Vitamin c and iron combo takes on brain cancer in early trial
NCT ID NCT04900792
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 21, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This early-phase trial tests whether adding high-dose vitamin C and an iron supplement (ferumoxytol) to standard radiation and chemotherapy can help adults with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor. The study includes 17 participants and focuses on finding a safe dose. Researchers will also track how long patients live without the cancer growing.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- vitamin C (ascorbate) and ferumoxytol (an iron supplement)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a way to boost standard treatment for glioblastoma, potentially helping patients live longer.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early phase 1 trial with only 17 people, so it's mainly checking safety, not effectiveness. The added treatments may cause side effects or not improve outcomes.
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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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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16 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2023
- 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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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: * Willingness and ability to provide informed consent consistent with Good Clinical Practice (i.e., legally authorized representative will not be used / allowed for this study). * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures for the duration of the study * Aged 18 years or older. * Newly diagnosed (i.e., within 6 weeks), histologically or molecularly confirmed glioblastoma or diffuse midline glioma. * Therapy to begin within 6 weeks of last surgery * Able to take oral medication * ECOG performance status of 0, 1, or 2 (KPS of \>50) * Recommended to receive temozolomide and radiation therapy * Medically fit, as determined by the prescribing oncologists, to undergo temozolomide and radiation therapy. * Agree to use of highly effective contraception from screening until at least 90 days after the last study treatment (study participant should not discontinue contraception until discussing with their treating oncologist(s)). * Not have significant co-morbid central nervous system disease, such as multiple sclerosis. * Agree to Lifestyle Considerations throughout study duration Exclusion Criteria: * Current use of the following drugs and cannot have a drug substitution or decline the drug substitution: warfarin, flecainide, methadone, amphetamines, quinidine, and chlorpropamide. Pharmacologic ascorbic acid may affect urine acidification and, as a result, may affect clearance rates of these drugs. * Current use of antiretroviral drugs (e.g., nelfinavir, abacavir, emtricitabine, lamivudine, stavudine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, zidovudine). Pharmacologic ascorbate acid is a known CYP450 3A4 inducer, which results in lower serum levels of antiretroviral drugs. * Insulin requirement * Requires blood glucose monitoring using finger-stick glucose checks. * Medical requirement or indication for iron supplementation (including ferumoxytol, ferrous gluconate, ferrous fumarate, or ferrous sulfate). NOTE: Over the counter, patient-elective supplementation is acceptable. * Inability to undergo MR imaging. * Pregnancy or lactation (note: potential participants should not engage in 'pump \& dump' strategy; lactation must be discontinued). * Known allergic reactions to ferumoxytol. * History of Steven's Johnson Syndrome * History of hemochromatosis. * Prior radiation treatment that would result in field overlap. For potential participants who have undergone nuclear medicine therapy, including PRRT, the study's radiation oncologist must approve study entry. * G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency * Platelet count \< 100,000 /mm3 within 21 days of first treatment * Creatinine ≥ 1.5x the institutional upper limit of normal within 21 days of the first treatment or if creatinine is elevated a creatinine clearance of \< 60 mL/(min 1.73 m2) * Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection (requiring inpatient admission or a delay to start of therapy), symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements. * Treatment with another investigational drug within 30 days prior to study treatment day 1. Imaging trials (including investigational PET or NM tracers) as well as observational trials are acceptable. * Clinical trials with an endpoint of treating the patient's cancer, including behavioral, nutritional and/or device human subject studies.
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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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Department of Radiation Oncology at University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
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