Could your gut bacteria hold clues to childhood brain tumors?
NCT ID NCT07417085
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at the bacteria and fungi in the gut and tumors of 100 children aged 3–18 who are suspected of having a brain tumor. Researchers want to see if changes in these microbes are linked to the tumor's presence or growth. The goal is to learn more, not to test a new treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could reveal whether gut or tumor microbes play a role in pediatric brain tumors, pointing toward new ways to detect or treat them.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early observational study, not a treatment trial. It may find no meaningful links, and results may not lead to any direct benefit for patients.
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 100 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2025
- Expected to finish
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Oct 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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3 to 18 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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: * aged between 3 and 18 years with suspected CNS tumour undergoing neurosurgery (intracranial and spinal localisation) * Patients who have not undergone prolonged antibiotic or probiotic therapy in the three months prior to sample collection. * Signature of informed consent form. Exclusion Criteria: * personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (colitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) and congenital or acquired gastrointestinal diseases (coeliac disease, diverticulitis and diverticulosis, peritonitis, Hirschsprung's disease, short bowel syndrome, intestinal malrotation or duplication, intestinal atresia, omphalocele, presence of stomas, acute gastroenteritis) * history of previous cancer-related treatments * diagnosis of brain tumour not confirmed by histology (data obtainable post-surgery)
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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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Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS
RECRUITINGFlorence, Firenze, 50139, Italy
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