Clinical Research Directory

Using Reiki Therapy to Improve Symptoms Associated With Brachytherapy in Patients With Gynecological Malignancies

The goal of this open label, randomized, controlled clinical trial is to assess the benefits of providing Reiki therapy to subjects receiving their first brachytherapy treatment for gynecological malignancies. Participants will either receive a session of Reiki therapy or usual care during the standard wait time between the placement of the brachytherapy device and brachytherapy treatment. Questionnaires will be administered at various time points on the day of the participant's first brachytherapy treatment as well as at the three month follow-up time point. Researchers will compare the intervention (Reiki therapy) and control (usual care) groups to assess the impact of the Reiki therapy on anxiety, pain, state anxiety, depression, and physiological measurements.

PRO-BOOST-N: Prostate-First Versus Combined Prostate and Nodal Dose Escalation in PSMA PET-Staged Node-Positive Prostate Cancer

Patients with prostate cancer and pelvic lymph node involvement (cN1M0) identified on PSMA PET imaging represent a biologically aggressive yet potentially curable disease population. Contemporary management relies on multimodality treatment combining definitive radiotherapy to the prostate and pelvic lymph nodes with long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), often intensified with androgen receptor pathway inhibitors. Despite these advances, a substantial proportion of patients still develop distant metastatic disease, highlighting the need to optimize local-regional treatment strategies in the era of molecular imaging. The introduction of PSMA PET has fundamentally altered staging accuracy in prostate cancer, enabling earlier and more precise detection of pelvic nodal disease. However, most existing evidence guiding radiotherapy dose prescription in node-positive prostate cancer originates from the pre-PSMA era. As a result, it remains unclear how best to integrate prostate-directed and nodal-directed dose escalation strategies when disease extent is defined by modern molecular imaging. In particular, it is unknown whether long-term disease control is primarily driven by durable intraprostatic tumor eradication, by aggressive treatment of involved lymph nodes, or by a combination of both. PRO-BOOST-N is a prospective, multicenter, randomized phase II/III clinical trial designed to address this critical evidence gap. The trial evaluates prostate-first versus combined prostate and nodal dose escalation strategies in patients with PSMA PET-staged node-positive (cN1M0) prostate cancer treated within a standardized ultrahypofractionated whole-pelvis radiotherapy framework. All enrolled patients indicated for definitive treatment undergo mandatory baseline PSMA PET/CT to confirm pelvic lymph node involvement and exclude distant metastatic disease. All patients receive a uniform radiotherapy backbone consisting of ultrahypofractionated whole-pelvis radiotherapy delivered in five fractions, combined with long-term ADT. Use of androgen receptor pathway inhibitors is permitted and encouraged according to contemporary clinical practice and local availability, ensuring the relevance of the trial to real-world treatment settings. Using a 2×2 factorial randomized design, PRO-BOOST-N evaluates two independent treatment factors. The primary randomized comparison assesses whether ablative prostate dose escalation improves oncologic outcomes compared with contemporary SBRT-based definitive prostate radiotherapy without additional boost. Prostate dose escalation may be delivered using one of three protocol-defined modalities-high-dose-rate brachytherapy, low-dose-rate brachytherapy, or single-fraction SBRT-according to institutional expertise. This comparison directly tests the hypothesis that durable intraprostatic disease control is the dominant determinant of long-term systemic disease suppression in node-positive prostate cancer. The key secondary, hierarchically tested comparison evaluates the role of nodal dose escalation by comparing two predefined dose levels delivered to PSMA PET-positive pelvic lymph nodes. These dose levels reflect intermediate versus higher nodal boost strategies based on biologically effective dose concepts specific to prostate cancer radiobiology. To ensure patient safety and protocol feasibility, organ-at-risk-driven nodal dose de-escalation is permitted within the higher-dose arm, without altering randomization assignment. The primary endpoint of the trial is metastasis-free survival. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, radiographic progression-free survival assessed primarily using PSMA PET imaging, intraprostatic and regional nodal control, time to castration-resistant prostate cancer, time to next systemic therapy, treatment-related toxicity graded according to CTCAE version 5.0, and patient-reported outcomes assessing urinary, bowel, sexual, and global quality of life. By prospectively and hierarchically evaluating prostate and nodal dose escalation strategies within a modern PSMA PET-guided and ultrahypofractionated radiotherapy platform, PRO-BOOST-N aims to define the optimal radiotherapy intensification approach for patients with node-positive prostate cancer. The results of this study are expected to directly inform clinical practice, guideline development, and future treatment individualization in the PSMA PET era.

