Experimental pill takes on deadliest brain tumor
NCT ID NCT04319276
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-stage study tests an oral drug called gallium maltolate in 26 people whose glioblastoma (a severe brain cancer) has returned after prior treatment. The main goal is to find a safe dose and see if it can slow tumor growth. Participants take the drug by mouth and are monitored with regular scans.
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
-
Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
-
26 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Nov 2022
- Expected to finish
-
Mar 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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. Voluntary written consent must be obtained before performance of any study-related procedure not part of standard medical care, with the understanding that consent may be withdrawn by the subject at any time without prejudice to future medical care. 2. All patients must have a prior histological diagnosis of GBM (WHO grade IV) or molecular features of GBM (per the 6th volume of Central Nervous System Tumors in the 5th edition of the WHO Classification of Tumors). 3. Patients are required to have received standard treatment which consists of radiotherapy and temozolomide \[i.e., the Stupp Protocol (3)\] Treatment with adjuvant temozolimide must be completed at least four weeks prior to GaM administration to avoid potential for overlapping toxicity with GaM. Although the half-life (T½) of temozolomide is 1.8 hours and it would be expected to be cleared by five half-lives, some patients receiving temozolomide may experience a delayed suppression of their ANC. Hence, a four-week interval between completion of temozolomide and GaM will be required. There is no maximum limit to the amount of chemotherapy or radiation patients have received prior to enrollment. 4. Patients must have measurable disease that can be assessed for response to treatment as defined by the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria which incorporates MRI assessment and clinical factors. In the absence of measurable disease, pathologic confirmation of recurrent disease is required. 5. Male or female subjects must be ≥18 years of age. 6. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-2. 7. Patients must have adequate bone marrow function as evidenced by: 1. an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of \>1500/μL (stable off any growth factor within one week of study drug administration 2. Hemoglobin \> 9 g/dL 3. Platelet count \> 100.000/μL without transfusion within one week 8. Patients must have adequate hepatic and renal function based on the following laboratory tests: a. alanine transaminase (ALT) ≤ 2 x upper limits of normal (ULN) b. aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 2 x ULN c. Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2 x ULN d. Total bilirubin ≤ 2 x ULN e. Creatinine \< 1.5 mg/dL or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) \> 45 9. Female subjects must meet one of the following: * Postmenopausal for at least one year before enrollment, OR * Surgically sterile (i.e., undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy), OR * If subject is of childbearing potential (defined as not satisfying either of the above two criteria), agree to practice two acceptable methods of contraception (combination methods require use of two of the following: diaphragm with spermicide, cervical cap with spermicide, contraceptive sponge, male or female condom, hormonal contraceptive) from the time of signing of the informed consent form through 21days after the last dose of study agent, OR * Agree to practice true abstinence when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject. (Periodic abstinence \[e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, postovulation methods\] and withdrawal are not acceptable contraception methods.) 10. Male subjects, even if surgically sterilized (i.e., status post-vasectomy), must agree to one of the following: * Practice effective barrier contraception during the entire study period and through 60 calendar days after the last dose of study agent, OR * Agree to practice true abstinence when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject. (Periodic abstinence \[e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, post-ovulation methods\] and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception.) 11. Patients taking oral iron supplements or iron chelators must discontinue these medications at least one week prior to starting GaM since these agents may impact on the efficacy of GaM. Drug-drug interactions between GaM and other concomitant medications have not been reported. Exclusion Criteria 1. Presence of other active malignant disease diagnosed within 12 months, with the exception of adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer, adequately treated melanoma grade 2 or less, or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Active malignancy is malignancy receiving treatment. 2. Prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy within 14 days of study entry. 3. Known hypersensitivity to or intolerance to gallium-based medications. 4. Concurrent use of cytotoxic chemotherapy is not permitted. 5. Unstable or severe concurrent medical conditions such as severe heart (New York Heart Association Class 3 or 4) or known lung (FEV \<50%) disease, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. 6. History of interstitial lung disease, history of slowly progressive dyspnea and unproductive cough, sarcoidosis, silicosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypersensitivity pneumonitis, or symptomatic pleural effusion. 7. Patients who have not completed all standard-of-care treatments including surgical procedures and radiation therapy. 8. Inability to tolerate an oral medication or keep pills down. 9. Patients who are pregnant or nursing. 10. Patients with any condition which, in the investigator's opinion, makes the patient unsuitable for study participation.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Glioblastoma are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Froedtert Hospital & the Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a trio of repurposed drugs shrink recurrent brain tumors?
- Can an existing drug boost bevacizumab against recurrent brain cancer?
- One extra radiation dose after standard brain cancer therapy: can it boost the immune system?
- Radioactive tracer lights up Oxygen-Starved brain tumors
- Can a common virus vaccine help fight brain cancer?
- Radioactive tiles target brain tumors in frail patients