EORTC SPRINT clinical cancer study receives support from Rising Tide Foundation to reduce the burden for patients

Brussels, 5 November 2024 – Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research (RTFCCR) has awarded a grant to the EORTC 2387-SPRINT academic clinical study, the first pan-European Trial within Cohorts (TwiCs) targeting patients with oligometastatic disease (OMD) from primary breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers.

OMD refers to a state in which cancer has spread to a limited number of organs. International guidelines indicate these cases are treated with radical local therapies like stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Currently, SBRT for OMD is typically delivered in multiple sessions (3-5 per metastasis, totaling 15-25 sessions), which complicates its integration with other treatments and increases the burden on radiation therapy resources and patient compliance. Although some Phase II clinical trials have shown that single-fraction SBRT is safe with no significant toxicity and maintains local control of metastases, its use in routine practice remains rare.

EORTC’s SPRINT study aims to address this gap by assessing whether single-fraction SBRT is equally effective compared to multi-fraction SBRT. If successful, the study could bring significant benefits to OMD patients, reducing the treatment burden and improving their overall well-being, treatment experience, and quality of life. Moreover, shortening SBRT treatment could minimise interruptions to systemic therapy, potentially improving patient survival.

From a societal perspective, a shift towards single-fraction SBRT would allow more efficient use of limited healthcare resources, creating space to treat more patients, including those with multiple metastases.

“The SPRINT study has the potential to significantly enhance the treatment landscape for patients with oligometastatic disease. SPRINT builds on the existing OligoCare registry and represents a true methodological innovation, being the first international Trial within Cohorts (TwiCs) in radiation oncology optimising access for patients to new forms of treatment” said Denis Lacombe, MD, EORTC CEO. “We are grateful to have RTFCCR, a long-term partner of EORTC, supporting this trial, bringing us closer to improving both patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency across Europe.”

“Such an excellent design to change standard of care based on the proposed endpoints and focused on providing more effective and less toxic (economically and socially less toxic) treatment options, is a patient driven clinical trial we are proud of supporting” said Alexandre Alencar, MD, Head of Cancer Research Programs, Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research.

The study

Notes to the Editors

About the Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research 

Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research (RTFCCR) is a charitable, non-profit organization established in 2010 and located in Schaffhausen Switzerland.  RTFCCR’s primary consideration in granting support is given to truly innovative, unique, patient-centered clinical research.  The long-term ambition of the foundation is to optimize partnerships and attract the best in Phase I to Phase III clinical trials that aim to bring maximum patient benefit in the shortest time possible. With patients at the core of the mission, the foundation strives to support clinical trials resulting in the creation of less toxic therapeutic approaches, better disease burden management, earlier cancer detection, and innovative prevention strategies that will lead to increased quality of life and survival. 

www.risingtide-foundation.org