Light blast during brain surgery aims to fry leftover cancer cells

NCT ID NCT04391062

Completed Disease control Sponsor: University Hospital, Lille Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This phase 2 trial tested whether increasing the light dose during a special type of therapy called photodynamic therapy (PDT) is safe for people with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Fourteen patients received a drug (5-ALA) before surgery, then a red laser was shone on the tumor bed after removal. The goal was to find the highest safe light dose. The treatment was added on top of standard care: surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) plus red light laser
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a more effective way to destroy leftover cancer cells during brain tumor surgery, potentially delaying recurrence.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early-phase study with only 14 participants. The main goal is to find a safe light dose, not to prove it works. Risks include brain swelling or damage from the light therapy.

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.

glioblastoma neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

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

GLIOBLASTOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Hopital Roger Salengro, CHU Lille

Lille, 59037, France
Hôpital Erasme, Clinique Universitaire de Bruxelles

Brussels, Belgium

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