Impact of an Educational Physiotherapy-Yoga Intervention on Perceived Stress in Women Treated With Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer

Every year in France, nearly 3,000 women develop a cervical cancer. The average age of women diagnosed is 51. Uterovaginal brachytherapy is one of the reference treatments. To allow this treatment, an applicator is first placed under general anaesthesia in the vaginal zone. Then, the pulsed Dose Rate (PDR) or high dose rate (HDR) uterovaginal brachytherapy requires 2-5 days hospitalization in an isolated room. Uterovaginal brachytherapy requires strict bed rest without movements allowed for the pelvic area until the applicator is removed. Prolonged immobilization, the context of the illness and the intimacy of the area to be treated are all recognized sources of anxiety. According to a study, 40% of patients have post-traumatic stress at 3 months of treatment. A Danish team highlights the significant decrease in physical capacity during and after treatment. Thus, as a recent literature review concludes, there is a real need to develop Non-Pharmacological-Interventions (NPI) to limit the aftereffects. It also seems important to provide support for self-management of symptoms. Among NPI of interest, Yoga is a mind-body practice that can decrease perceived stress. A systematic review confirms that yoga can reduce stress during cancer treatment. This underlines the importance of proposing this practice for patients treated for all types of cancers and further evaluations on the effects of respiratory and meditation exercises. Another team showed the feasibility of respiratory exercise intervention in patients undergoing chemotherapy while also talking about mental health benefits. Finally, a reduction in perceived stress was achieved in women treated with radiotherapy for breast cancer through yoga intervention. A lot of work has been done with promising results without the result of a consensus applicable to all care situations. Moreover, educational requirements are high in women treated to gynecological cancer. Meeting these needs helps to improve quality of life, pain management and drug use. Integrating Patient Educational Project (PEP) therefore seems relevant as an additional tool in patient empowerment. In addition, the fact that a combined Physiotherapy-Yoga-PEP intervention is feasible in women treated for breast cancer allows us to offer adjusted version in patients with brachytherapy. The literature review thus invites us to propose the educational intervention Kine-Yoga-PEP in the very particular context of brachytherapy.

Clinical Study Protocol for Cutaneous SCC for Immunocompromised Patients

This is a multi-center clinical study enrolling up to 28 participants. The primary objectives are to determine the objective response rate (ORR) established by the confirmed best overall response (BOR) following intratumoral administration of DaRT - Diffusing Alpha-Emitters Radiation Therapy. Secondary objectives are to: 1. Determine Progression Free Survival (PFS) up to 12 months after Alpha DaRT sources insertion. 2. Assess Overall Survival (OS) of patients treated with DaRT up to 12 months. 3. Assess Local control up to 12 months after DaRT insertion.

This is a Multicentre International Study Evaluating CT-based IGABT With / Without Either TRUS During BT/Pre BT MR as Per IBS-GECESTRO-ABS Recommendations for Target contouring-as an Alternative to MRIGABT for Cervical Cancer From Implementation Perspectives Under EMBRACE-III:TRIPLET IMPACT Study.

