Sound waves open brain barrier to attack deadly childhood tumor

NCT ID NCT05615623

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: InSightec Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-phase trial tests whether focused ultrasound can temporarily open the blood-brain barrier in children with a rare, aggressive brain tumor called DIPG. The goal is to let the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin reach the tumor more effectively. Only 10 children aged 5 to 18 will take part, and the main focus is on safety and feasibility, not yet on curing the disease.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: doxorubicin (a chemotherapy drug)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a new way to deliver chemotherapy directly to hard-to-treat brain tumors in children, potentially improving outcomes for DIPG.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small trial (10 children) focused on safety. The approach is experimental, may not shrink tumors, and carries risks from both the ultrasound procedure and chemotherapy side effects.

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

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for BRAIN TUMOR are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

brain cancer brain neoplasm diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

BRAIN TUMOR

Contacts and locations

Locations

Sunnybrook Research Institute

Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.