Proton beams may ease brain tumor treatment side effects

NCT ID NCT04752280

Symptom relief Sponsor: University Hospital Heidelberg Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tests whether proton beam radiation causes fewer side effects than standard photon radiation in people with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. About 326 patients will receive either proton or photon therapy alongside standard care. The main goal is to see if proton therapy reduces early toxicities within the first four months, while also tracking survival and quality of life.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Proton beam radiation
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that proton therapy causes fewer short-term side effects than standard photon radiation for glioblastoma patients.
What could go wrong: This trial focuses on reducing side effects, not on curing the disease. The overall prognosis for glioblastoma remains poor, and the benefit may be limited to early toxicity reduction.

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

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

About 326 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Apr 2021

Expected to finish

Jan 2033

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

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * histologically confirmed gliomblastoma WHO IV (operated or after biopsy) * Indication for radiotherapy / radiochemotherapy * Informed consent * KI ≥ 60% or ECOG 0/1 * Age ≥ 18 years * Sufficient effective contraception Exclusion Criteria: * Patient is not able to consent * Previous radiotherapy in the brain or skull base * Active medical implants for which there is no ion radiation authorization at the time of treatment (e.g., cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, ...) * Contraindication to MRI imaging * Simultaneous participation in another clinical trial that could influence the outcome of this study or other study

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

glioblastoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Glioblastoma

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

3 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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.

Proton beams may ease brain tumor treatment side effects

What the study statuses mean