Radiation Oncology

Below are current clinical trials.

Filter this list of studies by location, status and more.

1. Chemotherapy Alone or Chemotherapy Plus Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Undergoing Surgery

   Rochester, Minn., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   The standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer involves chemotherapy and radiation, known as 5FUCMT, (the chemotherapy drugs 5-fluorouracil/capecitabine and radiation therapy) prior to surgery. Although radiation therapy to the pelvis has been a standard and important part of treatment for rectal cancer and has been shown to decrease the risk of the cancer coming back in the same area in the pelvis, some patients experience undesirable side effects from the radiation and there have been important advances in chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation which may be of benefit. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects, both good and bad, of the standard treatment of chemotherapy and radiation to chemotherapy using a combination regimen known as FOLFOX, (the drugs 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), oxaliplatin and leucovorin) and selective use of the standard treatment, depending on response to the FOLFOX. The drugs in the FOLFOX regimen are all FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved and have been used routinely to treat patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

2. A Study to Evaluate Contouring Organs at Risk for Treatment Planning

   Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz., Jacksonville, Fla., Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to determine:  if the artificial intelligence (AI)-generated results are less arduous than manual tracing by radiation oncologist, and the non-inferiority of the quality of AI vs. manual tracing.  These aims will be evaluated in a clinical environment to investigate the impact of an AI algorithm on the clinical workflow. 

   Radiotherapy treatment planning requires precise calculations of radiation exposure, not only for the target volumes (tissue containing malignancy), but of nearby organs-at-risk (OARs), in which the exposure needs to be minimized. Manual segmentation of these organs is a time-consuming task with high interobserver variability. Producing these segmentations automatically will reduce the time required for treatment planning and improve the interobserver variability.

3. A Study to Determine the Best Individualized Cancer Therapy Using Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) in Patients with GI, CNS, and Thoracic Cancers.

   Jacksonville, Fla.

   This study proposes to develop and maintain a biorepository of blood samples collected from patients receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer, locally advanced pancreatic cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, or cervical cancer. The ultimate goal of this biorepository will be to provide the resource to initiate an exploration of ctDNA as a potential liquid biopsy for GI and Thoracic malignancy detection and surveillance.

4. A Study of Proton Radiation Divided into Fewer Doses for Low Risk Prostate Cancer

   Rochester, Minn., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   The purpose of this study is to compare the effects (good and bad) on patients with prostate cancer by comparing the standard dose of radiation therapy (44 treatments over 8½-9 weeks) with a higher daily dose of radiation (5 treatments over 1-2 weeks) to see if the effects of the treatments are similar or better.

5. Randomized Phase II/III Trial of Adjuvant Radiation Therapy with Cisplatin, Docetaxel-Cetuximab, or Cisplatin-Atezolizumab in Pathologic High-Risk Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck

   Rochester, Minn.

   This randomized phase II/III trial studies how well radiation therapy works when given together with cisplatin compared to docetaxel or cetuximab and docetaxel after surgery in treating patients with stage III-IV squamous cell head and neck cancer. Specialized radiation therapy that delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the tumor may kill more tumor cells and cause less damage to normal tissue. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin and docetaxel, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or transmit tumor killing molecules to them. It is not yet known whether radiation therapy is more effective when given with cisplatin, docetaxel, or cetuximab and docetaxel.

6. A Study to Evaluate Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) and Immunophenotyping as Potential Biomarkers in Patients Undergoing Regional Nodal Irradiation for Breast Cancer

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to estimate the circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)detection rate and mutational load in breast cancer patients with indications for regional nodal irradiation.

7. Memantine Hydrochloride and Whole-Brain Radiotherapy With or Without Hippocampal Avoidance in Reducing Neurocognitive Decline in Patients With Brain Metastases

   Mankato, Minn., La Crosse, Wis., Eau Claire, Wis., Rochester, Minn., Albert Lea, Minn.

   This randomized phase III trial compares memantine hydrochloride and whole-brain radiotherapy with or without hippocampal avoidance in reducing neurocognitive decline in patients with cancer that has spread from the primary site (place where it started) to the brain. Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is the most common treatment for brain metastasis. Unfortunately, the majority of patients with brain metastases experience cognitive (such as learning and memory) deterioration after WBRT. Memantine hydrochloride may enhance cognitive function by binding to and inhibiting channels of receptors located in the central nervous system. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Using radiation techniques, such as intensity modulated radiotherapy to avoid the hippocampal region during WBRT, may reduce the radiation dose to the hippocampus and help limit the radiation-induced cognitive decline. It is not yet known whether giving memantine hydrochloride and WBRT with or without hippocampal avoidance works better in reducing neurocognitive decline in patients with brain metastases.

8. A Study of Performing Surgery for Resectable Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma After Radiation Therapy

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to assess the possibility, safety, and therapeutic effect of administering a short, quick course of high-dose radiation treatment focused on half of the chest, followed by surgery to remove that portion of the lungs, in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.  

9. Evaluating Highly Flexible (aka AIR) RF Coils for Patients Undergoing MR Imaging for Radiation Therapy Planning

   Rochester, Minn.

   To assess the quality of images obtained with a new RF (AIR) coil when compared to those obtained using FDA approved RF coils of patients undergoing MR imaging for radiation therapy treatment planning.

10. A Study of Standard Systemic Therapy with or without Definitive Treatment in Treating Participants with Metastatic Prostate Cancer

    Rochester, Minn., La Crosse, Wis., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

    The purpose of this study is to evaouate how well standard systemic therapy with or without definitive treatment (prostate removal surgery or radiation therapy) works in treating participants with prostate cancer that has spread to other places in the body.