Laser and radiation combo takes on recurrent brain tumors
NCT ID NCT04181684
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 28, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This pilot study is testing a two-step treatment for people whose gliomas (a type of brain tumor) have come back after standard therapy. First, doctors use a laser guided by MRI to destroy as much tumor as possible. Then, they give a short course of focused radiation. The main goal is to see if this combination is safe and can help control the tumor's growth. About 32 participants will be enrolled.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) and hypofractionated radiation therapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this combination could offer a new treatment option to control recurrent gliomas and extend time without tumor progression.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early pilot study with only 32 participants. It focuses on safety first, so it's too soon to know if it will improve survival. There are risks from both the laser procedure and radiation.
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
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39 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2020
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
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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22 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: 1. Patients with history of a WHO Grade II-IV glioma with radiographic evidence of recurrent or progressive tumor * Patient must have received prior radiation therapy for initial treatment of glioma * Patients with any number of recurrences are allowed as long as the patient has not undergone re-irradiation 2. Brain MRI with contrast demonstrates an enhancing tumor ≤ 6 cm in largest diameter within 60 days prior to registration 3. History and physical including neurological exam within 30 days prior to registration 4. Karnofsky performance status ≥ 60% within 30 days prior to registration 5. Age ≥ 22 years old 6. Minimum interval since completion of prior radiation treatment is 8 weeks * Patients will only receive re-irradiation if pathology from LITT is consistent with recurrent tumor 7. Patients must have signed an approved informed consent 8. Patients with the potential for pregnancy or impregnating their partner must agree to practice effective contraceptive methods to avoid conception while on study and for 6 months after study completion. 9. Female patients of child-bearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test within 28 days prior to study registration. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients that are not surgical candidates for stereotactic biopsy or laser ablation 2. Patients with impaired cardiac function or clinically significant cardiac diseases, including any of the following: * History or presence of serious uncontrolled ventricular or significant arrhythmias. * Any of the following within 6 months prior to registration: myocardial infarction, severe/unstable angina, coronary artery bypass graft, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic attack , pulmonary embolism 3. Infratentorial tumor or evidence of leptomeningeal spread 4. Inability to undergo a MRI 5. Pregnant or breast-feeding women
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Baltimore Washington Medical Center
Glen Burnie, Maryland, 21061, United States
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Central Maryland Radiation Oncology
Columbia, Maryland, 21044, United States
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UCH Kaufman Cancer Center
Bel Air, Maryland, 21014, United States
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University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center
Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States
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