Respiratory-gated, volumetric-modulated arc therapy will be used for the clinical development of high dose rate Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) in inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These treatments should enhance local control, progression-free survival and potentially overall survival in HCC patients. The investigators will also examine the mechanism of tumour and microenvironmental response to high dose radiation, and search for potential biomarkers to optimize and individualize therapy. Pre-treatment and follow-up PET/CT imaging with 11C-choline, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and CT perfusion will examine in-vivo changes in proliferation, glycolysis, and the tumour vasculature, respectively, and blood samples will look for immunologic biomarkers of tumour response.
Radiotherapy is not considered standard of care practice for patients for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma despite the tumour's inherent radiosensitivity. The major challenge has been improving radiation delivery without exceeding dose limits of the surrounding normal liver. Recent technological advances with tumour localization and targeting, imaging, treatment planning and delivery have allowed for safe delivery of radiation with tumorcidal effect and minimal treatment-related toxicity. This study has three specific aims: 1\. To develop, validate, and quality test HDR Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) Gated RapidArc technique for application in human liver tumours. And furthermore, to test whether HDR SBRT Gated RapidArc can be efficiently and safely delivered to a very large patient population previously ineligible for any therapy (HCC patients with tumours \>5cm). 3\. To determine if 11C-choline/18F-FDG CT-PET or perfusion CT imaging (that characterize changes in tumour proliferation, glycolysis, and vasculature, respectively) can provide practical non-invasive biomarkers of tumour response, local tumour control, or normal tissue toxicity. 4\. To determine if immunologic studies of pre- and post-treatment blood samples can provide biomarkers of tumour response, local and systemic tumour control, or triggers for normal tissue toxicity.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
13
Preferred target coverage of 40 Gy: coverage and total dose determined by irradiated liver volume NTCP (normal tissue complication probability) nomogram and OAR dose limits
BC Cancer Agency
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
One year local progression-free rate
Time frame: Approximately 1 year
Progression-free survival
Time frame: To be reviewed in approximately 8 years; upon study completion
Overall Survival
Time frame: To be reviewed in approximately 8 years; upon study completion
Treatment related toxicity
Time frame: To be reviewed in approximately 8 years; upon study completion
Quality of Life
Time frame: To be reviewed in approximately 8 years; upon study completion
Cytokine response to radiation and association with complications
Time frame: To be reviewed in approximately 8 years; upon study completion
Functional imaging with 11C-choline/18F-FDG CT-PET and perfusion CT to that characterize treatment-related effects
Time frame: To be reviewed in approximately 8 years; upon study completion
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