Plain-language summaries of current research into low-dose radiation therapy for osteoarthritis, shared by the scientists doing the work. These summaries are for general information and are not medical advice.
Latest Updates
LoRD-KNeA published in full: 70% vs 42% responders at 4 months (BMC Medicine, 2026)
Long-term cancer follow-up of 4,699 LDRT patients: 3 solid cancers in treated areas (2026)
New trials open at Mayo Clinic and Penn Medicine
ASTRO-BCRF award funds MD Anderson study of LDRT for immunotherapy-related arthritis
FDA clears Varian TrueBeam machines for LDRT in osteoarthritis (March 2026)
ARS Appropriate Use Criteria: 60–90% overall response rate for LDRT in osteoarthritis
International Benign Target Volume Group publishes 3-D target volume consensus for OA radiation
Studies Underway
Compiled by the editor from trial registries and funding announcements. Status as of October 2026.
Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN): LDRT vs. steroid injection for hand and wrist osteoarthritis. Randomized trial comparing LDRT with a corticosteroid injection. 165 participants planned; recruiting since December 2025. Main outcome: hand pain. NCT07217405
Penn Medicine (Philadelphia): Prospective study of LDRT for osteoarthritis. Single-arm study tracking pain and function after LDRT for the hip, knee, hand, shoulder, ankle or elbow. 113 participants planned; recruiting since June 2026. NCT07715188
MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston): PRAISE-BC: LDRT for immunotherapy-related arthritis in breast cancer. Tests whether LDRT to a joint that flared during immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment can prevent further flares and help patients continue immunotherapy. Funded in 2026 by an ASTRO-BCRF Emerging Investigator Award to Dr. Chidinma Anakwenze. ASTRO Foundation
University of Chicago: RADIATE: LDRT for arthritis caused by cancer immunotherapy. Early-phase safety and feasibility study in people whose arthritis began, or whose osteoarthritis flared, during immunotherapy; 20 participants planned; not yet recruiting. NCT07478679
Recently Published Studies
Plain-language summaries by the editor. These studies had no comparison group, so they cannot separate the effect of LDRT from placebo effects or natural changes in pain over time.
Low-dose radiation therapy for osteoarthritis: preliminary outcomes at Scripps Clinic (Ojo OA, et al. Adv Radiat Oncol. 2026). Scripps Clinic in San Diego reviewed its first year of LDRT: 167 patients and 184 joints. Average pain fell from 6.3 to 2.5 out of 10, and 88% of joints had less pain at the first follow-up visit. No moderate or worse side effects were reported. Read the study
LDRT for peripheral joint osteoarthritis: early U.S. community experience (Schwartz E, et al. Adv Radiat Oncol. 2026). A Las Vegas community cancer practice treated 30 patients (55 joints). Average pain fell from 8.1 to 3.5 out of 10, 92% of joints improved on a global rating, and about a quarter of patients cut back on pain medicine. No acute side effects were recorded. Read the study
LDRT for pain in older adults with advanced knee osteoarthritis (India) (Ranja AG, et al. Cureus. 2026). A prospective study of 106 people with advanced knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade III–IV). Average pain fell from 7.9 to 3.5 out of 10 at 4 weeks and was 4.0 at 12 months; 88 of 90 patients who were assessed had at least a 30% reduction. No severe side effects were seen. Read the study
CT-based planning of LDRT for knee osteoarthritis (Taiwan) (Lu YF, et al. Adv Radiat Oncol. 2026). Describes planning knee treatments on a CT scan so the whole joint, including fluid pockets above the kneecap, is covered. In 37 patients (71 knees), median pain fell from 6 to 2 out of 10 with no moderate or worse early side effects. Read the study
Current Research
No research summaries have been published yet. Researchers can submit their work on Low-Dose Radiation Therapy for osteoarthritis.
Submit Your Research
For researchers and academic teams. Researchers can submit their own work for review and link to their lab for more information. Visit arthritisldrt.org/research to submit.
Medically reviewed by:Robert Warren Floyd, M.D., Ph.D. — Resident Physician, Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Last reviewed: October 21, 2026. Independent personal project — not affiliated with or endorsed by MD Anderson Cancer Center. Funding & independence disclosure.
This content is for education only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment decisions.