Fluorescence guided surgery for high-grade glioma using Cetuximab and 5-ALA

Multispectral and Bimodal Fluorescent Guided Surgery (FGS) of High-grade Glioma for Refining Margin Assessment: A Phase 1 Dose Finding Study Using Cetuximab-IRDye800CW Combined With 5-ALA.

This study is testing a new imaging method using a special dye and a medication during surgery for high-grade glioma to see if it helps doctors see the tumor better compared to the standard method.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 21 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University Medical Center Groningen (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: Cetuximab
• Locations: 1 site (Groningen)
• Trial ID: NCT05929456 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the safety and optimal dosage of Cetuximab-IRDye800CW in patients with high-grade glioma undergoing surgery, comparing it to the standard 5-ALA fluorescent imaging agent. It is a phase I feasibility and dose-finding study that will assess the correlation of fluorescent signals from both agents using multispectral imaging. The study will include patients aged 18 and older who have been diagnosed with high-grade glioma and are scheduled for surgical intervention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with a confirmed diagnosis of high-grade glioma scheduled for surgery.

Not a fit: Patients with low-grade gliomas or those not scheduled for surgical intervention may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance the precision of surgical removal of high-grade gliomas, potentially improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using fluorescence-guided surgery for gliomas, but this specific combination of agents is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Willing to adhere to the prohibitions and restrictions specified in this protocol.
* Capable of giving signed informed consent (voluntarily), indicating that the patient understands the purpose and procedures required for the study and is willing to comply with the requirements and restrictions listed in the informed consent form and in this protocol.
* Patients aged ≥ 18 years inclusive at moment signing informed consent form.
* Established high-grade glioma (glioblastoma, grade 4 according to the WHO (World Health Organization) classification) and scheduled for surgical intervention.
* Life expectancy of \> 12 weeks.
* Karnofsky performance status of at least 70%.
* No clinically significant laboratory abnormalities as determined by the investigator

  o Note: one retest of lab tests is allowed within the screening window
* Female patients should fulfil one of the following criteria:

  * At least 1 year post-menopausal (amenorrhea \>12 months) at screening
  * Surgically sterile (bilateral oophorectomy, hysterectomy, or tubal ligation)
  * Women \>18 years of age who are fertile, need to agree to use an adequate form of contraceptives during and till 3 months after the study. Before study enrollment, a pregnancy test in blood or urine will be performed to rule out a pregnancy. In the case of an unlikely pregnancy during the study, they accept the possible maternal/ fetal risk of participation in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

General:

* Behavioral or cognitive impairment or psychiatric disease that in the opinion of the investigator affects the ability of the patient to understand and cooperate with the study protocol
* Deprived of freedom by an administrative or court order or in an emergency setting.
* Insufficient venous access for the study procedures.
* Close affiliation with the investigator; e.g. a close relative of the investigator, dependent person (e.g. employee or student), employee of the department of Neurosurgery of the UMCG (University Medical Center Groningen), or affiliates
* Any finding in the medical examinations or medical history giving, that in the opinion of the investigator, leads to a reasonable suspicion of a disease or condition that makes treatment with the investigational drug unadvisable, or that might affect interpretation of the results of the study or render the patient at high risk for treatment complications
* Participation in an interventional clinical study within 30 days prior to tracer administration that involved treatment with any drug (excluding vitamins and minerals) or medical device

Medical conditions

* Concomitant malignancies, including metastasized colon-, rectal-, breast carcinoma, non-small cellular lung carcinoma (NSCLC); primary epithelial ovarian-, fallopian tube-, primary peritoneal- or cervical carcinoma.
* Any abnormalities in the vital signs of the patient, as judged by the investigator, as a result of which the patient cannot participate
* eGFR (based on plasma-creatinine) outside of normal range at screening or known renal impairment (≤40 mL/min).
* Current evidence or history of bacterial, viral or fungal infections within 7 days before Cetuximab-IRDye800CW administration, as judged by the Investigator.

  o T \> = 38.0°C or lab confirmed viral/bacterial/fungal infection (PCR)) or symptoms suggestive of an infection)
* Any laboratory test which is abnormal, and which is deemed by the Investigator(s) to be clinically significant
* A history of anaphylaxis, history of allergic reaction(s), known allergy to one of the drugs or excipients administered as part of this study. Mild allergies without angioedema or treatment need can be acceptable if deemed not to be of clinical significance (including but not limited to allergy to animals or mild seasonal hay fever)

Where this trial is running

Groningen

• Umcg — Groningen, Netherlands (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Rob Groen, MD, PhD — University Medical Center Groningen
• Study coordinator: Yester Janssen, MD

Conditions Glioblastoma; High-grade Glioma; Fluorescence guided surgery; High-grade glioma; 5-ALA