Title: Integration of Multi-modality Imaging Protocols with Emphasis on CT in Image-Guided Adaptive Brachytherapy (IGABT) for Cervical Cancer - EMBRACE III-TRIPLET : IMPACT Study Locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) remains a major health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which account for the majority of global cases. The standard curative treatment involves a combination of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with concurrent chemotherapy, followed by brachytherapy (BT). Brachytherapy plays a crucial role in achieving high local control by delivering radiation directly to the tumour through internally placed radioactive sources. Historically, BT dose prescription was based on two-dimensional (2D) X-ray images and defined anatomical "points," achieving 5-year local control rates of 60-70%. Over the last decade, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (MR-IGABT) has transformed practice by enabling three-dimensional (3D) target-based dose prescription and adaptation to tumour regression. The landmark EMBRACE I study, involving over 1300 patients, demonstrated over 90% 5-year local control rates with MR-IGABT, establishing it as the international gold standard endorsed by NCG, ICRU, NCCN, and ESGO-ESTRO guidelines. However, MRI-based planning for IGABT remains logistically and financially challenging for many centres, especially in LMICs. CT and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) have emerged as feasible alternatives, offering broader accessibility. Despite encouraging outcomes from smaller institutional studies, the lack of standardized and validated target delineation concepts for CT-IGABT has led to significant variability in clinical implementation. Recognizing this, the Indian Brachytherapy Society (IBS), American Brachytherapy Society (ABS), and GEC-ESTRO jointly published consensus recommendations in 2020 to standardize CT-IGABT practices across diverse clinical environments. At Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Visakhapatnam, our prior work (RetroLACER Study) demonstrated that CT-based IGABT can achieve outcomes comparable to MR-IGABT, highlighting its feasibility and potential for wider adoption. Building on this foundation, the EMBRACE III-IMPACT Study seeks to evaluate whether CT-IGABT can be systematically and uniformly implemented in a multi-centre setting and to benchmark clinical outcomes against the standards set by MR-IGABT. Study Design: This is a multicentre, prospective, observational study planned to include approximately 1200 participants with locally advanced cervical cancer. All participants will receive standard-of-care treatment, including EBRT, concurrent weekly cisplatin chemotherapy, and brachytherapy with image-guided planning. Objectives: To assess the feasibility of implementing standardized CT-IGABT protocols across diverse clinical environments. To evaluate local control, disease-free survival, and treatment-related toxicity outcomes for CT-IGABT. To compare and benchmark CT-IGABT outcomes with established MR-IGABT benchmarks from prior international studies. Participant Involvement: Participants will undergo standard diagnostic imaging, EBRT with weekly cisplatin, and brachytherapy using CT-based planning. Imaging and treatment data will be collected, anonymized, and submitted to a central database for review. Regular follow-up visits will monitor tumour control and treatment-related side effects. Benefits: Participants receive internationally standardized, quality-assured treatment protocols. Centres gain access to expert review and QA support from international collaborators, potentially improving treatment quality and outcomes. The study supports global efforts to establish CT-IGABT as a cost-effective, accessible alternative to MRI-based IGABT, expanding equitable cancer care access. Risks: The study is observational and involves standard treatment; therefore, risks and costs are comparable to routine cervical cancer care. Confidentiality and Ethics: All data will be anonymized and handled in compliance with ethical and regulatory standards. Participant confidentiality will be strictly maintained. Written informed consent will be obtained before study participation. Significance: By validating standardised CT-based protocols and establishing outcome benchmarks, the study aims to facilitate widespread adoption of IGABT in resource-limited settings, ultimately improving treatment accessibility and survival outcomes.

Ultra Hypofractionnated Radiotherapy With HDR Brachytherapy Boost.

Phase 1-2 study, comparing ultra-hypofractionnated (UH) to a moderately hypofractionnated (MH) radiation therapy, with image guided HDR prostate brachytherapy. Using iso-equivalent doses, a non-inferiority analysis will be done in order to prove UH non-inferior to MH, toxicity wise. Acceptability, tolerability, acute and late toxicity will be reported. MRI visible dominant intra-prostatic lesion will be outlines and variability between radiation oncologists and radiologists will be reported. As secondary objective, biochemical and clinical failure free survival will be reported at 5 \& 10 years.

Feasibility of the Maastro Applicator in Rectal Cancer

The goal of this interventional pilot trial is to confirm that Maastro endoluminal HDR ( High Dose Radiation) contact brachytherapy boosting is feasible and may increase the chance of functional organ sparing of the rectum in patients with rectal cancer. Participants will be treated with chemoradiotherapy and an endoluminal boost with the Maastro applicator.

