Skip to content

PROTECT: On-line Adaptive Proton Therapy for Cervical Cancer

PROTECT: On-line Adaptive Proton Therapy for Cervical Cancer to Reduce the Impact on Morbidity and the Immune System

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05406856
Acronym
PROTECT
Enrollment
30
Registered
2022-06-07
Start date
2022-05-02
Completion date
2026-12-01
Last updated
2023-10-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Locally Advanced Cervical Carcinoma, Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Keywords

Non-randomized phase-II trial, Primary chemoradiotherapy, Proton therapy, Organ sparing therapy

Brief summary

This prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized phase-II-trial investigates in clinical practice the differences between intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) and standard intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in the effects on dose-volume parameters and treatment-related morbidity for women with locally advanced cervical cancer undergoing chemoradiation.

Detailed description

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with concurrent chemotherapy followed by brachytherapy is a highly effective treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). However, treatment-related toxicity is common and reduces the patient's quality of life (QoL) and may affect ability to complete treatment or undergo adjuvant therapies. Intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) enables a significant dose reduction in organs at risk (OAR), when compared to that of standard intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT). However, clinical studies evaluating whether IMPT consequently reduces side effects for LACC are lacking. The PROTECT trial is a nonrandomized prospective multicenter phase-II-trial comparing clinical outcomes after IMPT or IMRT/VMAT in LACC. Thirty women aged \>18 years with a histological diagnosis of LACC will be included in either the IMPT or IMRT/VMAT group. Treatment includes EBRT (45 Gy in 25 fractions of 1.8 Gy), concurrent five weekly cisplatin (40 mg/m2), and 3D image (MRI)-guided adaptive brachytherapy. The primary endpoint is pelvic bones Dmean and mean bowel V15Gy. Secondary endpoints include dosimetric parameters, oncological outcomes, health-related QoL, immune response, safety, and tolerability. This study provides the first data on the potential of IMPT to reduce OAR dose in clinical practice and improve toxicity and QoL for patients with LACC.

Interventions

RADIATIONExternal beam radiation therapy: IMRT/VMAT

EBRT is given to a total dose of 45 Gy in 25 daily fractions of 1.8 Gy in 5 weeks. Involved nodes are boosted using a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) to reach a total EBRT plus brachytherapy dose of 60 Gy EQD2 to provide high nodal control.

RADIATIONExternal beam radiation therapy: IMPT

EBRT is given to a total dose of 45 Gy in 25 daily fractions of 1.8 Gy in 5 weeks. Involved nodes are boosted using a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) to reach a total EBRT plus brachytherapy dose of 60 Gy EQD2 to provide high nodal control.

DRUGCisplatin

The standard chemotherapy regimen is weekly cisplatin (40 mg/m2) for 5 weeks.

RADIATIONBrachytherapy

Brachytherapy is performed using a high-dose rate (HDR) after loading system to deliver a boost to any residual tumor and the cervix. Brachytherapy dose is (21-) 28 Gy in fractions of 7 Gy specified at 100% isodose around the high-risk CTV, according to the EMBRACE-II prescription protocol. The aim is to reach an equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions including EBRT (EQD2\_D90) of the high-risk CTV between 90-95 Gy, using MRI-guided adaptive brachytherapy.

Sponsors

Erasmus Medical Center
CollaboratorOTHER
HollandPTC
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Leiden University Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

The study is designed as a prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized phase-II-trial. During the first phase of the trial, 15 patients will be enrolled in the IMRT/VMAT treatment group. In the second phase of the trial, 15 patients will be enrolled in the IMPT group.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Histologically confirmed diagnosis of cervical cancer (squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma, HPV positive or negative) with an indication for curative treatment with primary chemoradiation with concurrent cisplatin followed by 3D image-guided adaptive brachytherapy. * Indication to include the common iliac region (minimum 5, maximum 8) or the common iliac and para-aortic regions (minimum 7, maximum 10) into the elective clinical target volume of the external beam radiotherapy. * No distant metastasis beyond the para-aortic lymph node chain as determined by diagnostic imaging (CT or PET-CT scan) * Age ≥ 18 years * WHO 0-1 * Adequate systemic organ function: * Creatinine clearance (\> 50 cc/min) * Adequate bone marrow function : white blood cells (WBCs) ≥3.0 x 109/l, neutrophils ≥1.5 x 109/l, platelets ≥100 x 109/l * Patients must be accessible for treatment and follow-up * Written informed consent according to the local Ethics Committee requirements

