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Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Followed by Surgical Stabilization for Patients With Unstable Spinal Metastases

Phase 1
Completed
Conditions
Neoplasm Metastasis
Interventions
Procedure: BLEND
Registration Number
NCT02622841
Lead Sponsor
UMC Utrecht
Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and safety of combining stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and pedicle screw fixation in a 48-hour window for the treatment of painful unstable metastases of the thoracic and/or lumbar spine.

Detailed Description

Rationale: Sixty-five percent of cancer patients with terminal illness have bone metastases, with debilitating pain as devastating consequence. The spine is the most common location for bone metastases. Spinal cord compression is present in 10% of patients with vertebral metastases and aggravates pain and performance status even further. Standard treatment of unstable vertebral metastases consists of stabilizing surgery, followed by external beam radiotherapy (8 Gy) after two weeks. Although this approach is effective in 60-70% of patients, it is has several downsides. Firstly, because of the two weeks interval between surgery and external beam radiotherapy, necessary for sufficient wound healing, it takes a long time before radiotherapy induced pain relief is achieved. Scatter artifacts on planning computed tomography images caused by surgical implants prohibit high-resolution imaging and accurate targeting of the lesion. Multiple hospital visits (+/- 10) are needed for administration of external beam irradiation, and in about 30-40% of patients no adequate pain response is achieved. An alternative treatment strategy, which would lead to faster pain relief in a higher proportion of patients with less hospital visits, would be highly desirable from the patient's perspective.

Objective: To assess the feasibility and safety of combining stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and pedicle screw fixation in a 48-hour window for the treatment of painful unstable metastases of the thoracic and/or lumbar spine.

Study design: Prospective case series (13), first in man study, Phase I and II a study according to the IDEAL recommendations

Study population: All patients, male and female, with impending spinal stability requiring radiation therapy and surgical intervention at the University Medical Center Utrecht

Main study parameters/endpoints: The main outcome of this study is safety of the combined procedure, defined as grade 3 or higher treatment-induced toxicity according to common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTC-AE) 4.0 as a result of the procedure within 60 days after the surgery.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
13
Inclusion Criteria
  • Painful metastases from solid tumors in the thoracic or lumbar spine needing surgical stabilization
  • Histologic proof of malignancy
  • Radiographic evidence of spinal metastases
  • Karnofsky performance status ≤ 50
  • Written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
  • Multiple spinal metastases necessitating bridging more than five vertebral levels during surgery
  • Previous surgery or radiotherapy to index lesion
  • stereotactic body radiotherapy cannot be delivered (Bilsky score 2 and 3)
  • Neurological deficits (ASIA C, B or A)
  • Partial neurological deficits (ASIA D) with rapid progression (hours to days)
  • Inability to lie flat on table for stereotactic body radiotherapy
  • Non-ambulatory patients
  • Patient in hospice or with < 3 months life expectancy
  • Medically inoperable or patient refused surgery

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
BLENDBLENDCombination of stereotactic bodyradiotherapy and surgical stabilization within 48 hours for the treatment of unstable spinal metastases.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Occurrence of adverse eventsfirst 90 days post treatment

Occurrence of adverse events grade 3/4 according to the common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE) 4.0

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pain responsefirst 90 days post treatment

Measurement of pain response to combined therapy according to consensus guidelines

Duration of pain relieffirst 90 days post treatment

Measurement of duration of pain relief

Rapidity of pain relieffirst 90 days post treatment

Measurement of rapidity of pain relief

Hospital stayfirst 90 days post treatment

Measurement of length of hospital stay

Early mortalityFirst 30 days post treatment

Measurement of 30 days mortality

Neurological statusFirst 90 days post treatment

Measurement of neurological deterioration

Quality of lifefirst 90 days post treatment

Evaluation of quality of life

SurvivalTime from inclusion until date of death from any cause assessed up to 100 months

Overall survival

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Medical Center Utrecht

🇳🇱

Utrecht, Netherlands

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