can handle high-dose palliative radiotherapy?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you'll either receive the standard radiotherapy treatment (12 sessions over about 16 days) or the new, shorter treatment (6 sessions every other day). Your study doctor will explain which treatment you would receive. Both treatments involve attending the hospital for your radiotherapy sessions.

Before you start, you'll have appointments for planning your radiotherapy, which might include scans. During your treatment, the hospital team will monitor you closely to see how you're responding and if you're experiencing any side effects. After your radiotherapy is finished, you'll have follow-up appointments to check on your health and how well the treatment has worked to manage your symptoms. The total duration of your participation will involve the treatment period itself, plus ongoing check-ups as determined by your care team, to monitor the long-term effects.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study means you would be receiving radiotherapy which, like all medical treatments, carries potential benefits and risks. The potential benefits include shrinkage of your tumour and relief from symptoms like pain or breathing difficulties, which could improve your quality of life. The aim of this new shorter radiotherapy schedule is to offer similar benefits with fewer hospital visits. Potential risks of radiotherapy can include side effects such as tiredness, skin changes, or temporary inflammation in the lungs or gullet, which your medical team will discuss with you. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (4)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Verified postcode
Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire
Verified postcode
Coventry, United Kingdom
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Birmingham, United Kingdom
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
Verified postcode
Shrewsbury, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to shrink tumours and help with symptoms like pain or trouble breathing.

What is the main goal of this study?

The main goal is to find out if a shorter, more intense course of palliative radiotherapy is as safe and effective as the standard treatment for managing lung cancer symptoms.

Will this study cure my cancer?

No, this study is focused on improving symptoms and quality of life for people with advanced lung cancer, not on finding a cure.

How many times would I need to go to the hospital for treatment?

You would either have 12 sessions over about 2.5 weeks (standard) or 6 sessions every other day (new shorter treatment).

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes, you can leave the study at any time without it affecting your medical care.