Sound waves and drug team up against brain tumors
NCT ID NCT04559685
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-phase trial tested a combination of a drug called aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and focused ultrasound to treat recurrent high-grade glioma, an aggressive brain cancer. The study aimed to see if this sonodynamic therapy could safely damage tumor cells. Only 10 participants were enrolled before the study was terminated, so the findings are limited.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- aminolevulinic acid (ALA) combined with MR-guided focused ultrasound
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could point toward a new way to treat recurrent brain tumors without surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very early, small study (only 10 participants planned) that was terminated early, so results are limited. The treatment may not work or could have side effects.
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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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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10 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2021
- Finished
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Nov 2024
- 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 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. Arms A-D: Prior resection of histologically diagnosed high-grade gliomas (III and IV) defined as participants who have progressed on or following standard therapy as determined by the investigator. Arm E: Participant at first recurrence with an unmethylated HGG, has completed standard therapy and is not currently scheduled for resection. 2. Recurrence must be confirmed by diagnostic biopsy with local pathology review or contrast-enhanced MRI with positive perfusion. 3. Arms A-D (only): Have measurable disease preoperatively, defined as at least 1 contrast-enhancing lesion, with a volume of at least 6 cm3 and ≤ 20cm3 of targeted treatment area. 4. Age ≥18 at time of consent. 5. Have a performance status (PS) of ≤2 on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology (Group (ECOG) scale (Oken et al. 1982). 6. Has adequate bone marrow and organ function as defined by the following laboratory values (as assessed by the local laboratory for eligibility) Adequate bone marrow function: * absolute neutrophil count ≥1,000/mcL * Platelets (at time of surgery) ≥100,000/mcL * hemoglobin ≥8.0 g/dL Participants may receive erythrocyte transfusions to achieve this hemoglobin level at the discretion of the investigator. Adequate hepatic and renal function: * total bilirubin ≤1.5 X ULN. Participants with Gilbert's syndrome with a total bilirubin ≤2.0 times ULN and direct bilirubin within normal limits are permitted. * AST(SGOT) ≤3 X institutional ULN * ALT(SGPT) ≤3 X institutional ULN * GGT ≤3 X institutional ULN * Serum creatinine ≤1.5 X institutional ULN 7. Confirmed negative serum pregnancy test (β-hCG) before starting study treatment or participant has had a hysterectomy. 8. For females of reproductive potential: use of highly effective contraception for at least 1 month prior to screening and agreement to use such a method during study participation and for an additional 3 months after the end of treatment administration. 9. For males of reproductive potential: use of condoms or other methods to ensure effective contraception with partner and for an additional 1 month after the end of treatment administration. A condom is required to be used also by vasectomized men as well as during intercourse with a male partner to prevent delivery of the drug via seminal fluid. 10. Participants who received chemotherapy must have recovered (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events \[CTCAE\] Grade ≤1) from the acute effects of chemotherapy except for residual alopecia or Grade 2 peripheral neuropathy prior to Day 1. A washout period of at least 14 days is required between last chemotherapy dose and Day 1 (provided the patient did not receive radiotherapy). 11. Participants who received radiotherapy must have completed and fully recovered from the acute effects of radiotherapy. A washout period of at least 14 days is required between end of radiotherapy and Day 1. 12. Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document (personally or by the legally authorized representative, if applicable). 13. Has voluntarily agreed to participate by giving written informed consent (personally or via legally authorized representative(s), and assent if applicable). Written informed consent for the protocol must be obtained prior to any screening procedures. If consent cannot be expressed in writing, it must be formally documented and witnessed, ideally via an independent trusted witness. 14. Willingness and ability to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plans, Lifestyle Considerations, laboratory tests and other procedures. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Known active systemic bacterial infection (requiring intravenous \[IV\] antibiotics at time of initiating study treatment), fungal infection, or detectable viral infection (such as known human immunodeficiency virus positivity or with known active hepatitis B or C \[for example, hepatitis B surface antigen positive\]. Screening is not required for enrollment. 2. Have had a recent (≤3 months prior to first dose of study drug) transient ischemic attack or stroke. 3. Significant vascular disease (e.g. aortic aneurysm) 4. Evidence of bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy 5. Diagnosis of porphyria 6. Unstable angina and/or congestive heart failure within the last 6 months 7. Transmural myocardial infarction within the last 6 months 8. Serious and inadequately controlled cardiac arrhythmia 9. Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 10. Inability to undergo MRI (e.g., presence of a pacemaker) 11. Pregnancy or breastfeeding 12. Has serious and/or uncontrolled preexisting medical condition(s) that, in the judgment of the investigator, would preclude participation in this study. 13. Simultaneous use of other potentially phototoxic substances (e.g. tetracyclines, sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, hypericin extracts) 14. Hypersensitivity against porphyrins 15. Treatment with another investigational drug within 30 days prior to enrollment or within 5 half-lives of the investigational product, whichever is longer. 16. Has an Overall Skull Density Ratio of 0.45 (±0.05) or less as calculated from the screening CT.
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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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St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
Phoenix, Arizona, 85013, United States
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