Oxygen enhanced MRI in head and neck cancer

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Oxygen enhanced MRI measurement in head and neck cancer: validation and efficacy of response.

• IRAS ID

  244310

• Contact name

  James O'Connor

• Contact email

  james.o'connor@manchester.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Manchester

• Duration of Study in the UK

  3 years, 3 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  This is a study focussing on using non-invasive tests to assess the behaviour of low levels of oxygen defined as 'hypoxia' in head and neck solid tumours. Healthy participants and patients will be recruited in The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and will be asked to undergo MRI scans known as oxygen enhanced MRI (OE-MRI) whilst breathing air or oxygen gas. This study builds on the work recently been completed in lung cancer.

  The study will involve 3 components:

  1. Can OE-MRI be performed reliably in head and neck cancer patients? Ten healthy participants will be asked to undergo two baseline OE-MRI scans with either nasal cannula or facial mask to breathe air and oxygen throughout. The order of which breathing method will be used first will be randomized. Following this initial study OE-MRI will be tested in 30 patients with solid head and neck tumours.

  2. What is the effect of radiotherapy on hypoxia in tumour and normal tissue? OE-MRI will be measured before standard radiotherapy treatment begins and at the end of week 2 and week 4 following the start of radiotherapy. The areas and amount of hypoxia will be measured and compared between tumour and normal tissue.

  3. Can hypoxia in tissue samples be correlated with hypoxia detected on imaging in the same patient? All 30 patients will have a diagnostic biopsy as NHS standard of care at their local hospital prior to treatment. Tissue samples will be tested for gene signatures and compared with the same patients OE-MRI scan.

• REC name

  North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  18/NW/0563

• Date of REC Opinion

  14 Sep 2018

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion