Can zapping every tumor with radiation extend life? new trial aims to find out
NCT ID NCT05508464
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 30, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This trial tests a precise type of radiation called SABR on all visible tumors in people with 11 or more metastases. Participants are randomly assigned to either standard palliative radiation or SABR to every tumor. The goal is to see if this aggressive approach improves overall survival, delays cancer growth, and maintains quality of life.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- SABR (stereotactic ablative radiotherapy)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could show that targeting all tumors with precise radiation improves survival and quality of life for people with many metastases.
- What could go wrong
- This is a mid-stage trial with only 138 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The treatment may cause side effects or not improve outcomes compared to standard care.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 138 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2023
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2034
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 or older * willing and able to provide informed consent * ECOG performance status 0-2 * Life expectancy \> or equal to 6 months * Histologically confirmed malignancy with evidence of metastatic disease on imaging * All sites of disease can be safely treated on a preliminary radiation plan * \> or equal to 11 metastases (the primary tumor does not have to be controlled and can be included as a target if it can feasibly and safely be treated with SABR. If the primary tumor is treated, a minimum of 12 targets are required0 at least 11 metastases are required in addition to the primary tumor.) * Investigations required within 12 weeks of enrollment: * Brain: MRI is required for all patients with known untreated or previously treated brain metastases. MRI is strongly recommended for all tumor sites with a propensity to develop brian metastases. * Body: 18-FDG PET/CT imaging is recommended, except for tumors where FDG uptake is not expected (e.g. prostate, renal cell carcinoma). PSMA-PET or choline-PET is recommended for prostate cancer. In situations where a PET scan is unavailable, or for tumors that do not take up radiotracer, a CT neck/chest/abdomen/pelvis and bone scan are required. * Liver: For patients with liver metastases, a diagnostic or simulation MRI is required to confirm the total number of metastases. * No plans for systemic therapy (i.e. chemotherapy, targeted agent, immunotherapy) for 3 months from the time of enrolment. Reasons may include: a break from systemic therapy is desired by the patient and medical oncologist, the patient declines next line of systemic therapy, or no further systemic therapy options are available. Exceptions include hormone therapy for breast cancer or prostate cancer, which may be continued. * SABR or palliative radiotherapy should commence no later than 2 weeks after randomization. * For patients with brain metastases that are going to be treated regardless of the study arm, there must be additional extracranial disease present that will be treated with SABR on Arm 2 and not treated with SABR on Arm 1. Exclusion Criteria: * Serious medical comorbidities precluding radiotherapy. These include interstitial lung disease in patients requiring thoracic radiation, Chrohn's disease in patients where the GI tract will receive radiotherapy, ulcerative colitis where the bowel will receive radiotherapy and connective tissue disorders such as lupus or scleroderma. * For patients with liver metastases, moderate/severe liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh B or C) * Substantial overlap with a previously treated radiation volume. Prior radiotherapy is allowed, as long as the composite plan meets dose constraints herein. For patients treated with radiation previously, biologically effective dose calculations should be used to equate previous doses to the tolerance doses listed in Appendix 1. All such cases must be discussed with the study PI. * Inability to treat all sites of disease. Any brain metastasis \>3 cm in size or a total volume of brain metastases greater than 30 cc. * Solitary or dominant brian metastasis requiring surgical decompression. * Radiologic evidence of spinal cord compression. * Disseminated disease, including leptomeningeal metastases, peritoneal metastases/carcinomatosis, malignant pleural effusion, and lymphangitis carcinomatosis. * Pregnant or lactating women.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
3 sites in 2 countries. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Centre Hospitalier de L'Universite de Montreal (CHUM)
RECRUITINGMontreal, Quebec, H2X 3E4, Canada
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London Health Sciences Centre- London Regional Cancer Program
RECRUITINGLondon, Ontario, N6A 5W9, Canada
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University Hospital of Zurich
RECRUITINGZurich, 8091 zurich, Switzerland
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