Gene therapy takes on deadly brain tumors in new trial
NCT ID NCT03596086
First seen Apr 05, 2026 · Last updated Jun 22, 2026 · Updated 9 times
Summary
This study tests a gene therapy (HSV-tk) plus valacyclovir, along with radiation and chemotherapy, in people whose glioblastoma or high-grade astrocytoma has returned. The goal is to see if this combination can improve survival. About 62 participants will receive the treatment directly into the tumor site during surgery, followed by standard therapies.
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This is a summary of
the original study
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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.
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Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Houston Methodist Neurological Institute
RECRUITINGHouston, Texas, 77030, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
gene therapy (HSV-tk) plus valacyclovir
What this could lead to
If successful, this could offer a new treatment option that extends survival for people with recurrent glioblastoma, a brain cancer with few effective therapies.
What could go wrong
This is an early-phase trial with only 62 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Gene therapy carries risks like inflammation or infection, and the combination with radiation and chemo may cause significant side effects.
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.