Timing of brain radiation could change outcomes for cancer patients
NCT ID NCT05545007
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether giving focused radiation before surgery for large brain metastases works better than giving it after surgery. About 146 adults with solid tumors and one large brain metastasis will be randomly assigned to one of the two timing schedules. The main goal is to see if preoperative radiation reduces the chance of cancer spreading in the lining of the brain.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Hypofractionated Radiosurgery (HSRS)
- What this could lead to
- If this trial succeeds, it could establish a better timing for radiation to reduce the spread of cancer cells in the brain lining and improve local control.
- What could go wrong
- This is a mid-stage trial with only 146 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. Radiation before surgery may carry unknown risks like impaired wound healing.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 146 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2023
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age \>18 years * Histological or cytological or radiological confirmation of solid tumor malignancy * Clinical indication for surgical resection of one brain metastasis * Karnosky performance status (KPS) ≥70 * Controlled or responsive extra cranial metastatic lesions * Limited brain metastases (1-4 BMs) * Single metastatic lesion ≥ 2.1 cm in maximum diameter (4 cm3) * Lesions ≤2 cm conditioning mass effect or neurological deficits or massive edema unresponsive to steroids * Written informed consent form Exclusion Criteria: * Prior WBRT * KPS \< 70 * Diagnosis of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), germinal cell tumour or Lymphoproliferative disease * Pregnant women * Prior open neurosurgery for malignancy * More than 4 brain metastases * Patients with incompatibility to perform MRI
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
8 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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AOU Sant'Andrea
RECRUITINGRome, Rome, 00189, Italy
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AOUC Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi
RECRUITINGFlorence, Florence, 50134, Italy
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ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia
RECRUITINGBrescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
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Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria di Terni
RECRUITINGTerni, Terni, 05100, Italy
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Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta
RECRUITINGMilan, Milan, 20133, Italy
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Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli
RECRUITINGRome, Rome, 00168, Italy
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IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas
RECRUITINGRozzano, Milano, 20089, Italy
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Ospedale del Mare
RECRUITINGNaples, Naples, 80147, Italy
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Policlinico Umberto I
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITINGRome, Rome, 00161, Italy
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can doctors watch brain metastases instead of zapping them?
- Starving brain tumors of blood before surgery
- Tiny gadolinium particles aim to make brain radiation hit harder
- A sharper MRI could reveal radiation sensitivity of brain tumors
- Expert tumor board may extend survival in brain metastases
- Can a new pill outsmart lung cancer in the brain?