Sound waves open brain barrier to attack deadly childhood tumors

NCT ID NCT05762419

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early study tests whether focused ultrasound can safely open the blood-brain barrier in children with progressive diffuse midline glioma (DMG), a rare and aggressive brain tumor. Ten children aged 4–21 will receive oral etoposide chemotherapy after ultrasound treatment to allow more drug to reach the tumor. The goal is to see if the procedure is safe and feasible, not yet to measure effectiveness.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Etoposide (oral chemotherapy) combined with focused ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier

What this could lead to

If successful, this approach could improve drug delivery to brain tumors, potentially slowing disease progression in children with diffuse midline glioma.

What could go wrong

This is a very early, small feasibility study (10 children). It primarily tests safety and whether the blood-brain barrier can be opened—not yet whether it improves outcomes. Risks include side effects from etoposide and the ultrasound procedure.

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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.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

brain cancer brain disorder central nervous system cancer diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27M-mutant glioma nervous system cancer

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Columbia University Irving Medical Center

    RECRUITING

    New York, New York, 10032, United States

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact