Trials begin for Alberta-created Linac-MR technology, first in the province

EDMONTON – Clinical trials are set to start at the Cross Cancer Institute, treating patients for the first time ever with an Alberta-created and built Linac-MR machine (LMR). The LMR technology provides the world’s most advanced radiation therapy for treatment of tumours.

With the capability of delivering radiation while simultaneously obtaining high-contrast and high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the LMR allows radiation oncologists to deliver more precise radiation to tumours that move during treatment, or to tumours that are close to healthy organs that need to be avoided. This more precise radiation can result in better tumour control and fewer side effects from radiation.

“Cancer directly or indirectly touches the lives of almost every Albertan. Ensuring patients and families have access to outstanding cancer care is a priority for our government. We are proud to have technology in our province built by those on our frontline,” says Jason Copping, Minister of Health.

The LMR is a unique, Alberta created and built technology, jointly developed by Medical Physics staff and researchers at the Cross Cancer Institute and at the University of Alberta (U of A) under Dr. Gino Fallone, Professor and Director, Medical Physics at CCI and U of A, and team. Funding was provided by Alberta Cancer Foundation and through the CCI ‘We Cross Cancer’ fundraising campaign, Alberta Innovates, Western Economic Diversification (Canada), now called PrairiesCan, and Canadian Institutes of Health Research, as well as direct and in-kind investments by Cancer Care Alberta (CCA).

“Alberta continues to be a place where advanced research and innovation allows us to provide high-quality care to our patients,” says AHS Interim President and CEO Mauro Chies.

“We will continue to invest, together with our partners, to ensure that we are not only meeting current care needs but providing better more targeted therapies that can effectively treat a wider range of cancers and patients.”

“We are very excited to be able to offer cutting-edge technology for our patients. We will be able to significantly improve our ability to treat cancers with radiation more precisely by being able to see clearly where we are targeting our radiation,” says AHS clinician and researcher Dr. Nawaid Usmani. “We are particularly proud of this innovation, as the group of researchers that we are working with were the first in the world to build Linac-MR hybrid right here in Edmonton. This technology will improve treatments not only for Albertans, but for cancer patients around the world.”

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

Backgrounder

Linac-MR and Northern LIGHTS clinical trials, Cross Cancer Institute

• The Linac-MR (LMR) is a unique, Alberta-created and built technology jointly developed by Alberta Health Services staff and University of Alberta researchers. The LMR technology provides the world’s most advanced radiation therapy for treatment of tumours.
• Funding has been provided by the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Alberta Innovates, Western Economic Diversification (Canada), now called PrairiesCan, and Canadian Institutes of Health Research, as well as direct and in-kind investments by Cancer Care Alberta (CCA).
• The team who developed the LMR are at the forefront world-wide in developing a working prototype large enough to treat a human; a process that has taken 10+ years. The critical novel concepts of this technology are protected by patents held by AHS and jointly owned with the University of Alberta.
• Previously a Linac and an MRI had to be installed 10 metres apart because they interfered with one another. The MR’s magnetic field impedes the creation of X-rays and in turn, the Linac affects the operation of the MR. Which meant, patients had to be transferred from one machine to the other; tumours and organs would shift, and there would not be a real-time view of the tumour, thus the radiation of healthy tissues around the tumour.
• The LMR can treat any type of cancer in the body, with minimal side effects and offers the best patient experience, because of the precision in tumour location and treatment. It will likely provide the greatest benefit to patients with prostate, liver, and pancreatic cancers. It will also be helpful for patients with breast, lung, and head & neck cancers.
• The recovery from the LMR treatments will be very similar to other standard radiation treatments.
• The LMR provides 3D imaging of the tumour and avoids healthy tissues during treatment, allowing a higher dose of radiation to be used, and in fewer sessions.

Clinical Trials with the Linac-MR

The Northern LIGHTS clinical trials done with an Alberta-created Linac-MR, are a collection of seven distinct trials. The goal is to reduce treatment sessions, improve patient experience and patient outcomes, as healthy tissues will not be targeted by the radiation. 

• Northern LIGHTS 1 (imaging only) started in 2022 and has accrued 40 patients. 
• Northern LIGHTS 2 (first-in-human treatments) will start treatment the week of February 5, 2023 and will accrue approximately 100 patients over the next year.
• The other 5 trials will start after 1 year and will likely accrue 100 patients each, and will focus on patients with the following cancers:
  • Prostate
  • Tumours in the lungs or liver
  • Head & neck
  • Breast
  • Other tumours that will benefit from the Linac-MR

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.