Boron neutron capture treatment with B10 L-BPA for malignant brain tumors

A Phase I/II Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of the Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) Using B10 L-BPA as Boron Carrier in Malignant Brain Tumors.

This trial will test boron neutron capture therapy using B10 L-BPA in adults with WHO grade 3 or 4 malignant brain tumors to see if it is safe and can shrink tumors.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase1; Phase2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 10 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: China Medical University Hospital (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: bevacizumab, chemotherapy, radiation
• Locations: 2 sites (Hsinchu and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07003139 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This Phase I/II interventional trial gives B10 L-BPA by injection followed by boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) to target malignant brain tumors. Eligible adults must have WHO grade 3 or 4 tumors with at least one measurable lesion ≤250 cm^3 and an ECOG performance status of 0–2, and must meet required washout periods after prior radiation and systemic therapy. The main outcome is tumor response measured by RECIST v1.1, with safety closely monitored for neurologic and systemic adverse effects. Treatments and follow-up imaging are performed at specialized centers equipped with a neutron source to track efficacy and toxicity.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18) with histologically or radiographically confirmed WHO grade 3 or 4 malignant brain tumors, at least one measurable lesion ≤250 cm^3, ECOG ≤2, and who meet washout intervals after prior radiation (≥3 months) and systemic therapy (≥1 month) are the intended participants.

Not a fit: Patients with excluded histologies (Grade 3 intracranial ependymoma, medulloblastoma, primary CNS lymphoma), very large or non-measurable tumors, poor performance status (ECOG >2), recent radiation/systemic therapy within the required windows, or inability to attend the treatment centers are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a more targeted way to damage tumor cells while sparing normal brain tissue, potentially improving local tumor control.

How similar studies have performed: BNCT using boron carriers such as BPA has shown promising results in small case series and early-phase studies for recurrent gliomas and other tumors, but randomized or large-scale evidence is limited and the approach remains investigational.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age of 18 years and older.
2. Patients with malignant brain tumors confirmed by histological and/or medical imaging, classified as WHO Grade 3 or 4 according to the World Health Organization of tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) classification, excluding those with histologically confirmed Grade 3 intracranial ependymoma, medulloblastoma, and primary CNS lymphoma.
3. There must be a time interval ≥ 3 months between prior radiation therapy and the scheduled BNCT.
4. There must be a time interval ≥ 1 month between receipt of antitumor drugs and the scheduled BNCT.
5. Within 4 weeks prior to the screening visit, measurable disease by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or computed tomography (CT) scan showing a volume ≦ 250 cm\^3, longest dimension \< 7 cm.
6. At least one measurable lesion that can be assessed by RECIST v1.1.
7. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Score ≤ 2.
8. Life expectancy ≥ 3 months in the opinion of the investigator.
9. Adequate organ functions as defined below:

   * Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dL.
   * White blood cell (WBC) count ≥ 2.5 x 10\^3/μL.
   * Neutrophil count ≥ 1.5 × 10\^3/μL.
   * Platelet count ≥ 80 × 10\^3/μL.
   * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 2.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN).
   * Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 2.5 × ULN.
   * Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 × ULN
   * Estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) ≥ 15 mL / min / 1.73m\^2
10. Female subjects with reproductive potential must have a negative result of serum pregnancy test at the screening visit and urine pregnancy test before the B10 L-BPA administration. However, if the subject has been menopausal for at least 2 years (more than 24 months since the last menstrual period) or uses surgical birth control, testing is not required.
11. Female subject with childbearing potential as well as male subject with reproductive potential must agree to refrain from unprotected sex and use 2 methods of highly effective contraception with their partner (e.g. barrier contraceptives \[male condom, female condom, or diaphragm plus spermicide\], intrauterine device, hormonal methods \[hormone shot or injection, implants, combination oral contraceptives, or patches\]) for ≥ 6 months after the BNCT until the end of this study.
12. Physically and mentally capable of participating in the study and willing to adhere to study procedures.
13. Provision of signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with malignant brain tumors complicated by any of the following conditions:

   * Extracranial metastases.
   * Multiple intracranial lesions on both sides.
2. The investigator assesses that the subject has concurrent infections or other malignant tumors and is not suitable to participate in the trial.
3. Patients with malignant brain tumors are considered eligible for standard surgical treatment that is effective against the tumor.
4. A time interval less than 3 months from previous radiation therapy for intracranial region.
5. A time interval less than 3 months from last brain surgery (excluding drainage procedures and biopsy) and less than 1 month from previous chemotherapy.
6. The adverse event of previous anti-tumor therapy were NCI-CTCAE V5.0 grade evaluation ≧ Class 3 (excluding alopecia and peripheral neuropathy).
7. Received or expect to receive any investigational drug, biologic or device within 1 month prior to the scheduled BNCT.
8. Patients receiving or expected to receive vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (except bevacizumab) or live attenuated vaccines within 1 month prior to the scheduled BNCT.
9. Patients received major surgery within 1 month prior to the scheduled BNCT or are still recovering from a previous surgery. The investigator will evaluate the subject's condition when the subject receives major surgery. Major surgery is defined as procedure that requires general anaesthesia and/or anticipated hospitalization longer than 24 hours, with significant risk of blood loss or complications. Examples include heart surgery, organ transplants, and prolonged operations such as certain back surgeries. Procedures such as stent implantation, biopsy, endoscopy, and day surgery are excluded.
10. Patients who had radiation myelitits or radiation necrosis of the brain/brain stem.
11. Patient who is prone to vascular rupture during the trial as assessed by the investigator. The Patient will be eligible for the study if they have undergone stent implantation and obtained consent from the investigator.
12. Patients with severe congestive heart failure or renal failure, as well as myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or poorly controlled arrhythmia within 6 months prior to the scheduled BNCT.
13. Severe comorbidities, including but not limited to poorly controlled epilepsy, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, poorly controlled hypertension; chronic lung diseases (e.g., obstructive pneumonia, interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, and severe emphysema); kidney diseases (e.g., chronic renal failure, acute renal failure and nephrotic syndrome); cardiac diseases (e.g., New York Heart Association \[NYHA\] Functional Classification Class III or IV); phenylketonuria; and/or other severe conditions in the opinion of the investigator.
14. Suspected or known hypersensitivity (including allergy) to boron or any component of the study drug or contrast media.
15. Subject with hereditary fructose intolerance.
16. With a cardiac pacemaker or will interfere with MRI-based or CT-based dose-planning or tumor response evaluation.
17. Restless subjects who are unable to lie or sit in a cast for more than 30 minutes.
18. Any medical or psychiatric conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with optimal participation in the study or place the subject at increased risk of adverse events (AEs).
19. Female subject who is planning to be pregnant or lactating during the study period.
20. Subject who is considered unfit to participate in the clinical study as assessed by the investigator.
21. Subject who has received prior BNCT.

Where this trial is running

Hsinchu and 1 other locations

• China Medical University Hsinchu Hospital — Hsinchu, Taiwan (Recruiting)
• China Medical University Hospital — Taichung, Taiwan (Recruiting)

Conditions Malignant Brain Tumors; L-4-Boronophenylalanine; -4-Borono-L-phenylalanine; BNCT; Boron Neutron Capture Therapy; Borofalan