New trial tests stronger chemo cocktails and stem cell transplants for brain cancer

NCT ID NCT01011920

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 2 trial tested different combinations of high-dose chemotherapy drugs, with or without the targeted drug rituximab, in 227 patients newly diagnosed with primary CNS lymphoma. After initial chemotherapy, patients who responded well were randomly assigned to receive either whole-brain radiation or a stem cell transplant. The goal was to see which approach leads to better remission rates and longer survival without the cancer returning.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Methotrexate, Cytarabine, Rituximab, Thiotepa, and autologous stem cell transplant

What this could lead to

If successful, this could identify a more effective chemotherapy regimen and clarify whether stem cell transplant or brain radiation is better for controlling CNS lymphoma.

What could go wrong

This is a phase 2 trial with a moderate number of patients, so results may not be definitive. The treatments involve high-dose chemotherapy with significant side effects, and not all patients may respond or tolerate the therapy.

Disclaimer Read more

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 CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM LYMPHOMA are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

primary central nervous system lymphoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • "Klinik für Hämatologie Universitätsklinikum Essen"

    Essen, Germany

  • A.O. SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo

    Alessandria, Italy

  • AOU Pisana

    Pisa, Italy

  • Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova

    Reggio Emilia, Italy

  • Azienda Ospedaliera Sanitaria Santa Maria

    Terni, Italy

  • Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese

    Siena, Italy

  • Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale

    Udine, Italy

  • Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza

    San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy

  • Friedrich Schiller Universitaet Jena

    Jena, Germany

  • Georg-August-Universität

    Göttingen, Germany

  • Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda

    Milan, Italy

  • Herlev Hospital

    Herlev, Denmark

  • Humanitas

    Rozzano, Italy

  • IOSI - Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland

    Bellinzona, 6500, Switzerland

  • Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Fondazione G. Pascale

    Naples, Italy

  • Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori Regina Elena

    Roma, Italy

  • Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II

    Bari, Italy

  • Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz

    Mainz, Germany

  • Klinikum Bremen-Mitte

    Bremen, Germany

  • Klinikum Chemnitz

    Chemnitz, Germany

  • Klinikum der Johann-Wolfgang- Goethe-Universität

    Frankfurt am Main, Germany

  • Klinikum der Justus-Liebig-Universität

    Giessen, Germany

  • Medical Oncology Unit General Hospital

    Southampton, United Kingdom

  • Nottingham City Hospital

    Nottingham, United Kingdom

  • Ospedale Businco

    Cagliari, Italy

  • Ospedale Centrale di Bolzano

    Bolzano, Italy

  • Ospedale Civile S.Spirito

    Pescara, Italy

  • Ospedale Maggiore S. Giovanni Battista

    Torino, Italy

  • Ospedale Umberto I

    Nocera Inferiore, Italy

  • Ospedale degli Infermi

    Rimini, Italy

  • Ospedale delle Croci

    Ravenna, Italy

  • Policlinico G.B. Rossi

    Verona, Italy

  • Queen's Hospital

    Romford, United Kingdom

  • Rigshospitalet,

    Copenhagen, Denmark

  • SLK-Kliniken GmbH

    Heilbronn, Germany

  • San Raffaele H Scientific Institute

    Milan, Italy

  • Spedali Civili

    Brescia, Italy

  • Städtisches Klinikum

    Braunschweig, Germany

  • Technische Universität in München

    München, Germany

  • The Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

    Manchester, United Kingdom

  • ULSS 8 Berica - Ospedale S. Bortolo

    Vicenza, Italy

  • Uniklinik Freiburg

    Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany

  • University College Hospital

    London, United Kingdom

  • University Hospital

    Aarhus, Denmark

  • University Hospital

    Aachen, Germany

  • University Hospital Aintree

    Liverpool, United Kingdom

  • Università degli Studi La Sapienza

    Roma, Italy

  • Universitätsklinikum

    Cologne, Germany

  • Universitätsklinikum Erlangen

    Erlangen, Germany

  • Universitätsklinikum Halle

    Halle, Germany

  • Universitätsklinikum Ulm

    Ulm, Germany

  • Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes

    Homburg/Saar, Germany

  • Universitätsklinikum und Städtisches Krankenhaus

    Kiel, Germany

  • Universitätskrankenhaus Hamburg-Eppendorf

    Hamburg, Germany