High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy Salvage After Prostatectomy

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the long-term effects of HDR Brachytherapy in men with isolated local relapses after radical prostatectomy. The main question it aims to answer is: Does HDR Brachytherapy increase control rates and decreases complications compared with conventional External Irradiation? Participants will be asked to receive HDR brachytherapy as part of their regular medical care for isolated local relapses after radical prostatectomy

Brachytherapy (Iodine-125 Seeds) and Fluzoparib Combination Therapy for Advanced Unresectable Soft Tissue Sarcoma

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of radioactive particles in combination with the PARP inhibitor fluzoparib in the treatment of advanced inoperable soft tissue sarcoma.

In Vivo Treatment Verification of Brachytherapy

To acquire data during High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatments aiming to track the brachytherapy source inside the patient verifying the delivery of the treatment plan. Medical images (CT,MRI and US) combined with software developed by the investigator will be employed to predict the response of the Investigational product during the treatment and will be used as reference.The IP will be placed on the side of the treatment table and will acquire data during the whole treatment, which will be compared against information derived from the treatment plan. The IP based method can detect errors and information about motion and treatment uncertainties that are not currently available.

The Effect of Acupressure on Patients Receiving Brachytherapy

This study aimed to use acupressure to reduce anxiety in gynecologic cancer patients receiving brachytherapy. It was also aimed to investigate the effects of acupressure on anxiety, pain, and vital signs.

Watch and Wait Management on Rectal Cancer Patients Using New Swift Local Therapy

Within our institution, the principal investigator have acquired expertise in endorectal brachytherapy, a localized treatment for colorectal cancer. Until now a modality which uses an endorectal applicator has been used, which has certain limitations. In the context of this study, a new applicator will be used which is already approved by Health Canada for endorectal brachytherapy, thereby improving the participant's quality of life and optimizing treatment time.

I-125 Seeds Implantation in the Treatment of Recurrent Lung Cancer After Radiotherapy

Patients with recurrence after radiotherapy are often encountered in clinical practice.Patients with recurrence after radiotherapy are less likely to undergo surgery or secondary radiotherapy, and the guidelines recommend only systemic therapy, although the effective rate is relatively low.For patients with local recurrence without distant metastasis, local treatment is still significant.Radioactive I-125 Seed Implantation (RISI) treatment is to I-125 Radioactive nuclide directly inside the implanted tumors, make its rays to continuous destruction of tumor cells, have inside the tumor target high dose, low dose of normal tissue around, and its radiation is low dose rate, in theory, more conducive to the protection of the normal tissue, more suitable for salvage treatment of recurrence after radiotherapy lesions.Some retrospective studies on RISI treatment of NSCLC showed that the local control rate was up to 25%-80%, and there were few reports of toxic and side effects, suggesting that it had good efficiency and safety.Therefore, for patients with recurrent NSCLC after chest radiotherapy, RISI may be considered.And template technology, 3 d printing is a new kind of technology in recent years, can be individualized and human body surface, the guide posts on the the direction of the puncture needle can be accurately controlled, the current data show that in the template with CT guided by solid tumors as well had significantly higher accuracy, as the actual target dose of basic postoperative can reach the design request of the preoperative planning, so the application of 3D printing template helps to further improve the operation efficiency and safety, also has potential promotion effect to curative effect.The purpose of this study was: (1) to observe the efficacy, toxic and side effects of RISI in the treatment of recurrent NSCLC after radiotherapy under the guidance of 3D printing template assisted CT, and to evaluate its safety and effectiveness;(2) to explore the relationship between the efficacy, toxicity and side effects of RISI dose in the treatment of recurrent NSCLC after radiotherapy;(3) analyze the relevant influencing factors affecting the effect/toxicity of RISI in the treatment of recurrent NSCLC after radiotherapy.

Retrospective Study of Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy for gynecological cancers will be studied retrospectively.