DARS: a phase III randomised multicentre study of dysphagia- optimised intensity- modulated radiotherapy (Do-IMRT) versus standard intensity- modulated radiotherapy (S-IMRT) in head and neck cancer.
View/ Open
Date
2016-10-06Author
Petkar, I
Rooney, K
Roe, JWG
Patterson, JM
Bernstein, D
Tyler, JM
Emson, MA
Morden, JP
Mertens, K
Miles, E
Beasley, M
Roques, T
Bhide, SA
Newbold, KL
Harrington, KJ
Hall, E
Nutting, CM
Type
Journal Article
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
BACKGROUND: Persistent dysphagia following primary chemoradiation (CRT) for head and neck cancers can have a devastating impact on patients' quality of life. Single arm studies have shown that the dosimetric sparing of critical swallowing structures such as the pharyngeal constrictor muscle and supraglottic larynx can translate to better functional outcomes. However, there are no current randomised studies to confirm the benefits of such swallow sparing strategies. The aim of Dysphagia/Aspiration at risk structures (DARS) trial is to determine whether reducing the dose to the pharyngeal constrictors with dysphagia-optimised intensity- modulated radiotherapy (Do-IMRT) will lead to an improvement in long- term swallowing function without having any detrimental impact on disease-specific survival outcomes. METHODS/DESIGN: The DARS trial (CRUK/14/014) is a phase III multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) for patients undergoing primary (chemo) radiotherapy for T1-4, N0-3, M0 pharyngeal cancers. Patients will be randomised (1:1 ratio) to either standard IMRT (S-IMRT) or Do-IMRT. Radiotherapy doses will be the same in both groups; however in patients allocated to Do-IMRT, irradiation of the pharyngeal musculature will be reduced by delivering IMRT identifying the pharyngeal muscles as organs at risk. The primary endpoint of the trial is the difference in the mean MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) composite score, a patient-reported outcome, measured at 12 months post radiotherapy. Secondary endpoints include prospective and longitudinal evaluation of swallow outcomes incorporating a range of subjective and objective assessments, quality of life measures, loco-regional control and overall survival. Patients and speech and language therapists (SLTs) will both be blinded to treatment allocation arm to minimise outcome-reporting bias. DISCUSSION: DARS is the first RCT investigating the effect of swallow sparing strategies on improving long-term swallowing outcomes in pharyngeal cancers. An integral part of the study is the multidimensional approach to swallowing assessment, providing robust data for the standardisation of future swallow outcome measures. A translational sub- study, which may lead to the development of future predictive and prognostic biomarkers, is also planned. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial register, ISRCTN25458988 (04/01/2016).
Collections
Subject
Humans
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Deglutition Disorders
Radiation Injuries
Quality of Life
Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated
Multicenter Studies as Topic
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
Chemoradiotherapy
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
Research team
Clinical Trials & Statistics Unit
ICR-CTSU Urology and Head and Neck Trials Team
Radiotherapy Physics Modelling
Targeted Therapy
Language
eng
Date accepted
2016-09-26
License start date
2016-10-06
Citation
BMC cancer, 2016, 16 (1), pp. 770 - ?
Publisher
BMC