Where low-grade glioma treatment is heading
Low-grade glioma · Updated Nov 14, 2026
Low-grade gliomas are slow-growing brain tumors. In adults, most carry an IDH gene mutation (astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas, about 5,000 a year in the US), and many people live 10 to 15 years or longer, often with seizures. In children they are the most common brain tumor and are usually driven by BRAF changes. Treatment used to mean surgery, then radiation and chemotherapy with risks to memory; targeted pills (IDH inhibitors in adults, RAF and MEK inhibitors in children) now let many people delay or avoid those.
- 33studies open or running
- 7phase 3 trials
- 723papers published this year
- 18NIH-funded projects
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Now
Nov 2026
A targeted pill for IDH-mutant gliomaHappened -1.3% tumor growth per 6 months
Vorasidenib cut progression risk by 65% and held tumors steady (-1.3% growth every 6 months vs +14.4%).
-1.3%: tumor growth rate every 6 months, vs +14.4% with placebo.
Long survival for manyHappened 14.9 years median survival
Median survival for oligodendroglioma reached 12.9 to 14.9 years in a mature European trial.
14.9 years: median survival for oligodendroglioma with temozolomide.
A weekly pill for childrenHappened 51% response rate
Tovorafenib shrank tumors in 51% of children with relapsed BRAF-altered glioma.
51%: response rate.
-
6 months
by May 2027
Radiation with or without chemotherapyLikely
ECOG-ACRIN E3F05 (540 people) finishes December 2026.
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12 months
by Nov 2027
Tovorafenib vs chemotherapy as first treatmentLikely 51% response (relapsed)
FIREFLY-2 (418 children and young adults) finished enrolling in 2026; due June 2027.
51%: response rate.
A pill vs chemotherapy for children with NF1Possible
A Children's Oncology Group trial compares selumetinib with carboplatin-vincristine; due December 2027.
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3 years
by late 2029
A second IDH1 pillPossible 79.1% progression-free at 3 yrs
Nuvation's safusidenib is in a 365-person maintenance trial (due December 2028) and a new trial for grade 2 glioma.
79.1%: without progression at 36 months.
-
5 years
by late 2031
Vorasidenib after chemoradiationLong shot
EORTC VIGOR (468 people) tests vorasidenib as maintenance after chemoradiation for grade 2-3 astrocytoma; due 2035.
Selumetinib for children without NF1Long shot
A Children's Oncology Group trial (170 children) compares selumetinib with chemotherapy; due December 2030.
The research paths
IDH inhibitors
-1.3% tumor growth per 6 monthsDetails and 4 trialsHide
Vorasidenib approved; safusidenib and combinations in phase 3.
WatchVIGOR; safusidenib trials.
- Vorasidenib maintenance after chemoradiation (EORTC VIGOR)EORTC · 468 people · enrolling Apr 2035
- Safusidenib maintenance, IDH1-mutant gliomaNuvation Bio · 365 people · enrolling Dec 2028
- Safusidenib vs placebo, grade 2 IDH1-mutant gliomaNuvation Bio · 140 people · not yet open May 2029
- Vorasidenib plus temozolomideServier · 51 people · fully enrolled Nov 2027
RAF and MEK pills for children
51% response rateDetails and 4 trialsHide
Targeted pills replacing chemotherapy for BRAF- and NF1-driven tumors.
WatchFIREFLY-2; selumetinib trials.
- Tovorafenib vs chemotherapy, children (FIREFLY-2/LOGGIC)Day One Biopharmaceuticals · 418 people · fully enrolled Jun 2027
- Selumetinib vs carboplatin-vincristine, children without NF1Children's Oncology Group/NCI · 170 people · enrolling Dec 2030
- Selumetinib vs carboplatin-vincristine, children with NF1Children's Oncology Group/NCI · 165 people · fully enrolled Dec 2027
- Dabrafenib plus trametinib for BRAF V600 low-grade gliomaUniversity of California · 96 people · enrolling Mar 2032
Radiation and chemotherapy
14.9 years median survivalDetails and 1 trialsHide
Still the backbone for higher-risk tumors, now tailored by molecular subtype.
WatchE3F05 results.
Borrowed from other cancers
From Melanoma
Dabrafenib and trametinib
Approved
BRAF and MEK inhibitors approved for BRAF V600E pediatric glioma.
From NF1 plexiform neurofibromas
Selumetinib
Phase 3
A MEK inhibitor first approved for NF1 nerve tumors.
Open to join now
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IDH-mutant astrocytoma after chemoradiation
Vorasidenib maintenance
Locations and eligibility → -
IDH1-mutant glioma
Safusidenib maintenance
Locations and eligibility → -
Children without NF1
Selumetinib vs chemotherapy
Locations and eligibility → -
BRAF V600 low-grade glioma
Dabrafenib plus trametinib
Locations and eligibility →
See every recruiting Low-grade glioma trial →
When the trials finish
Completion dates the trials registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
- Heating up
- Maturing
- Early
- Cooling
- Fully enrolled, waiting on results
- Still enrolling
What just happened
Chemotherapy and radiation give similar long-term survival
EORTC 22033, J Clin Oncol.
Vorasidenib preserves quality of life and cuts seizures
INDIGO, Lancet Oncology.
Standard treatment today
- Adult, IDH-mutant, after surgeryWatch, or vorasidenib to delay radiation and chemotherapy.
- Adult, higher risk or growingRadiation plus chemotherapy (PCV or temozolomide).
- Child, needs treatmentChemotherapy (carboplatin-vincristine); dabrafenib-trametinib for BRAF V600E.
- Child, relapsedTovorafenib for BRAF-altered tumors; MEK inhibitors such as selumetinib.
How to read this page, and sourcesHow to read this page, and sources
- Adult IDH-mutant gliomas and pediatric low-grade gliomas are biologically different; check which group a result applies to.
- Forecasts are editorial judgments by Find a Trial, not predictions from sponsors or regulators.
See Low-grade glioma trials recruiting now →