New Clinical Trial Tests Internal Radiation Therapy for Kidney Cancer
Researchers at London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI) have launched a Phase II clinical trial testing a new way to treat renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). The approach uses microscopic beads filled with radiation, delivered directly into the blood vessels surrounding tumors, in hopes of improving patient outcomes. Unlike traditional radiation, which is delivered externally, the study delivers radiation internally. The treatment uses TheraSphere™ Glass Microspheres—tiny glass beads containing radioactive Yttrium (Y-90). Already approved for liver cancer, they are now being tested for kidney cancer.
Kidney cancer occurs when kidney cells grow uncontrollably. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, 9,000 people in Canada were diagnosed with kidney or renal pelvis cancer in 2024.
According to Dr. Derek Cool, Associate Scientist at LHSCRI and Interventional Radiologist at London Health Sciences Centre, “Kidney cancer, if it hasn’t spread to other areas of the body, can be addressed surgically by removing some or all of the organ. However, not all patients are candidates for surgery due to advanced age or health conditions like heart issues, poor lung function, or a history of major blood clotting. This type of cancer is resistant to chemotherapy and standard radiation. We’re therefore hoping this research uncovers a new treatment option to enhance patient outcomes.”
“We expect these beads can deliver 10 times the amount of radiation when compared to external radiation,” said Dr. Cool. “By targeting the therapy directly in the tumor, we think we can avoid damage to surrounding organs while also delivering an incredibly strong dose of radiation with a higher potential of destroying cancer cells.”
Because kidneys are vital for filtering toxins from the blood, preserving function is critical to avoid dialysis. The trial will enroll up to 16 patients with localized kidney cancer at the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre at LHSC, focusing on those who are not eligible for surgery.
Results will assess whether the treatment can shrink tumors and slow disease progression. If successful, researchers aim to expand into a larger multicenter trial.