Ultrasound opens brain barrier to supercharge immune attack on deadly tumor
NCT ID NCT07343986
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-stage trial tests a new treatment for a fast-growing brain cancer called glioblastoma. It combines special immune cells (EGFR BATs) with low-intensity focused ultrasound to temporarily open the blood-brain barrier, allowing more treatment to reach the tumor. The study involves 12 adults with a specific type of glioblastoma that has not responded to standard therapy. The main goals are to check safety and see if the treatment can get into the brain.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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About 12 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2026
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2028
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 to 70 years
- 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: 1. Newly diagnosed supratentorial glioblastoma or gliosarcoma IDH wildtype and MGMT unmethylated that express EGFR (score ≥ 1 by IHC)) and confirmed by UVA pathology review. 2. Age ≥ 18 and ≤ 70 years at the time of signing informed consent. 3. Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) ≥ 70. 4. Be willing and able to provide written informed consent for the trial. 5. Females of childbearing potential, and males, must be willing to use an effective method of contraception. 6. Maximal surgical debulking of the tumor was performed where residual contrast enhancement is 2 cm3 or less on immediate post-operative MRI. Intraoperative post-resection MRI is acceptable. 7. Able to communicate during the LIFU BBB opening procedure. 8. BBB opening target(s) must lie in non-eloquent area(s). 9. The brain tumor to be treated must be in the treatment envelope of the NaviFUS system with a minimum distance of 30 mm from the inner skull table. 10. Females of childbearing potential should have a negative serum pregnancy test. Males who are partners of females of childbearing potential must agree to use an acceptable method of contraception throughout the study and for 1 month following completion of the EGFR BATs infusions. 11. Demonstrate adequate organ function as defined in Table 1. All screening labs should be performed within 10 days before leukapheresis. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients with a diagnosis of another malignancy within 2 years of being on-study. Exceptions include basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has undergone potentially curative therapy, or any type of in situ cancer. Patients must not be on any treatment for another malignancy. 2. Patients undergoing only biopsy (partial resection or greater is required). 3. Patients with cerebellar or brainstem tumors. 4. Patients with evidence of leptomeningeal dissemination or subependymal spread on initial MRI. 5. Patients with extracranial metastases. 6. Patients with evidence of acute intracranial hemorrhage. 7. Known hypersensitivity to cetuximab or another EGFR antibody. 8. Known sensitivity to gadolinium-based contrast agents. 9. Known sensitivity to Lumason® ultrasound contrast agent. 10. Alpha 1,3 Galactose IgE ("alpha gal") test result outside of the reference range (indicating likely hypersensitivity to cetuximab). 11. Patients with claustrophobia. 12. Clips, shunts, or other non-MRI compatible metallic implanted objects in the skull or the brain. 13. Evidence of active bleeding or bleeding diathesis. 14. Unable to discontinue use of anticoagulant therapy as per local standard. 15. Scalp atrophy or scars in the expected location of the ultrasound transducer. 16. Cardiac Status: Patients will be ineligible for treatment on this protocol if (before protocol entry): * There is a history of a recent (within one year) myocardial infarction or stroke. * There is a current or prior history of angina/coronary symptoms requiring medications and/or a history of depressed left ventricular function (LVEF \< 45%). * Patient has a pacemaker. 17. There is clinical evidence of congestive heart failure requiring medical management. 18. Has Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (HIV 1/2 antibodies) or known active Hepatitis B (e.g., HBsAg reactive) or Hepatitis C (e.g., HCV RNA \[qualitative\] is detected). 19. Has received a live vaccine within 30 days of leukapheresis. 20. Has received any treatment for GBM besides surgery. 21. Females must not be pregnant or breastfeeding. 22. Ongoing immunosuppressive therapy except for corticosteroids 23. Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the trial, interfere with the subject's participation for the full duration of the trial, or is not in the best interest of the subject to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator. 24. A patient may be excluded if, in the opinion of the treating investigator, the patient is not capable of being compliant.
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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
1 site. 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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University of Virginia
RECRUITINGCharlottesville, Virginia, 22903, United States
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