Five-day radiation for children and young adults with incurable brain cancers

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a single-arm prospective pilot testing a short-course palliative radiotherapy regimen delivering 20 Gy in 5 fractions over 5 days to pediatric patients with incurable intracranial malignancies. The regimen shortens treatment compared with standard multi-week daily radiation (typically up to ~3 Gy per day over two weeks or more). Eligibility requires multidisciplinary tumor board consensus of intracranial relapse or metastasis and at least one targetable intracranial lesion, and patients must have a Lansky performance status ≥40. The primary focus is safety with attention to quality-of-life outcomes and feasibility at a single center.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female, aged 21 years or below
* Lansky performance status \>= 40
* Has a diagnosis of an incurable malignancy that:

  * Originates outside the brain but is metastatic to 1 or more sites within the brain, or originates and recurs within the brain. For this diagnosis to be confirmed, there must be multidisciplinary review of up to date imaging at a pediatric tumor board with unanimous consensus of intracranial relapse or metastasis. If the consensus is not unanimous, short-interval repeat imaging with subsequent unanimous consensus would be required in order for this eligibility criteria to be met
  * Has at least 1 targetable intracranial lesion as seen on imaging
  * Has a multidisciplinary consensus recommendation for palliative intent radiation
* Consents to the study or has caregiver who is able to provide signed and dated informed consent. For subjects under the age of 18, a signed and dated assent form as able.
* Patients who had prior radiation in planned treatment area are also eligible to enter the trial
* Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Radiotherapy for curative intent
* Serious uncontrolled systemic or psychiatric disorders that would interfere with participation in the protocol
* Being planned for proton radiation

Where it's running

• University of Pennsylvania
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Michael LaRiviere, MD — University of Pennsylvania
• Study coordinator: Kelly Clark
• Email: Kelly.Clark3@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
• Phone: 267-854-5332

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.