APTw-CEST MRI to detect glioblastoma progression after radiotherapy
GLIMPCE: Glioblastoma Imaging for the Detection of Tumor Progression Using APTw-CEST MRI
This study tests whether a special MRI method called APTw-CEST can tell adults with glioblastoma who have had radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy whether new MRI changes mean true tumor growth or just treatment-related pseudoprogression.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Erasmus Medical Center Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 4 sites (Amsterdam and 3 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07121842 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This multicenter effort will add APTw-CEST sequences to routine MRIs for adults with confirmed or suspected glioblastoma who are scheduled for radiotherapy or combined chemo-radiotherapy, and will standardize acquisition and post-processing across sites. Investigators will compare APTw-CEST findings and proposed signal thresholds with clinical and radiological follow-up to classify lesions as true progression or pseudoprogression. The project aims to produce vendor-agnostic acquisition recommendations, a reproducible post-processing workflow, and a diagnostic threshold that works across centers. By validating these steps in multiple hospitals, the technique could become a clinically usable imaging biomarker.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (18+) with histologically confirmed or strongly suspected glioblastoma who are scheduled for radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy and can undergo MRI and provide informed consent.
Not a fit: Patients unable to have an MRI, those with brain conditions that alter CEST contrast (for example recent stroke or prior cranial radiotherapy), or those unable to consent are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, clinicians could distinguish true tumor growth from treatment effects earlier and more reliably, allowing faster treatment changes or avoiding unnecessary interventions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous single-center studies have shown APTw-CEST can distinguish true progression from pseudoprogression, but multicenter validation and standardization remain unestablished.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Confirmed diagnosis of glioblastoma based on histopathological or molecular analysis of biopsy after surgery, or suspected of glioblastoma based on medical imaging. * Scheduled to undergo radiotherapy or combined chemo-and radiotherapy * 18 years and older * Able to give informed consent. * Patient will undergo clinically indicated MRIs Exclusion Criteria: * Not able to give informed consent * Contraindication for MRI * Brain pathology affecting CEST contrast, such as recent stroke or earlier cranial radiotherapy, as determined by the principal investigators (PIs)
Where this trial is running
Amsterdam and 3 other locations
- Amsterdam UMC — Amsterdam, Netherlands (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Leiden UMC — Leiden, Netherlands (Recruiting)
- Erasmus MC — Rotterdam, Netherlands (Recruiting)
- UMC Utrecht — Utrecht, Netherlands (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Laura Kemper, MSc
- Email: l.kemper@erasmusmc.nl
- Phone: +310630720232
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.