Our Research Portfolio

As the fourth pillar of cancer care, evidence-based Interventional Oncology (IO) is vital for delivering quality patient care. We are very proud to have a dedicated IO research team infrastructure at LTHT enabling us to deliver specialised and high-impact IO clinical research trials within Leeds Cancer Centre.

The IO research infrastructure is supported by the organisational R&I team and consists of a Professor of Interventional Radiology (Interventional Oncology), IO consultants, a senior research nurse, research fellows, clinical nurse specialists, a clinical trial assistant, and an administrative team. Please see the ‘Meet the Interventional Oncology Research Team Section’ to read more about us.

Our trials currently open to recruitment are:

POLAR

A Phase I study of tumour cryOabLAtIon in combination with ipilimumab and nivolumab in front-line treatment of metastatic Renal cell carcinoma.

The current management of kidney cancer that has spread beyond the kidney to surrounding organs includes giving immunotherapy which is medication designed to boost the immune system by training the body to better recognise and attack cancer cells.

Cryoablation involves freezing cancer cells by inserting small needles into the cancer using x-ray guidance. This has been shown to kill cancer cells but also help the body to familiarise itself with the cancer and provide a spark for the immune system.

Based on previous research, it has been shown that if immunotherapy is given after cryoablation then it can be more effective and acts as reinforcements to rally the immune system’s troops for attacking the cancer cells.

Research trial links

A trial testing the safety and effectiveness of treating patients with kidney cancer that has spread to other parts of the body with a tumour freezing treatment (called cryoablation) and immunotherapy

Our most recent headline IO trials are:

RESPECT

REgiStry for Percutaneous ElectroChemoTherapy. A European-wide registry collecting data from patients with primary or secondary liver cancer treated by percutaneous electrochemotherapy (pECT). pECT is a minimally invasive treatment option that combines the use of a chemotherapeutic agent with reversible electroporation at the site of the tumour to potentiate local cytotoxicity to more effectively kill cancer cells.

As it has very little impact on surrounding tissues, it is particularly adapted for the treatment of tumours in complicated locations where there may be neighbouring vital structures such as bile ducts or blood vessels.

IO trial link

RESPECT

NOLA (NeuWave Observational Liver Ablation) Registry

An observational registry for liver-ablation with the NEUWAVE Microwave Ablation System. At LTHT we delivered the highest recruitment in Europe, and the second highest globally.

IO trial link

NOLA

HOPE4LIVER

Evaluating efficacy and safety of treatment for primary and metastatic liver tumours using the HistoSonics system. At LTHT we delivered 100% of recruitment target and contributed towards FDA and MHRA approval.

IO trial links

A Multi-centre, Single Arm, Non-randomized, Prospective European Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of the HistoSonics System in the Treatment of Primary and Metastatic Liver Cancers (#HOPE4LIVER)

The #HOPE4LIVER Single-Arm Pivotal Trial for Histotripsy of Primary and Metastatic Liver Tumors

The #HOPE4LIVER Single-arm Pivotal Trial for Histotripsy of Primary and Metastatic Liver Tumors: One-year Update of Clinical Outcomes

CAIN

Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness and safety profile of the HistoSonics System in treating primary solid renal tumours. At LTHT we performed the global-first successful translation of the technology in renal cancer treatment and delivered 100% of target recruitment.

IO trial links

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, (UK) Performs World First Non-Invasive Histotripsy in Patient with Primary Solid Renal Tumor

First-in-human CAIN trial demonstrates feasibility of histotripsy for small renal tumours

Early Clinical Histotripsy Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Treatment of Primary Solid Renal Tumours Using Histotripsy: Study Protocol for the CAIN Feasibility Trial