A new study has been presented at ESTRO 2025 introducing RAPID-RT study. It utilizes an innovative rapid-learning approach to evaluate the impact of treatment modifications in radiotherapy. It offers a more inclusive and real-world alternative to traditional clinical trials. Researchers at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust have applied this method in lung cancer patients. They worked on to find whether reducing the dose to the top of heart can improve survival by minimizing cardiac toxicity associated with radiotherapy.
The team has implemented a new “heart-sparing” technique in the routine clinical setting to address serious complications involved in radiotherapy. This new technoque aims to protect the heart during lung cancer treatment. It aims at reducing cardiac exposure while improvinh both survival and quality of life for lung cancer patients. “RAPID-RT represents a shift towards more inclusive research, designed to reflect the realities of everyday clinical practice and ensure that all patients, not just those who meet narrow trial criteria, benefit from innovation in radiotherapy,” said co-lead investigator Dr. Gareth Price, senior lecturer and medical physicist, at the University of Manchester.
The RAPID-RT study analyzed data from 1708 patients with Stage I-III lung cancer who received radiotherapy between 2021 and 2025. The early results of this new heart-sparing technique showed that it is highly-inclusive and modest improvement was found in 12-month survival. The study used rapid-learning model to evalute and adapt treatments in real time using routine anonymized data. It shows the power of combining latest technology with real-world data for safer and more-effective radiotherapy. The study will continue to recruit and follow progress of patients to confirm these early results.
The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only. You should always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical needs.
Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Facebook or Twitter today to stay informed and never miss an update!