Exclusion criteria

* Small cell cancer, melanoma and other rare histological types of the cervix. * History of another primary malignancy that could conceivably be active evaluated by the study physician. Examples of exception include, but are not limited to: * Malignancy treated with curative intent and with no known active disease ≥5 years. * Adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer or lentigo maligna without evidence of disease. * Other severe diseases such as recent myocardial infarction, clinical signs of cardiac failure or clinically significant arrhythmias * Previous pelvic or abdominal radiotherapy * History of active primary immunodeficiency * Active or prior documented autoimmune or inflammatory disorders (including inflammatory bowel disease \[e.g. colitis or Crohn's disease\]) * The use of immunosuppressive drugs at baseline * Contraindications for weekly Cisplatin (or Carboplatin) * Contraindications for the use of MRI

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Dmean to the pelvic bonesDuring treatmentMean dose to the pelvic bones (Gy).
Mean V15Gy to the bowelDuring treatmentMean volume of the bowel (cc) receiving 15Gy.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Key dosimetric parameters of the sigmoidDuring treatmentMean volume of the sigmoid (%) receiving greater than or equal to 15, 30, and 40Gy.
Key dosimetric parameters of the bowelDuring treatmentMean volume of the bowel (cc) receiving greater than or equal to 30 and 40Gy.
Complete responseAt Month 3 after end of treatmentAbsence of disease in the cervix, uterus, upper vagina, and parametria.
Pelvic recurrence-free survivalAt Month 12 after end of treatmentThe time from start of treatment to the first occurrence of pelvic recurrence.
Key dosimetric parameters of the bodyDuring treatmentMean dose to the body (Gy) and mean volume of the body (cm3) receiving greater than or equal to 10 Gy.
Key dosimetric parameters of the pelvic bonesDuring treatmentMean volume of the pelvic bones (% or cc) receiving greater than or equal to 10, 20, and 40Gy.
Key dosimetric parameter of the kidneysDuring treatmentMean dose to the kidneys (Gy).
Key dosimetric parameters of the spinal cordDuring treatmentMean volume of the spinal cord (%) receiving greater than or equal to 15 and 30Gy.
Key dosimetric parameters of the bladderDuring treatmentMean volume of the bladder (%) receiving greater than or equal to 15, 30, and 40Gy.
Overall survivalAt Month 12 after end of treatmentThe percentage (%) of included patients who are alive after start of treatment
Distant recurrence-free survivalAt Month 12 after end of treatmentThe time from start of treatment to the first occurrence of distant recurrence.
Health-related Quality of LifeAt baseline, week 4 of EBRT, end of treatment, and at Month 3, Month 6, Month 9, and Month 12 after end of treatmentFor the evaluation of patient reported symptoms and QoL, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)-core (C-30) questionnaire, the CX24 module for cervical cancer, and six additional questions from EN24 module will be used.
Safety and tolerability (toxicity)At baseline, week 4 of EBRT, end of treatment, and at Month 3, Month 6, Month 9, and Month 12 after end of treatmentToxicity will be graded according to the NCI-CTCAE version 5.0.
The effect on the local immune system (analyzed with the Nanostring PanCancer IO 360 panel)At baseline and at the first brachytherapy sessionTumor biopsies will be collected for evaluation of the impact of treatment on the local immune response.
The effect on the systemic immune systemAt baseline, week 4 of treatment, and at Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, and Month 12 after end of treatmentBlood samples will be collected for immune-monitoring. Full blood count, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, leukocyte differentiation, APC quality, T cell reactivity, and immune composition changes will be measured.
The effect on bone marrow fat fractionAt baseline, for brachytherapy purposes, and at Month 3 and Month 12 after end of treatment.Patients will have an MR scan with Dixon technique for evaluation of bone marrow fat fraction in the vertebral column and femoral necks.
Other dosimetric parameters of critical organsDuring treatmentMean volume of an organ at risk (% or cc) receiving greater than or equal to xGy.
Key dosimetric parameters of the rectumDuring treatmentMean volume of the rectum (%) receiving greater than or equal to 15, 30, and 40Gy.

Countries

Netherlands

Contacts

Primary ContactAnouk Corbeau, MSc
a.corbeau@lumc.nl+31 71 529 7893
Backup ContactStephanie M. de Boer, MD, PhD
s.m.de_boer.onco@lumc.nl+31 71 529 9380

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026