New light therapy for brain cancer shows promise in early trial

NCT ID NCT03897491

Terminated Disease control Sponsor: photonamic GmbH & Co. KG Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This trial tested a light-activated drug called PD L 506 (5-aminolevulinic acid) in 17 adults with a type of aggressive brain tumor called glioblastoma that could not be fully removed by surgery. The drug is given by mouth and then activated by a laser inserted into the brain to kill tumor cells. The study was stopped early, so it is not yet clear if this treatment is safe or effective enough to help patients live longer.

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 (a drug that makes tumor cells sensitive to light)
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could offer a new treatment option for glioblastoma patients whose tumors cannot be fully removed by surgery.
What could go wrong: This was a very small, early-phase trial that was terminated early, so results are limited. The treatment involves a complex procedure with risks of serious side effects, and it is unclear if it improves survival.

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 IDH-wildtype glioblastoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

GLIOBLASTOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Klinikum der Universität München

München, 81377, Germany
Uniklinik Köln

Cologne, 50924, Germany
Universitätsklinikum Münster

Münster, 48149, Germany

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