Could a common metabolic drug help fight brain cancer?
NCT ID NCT05120284
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This Phase 2 trial tests whether dichloroacetate (DCA), a drug that affects cell energy use, can alter tumor metabolism in people with recurrent glioblastoma. Forty patients scheduled for surgery will either receive DCA or no drug for one week before their operation. Researchers will then compare tumor tissue to see if DCA changes key proteins linked to cancer growth.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
dichloroacetate (DCA)
What this could lead to
If successful, this trial could show that DCA changes tumor metabolism in a way that might lead to new treatment options for glioblastoma.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase study focused on biological markers, not survival or tumor shrinkage. The drug may not show meaningful clinical benefit, and side effects are possible.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Locations
-
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
Baltimore, Maryland, 21231, United States
-
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27587, United States