RecruitingNot Applicable

Simulation-Free Celiac Plexus Pain Ablation Using Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in Patients With Cancer-Related Celiac Pain

Canada5 participantsStarted 2026-06-01

Plain-language summary

This is a prospective, single-arm, pilot feasibility clinical trial designed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a simulation-free adaptive radiotherapy workflow to enable single-session celiac plexus SBRT planning and delivery. In this trial, the treatment itself is non-investigational (standard-of-care celiac plexus SBRT) but the treatment workflow (simulation-free, using adaptive radiotherapy to compress treatment planning and delivery into a single session) is novel. Investigators hypothesize the successful completion of the simulation-free ART workflow through treatment delivery in the first on-table treatment attempt for at least 80% of patients.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Subjects must have histologically or cytologically confirmed cancer that is metastatic or unresectable, and considered appropriate per the treating physician to receive celiac plexus SBRT. * Age \>18 years. Because no data are currently available on the use of celiac axis SBRT in subjects ≤18 years of age, children are excluded from this study. * Performance status: ECOG Performance status ≤ 3 * Severe retroperitoneal pain syndrome (radiates from the lower back to the upper abdomen, belt- like distribution), intensity of at least 5 on 11-point Brief Pain Inventory (BPI, average pain) scale. * Subjects must have anatomical involvement of the celiac plexus on the diagnostic CT, PET/CT, or MRI. This includes: Any pancreatic cancer, any other cancer that on imaging demonstrates either gross involvement of the celiac blood vessels or celiac plexus on imaging OR haziness around the celiac blood vessels that typically implies tumor engulfment. * Prior chemotherapy or biological treatment is allowed, but any active oncological treatment should be stopped at least 1 week prior to radiation therapy and renewed at least 1 week following radiation therapy. * Subjects must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. * Subjects must have a diagnostic CT of the abdomen and pelvis, with or without contrast, acquired \< 28 days prior to the study consent. Exclusion Criteria: * In ability to tolerate lying supine and …

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1This trial is testing whether a 'simulation-free' radiation planning workflow actually works smoothly in at least 80% of patients — since it's measuring process success rather than pain relief directly, how will we know if the treatment is actually helping my celiac pain?
2Since this trial is listed as Phase NA, which usually means it's more of a feasibility or workflow study than a traditional drug or treatment trial, what does that mean for what's already known about the safety and effectiveness of this approach for my type of cancer-related pain?
3The trial uses stereotactic body radiotherapy aimed at the celiac plexus to block pain signals — are there risks specific to targeting that area of my abdomen, especially given my pancreatic or advanced cancer diagnosis, that I should understand before considering this?
4Would standard celiac plexus nerve block procedures — like a celiac plexus neurolysis done by an interventional specialist — be a proven alternative worth trying first before I consider enrolling in a feasibility trial like this one?
5What would my participation actually involve day-to-day, and given that this is still testing whether the planning workflow is reliable, how would my pain management be handled if the approach doesn't work as intended for me?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Successful treatment plan workflow of 80% of patients

Timeframe: 1 year

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07636382

SponsorUniversity Health Network, Toronto

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-06-01

Contact for this trial

Michael Yan

(416) 946-2320 michael.yan@uhn.ca

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Advanced Cancer trials