New combo therapy aims to stop returning brain tumors

NCT ID NCT04659811

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Nancy Ann Oberheim Bush, MD Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This phase II trial tests whether combining stereotactic radiosurgery (precise, high-dose radiation) with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) can help control recurrent meningioma, a type of brain tumor. The study enrolls 35 adults whose tumors have returned after prior surgery and radiation. The main goal is to see how many patients remain progression-free after 12 months.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and stereotactic radiosurgery
What this could lead to: If successful, this combination could offer a new treatment option that delays tumor regrowth in patients with recurrent meningioma.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase study (35 participants) without a control group, so results may not confirm benefit. Pembrolizumab can cause immune-related side effects.

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.

benign meningioma grade II meningioma grade III meningioma meningioma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

GRADE I MENINGIOMA, ADULT GRADE II MENINGIOMA, ADULT GRADE III MENINGIOMA, ADULT RECURRENT MENINGIOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of California, San Francisco

San Francisco, California, 94143, United States

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