Can spreading out brain radiation reduce side effects for immunotherapy patients?

NCT ID NCT05703269

Ongoing Symptom relief Sponsor: Wake Forest University Health Sciences Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looks at two ways to give radiation to brain tumors in people who are also receiving immunotherapy for cancers like lung, breast, kidney, or melanoma. The standard approach gives one high dose of radiation, while the experimental approach gives smaller doses over several days. The goal is to see if spreading out the radiation lowers the chance of side effects like brain swelling. About 58 adults with brain metastases will take part.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: radiation therapy (single fraction vs fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery)
What this could lead to: If fractionated radiation works better, it could become a new standard to reduce brain swelling and other side effects for patients on immunotherapy.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase study with only 58 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The benefit may be small or not seen at all.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

brain cancer breast cancer breast carcinoma breast neoplasm melanoma metastatic malignant neoplasm in the brain non-small cell lung carcinoma renal cell carcinoma small cell lung carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BRAIN METASTASES, ADULT BREAST CARCINOMA MELANOMA NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER NSCLC RENAL CELL CARCINOMA SCLC SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Aspirus Cancer Care - James Beck Cancer Center

Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, United States
Aspirus Cancer Care - Stevens Point

Stevens Point, Wisconsin, 54481, United States
Aspirus Cancer Care - Wisconsin Rapids

Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, 54494, United States
Aspirus Langlade Hospital

Antigo, Wisconsin, 54409, United States
Aspirus Regional Cancer Center

Wausau, Wisconsin, 54401, United States
Atrium Health Cabarrus/LCI-Concord

Concord, North Carolina, 28025, United States
Carolinas Medical Center/Levine Cancer Institute

Charlotte, North Carolina, 28203, United States
Crossroads Cancer Center

Effingham, Illinois, 62401, United States
Decatur Memorial Hospital

Decatur, Illinois, 62526, United States
Genesys Hurley Cancer Institute

Flint, Michigan, 48503, United States
Gibbs Cancer Center-Pelham

Greer, South Carolina, 29651, United States
HSHS Saint Elizabeth's Hospital

O'Fallon, Illinois, 62269, United States
Lewis Cancer and Research Pavilion at Saint Joseph's/Candler

Savannah, Georgia, 31405, United States
Lovelace Medical Center-Saint Joseph Square

Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87102, United States
Lovelace Radiation Oncology

Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87109, United States
Mercy Health - Perrysburg Hospital

Perrysburg, Ohio, 43551, United States
Mercy Hospital South

St Louis, Missouri, 63128, United States
Mercy Hospital Springfield

Springfield, Missouri, 65804, United States
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center

Peoria, Illinois, 61637, United States
Prisma Health Cancer Institute - Faris

Greenville, South Carolina, 29605, United States
Saint Francis Cancer Center

Greenville, South Carolina, 29607, United States
Saint Francis Hospital

Greenville, South Carolina, 29601, United States
Saint Joseph's/Candler - Bluffton Campus

Bluffton, South Carolina, 29910, United States
Saint Vincent Hospital Cancer Center Green Bay

Green Bay, Wisconsin, 54301, United States
Sanford Broadway Medical Center

Fargo, North Dakota, 58122, United States
Sanford Cancer Center Oncology Clinic

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57104, United States
Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center

Fargo, North Dakota, 58122, United States
Sanford USD Medical Center - Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57117-5134, United States
Spartanburg Medical Center

Spartanburg, South Carolina, 29303, United States
Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Hematology Oncology - Brighton

Brighton, Michigan, 48114, United States
Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Hematology Oncology Ann Arbor Campus

Ypsilanti, Michigan, 48197, United States
Trinity Health Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48106, United States
Trinity Health Saint Mary Mercy Livonia Hospital

Livonia, Michigan, 48154, United States
Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States

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