Investigating the link between smell and survival in glioblastoma patients
Prognostic Potential of Olfactory Function in Glioblastoma: a Prospective Observational Study
This study is trying to see if the ability to smell can give us clues about how well glioblastoma patients are doing and how long they might live.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 128 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Essen Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 2 sites (Essen and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06954636 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to explore the prognostic significance of olfactory function in patients diagnosed with glioblastoma. It will assess olfactory abilities at various stages of treatment and correlate these findings with survival rates, neurocognitive performance, and quality of life. The study will involve a cohort of 64 glioblastoma patients and a control group of 64 individuals without tumor disease, utilizing olfactory tests, neurocognitive assessments, and MRI evaluations to gather comprehensive data. Additionally, molecular analyses will be conducted to investigate the relationship between olfactory function and glioblastoma characteristics.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older who have been newly diagnosed with IDH wild-type glioblastoma and have not undergone prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Not a fit: Patients with neurodegenerative diseases or significant prior head or neck surgeries may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new prognostic marker for survival and quality of life in glioblastoma patients.
How similar studies have performed: While olfactory function has been studied in relation to various conditions, this specific approach in glioblastoma is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * At least 18 years of age * Newly-diagnosed glioblastoma (IDH wild-type) * Never received prior chemotherapy * Never received radiotherapy to the head or neck before * KPS ≥ 70 * No history of severe head or brain trauma requiring ICU admission or classified as Glasgow Coma Scale grade 3 * No respiratory infection at the time of inclusion * No significant aphasia Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of Neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Korsakoff's syndrome, Pick's disease, Shy-Drager syndrome) * History of invasive tumors or surgery in the head or neck area, except for surgeries for non-invasive skin tumors (e.g. basal cell carcinomas) * Permanent olfactory impairment following infections (e.g., influenza, coronavirus) * Conditions that, in the examiner's judgment, could interfere with the participant's study compliance (e.g., schizophrenia) * Language barriers likely to interfere with participation or comprehension of study procedures.
Where this trial is running
Essen and 1 other locations
- University Hospital Essen, Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Neuro-Oncology — Essen, Germany (Recruiting)
- Department of Neurosurgery — Münster, Germany (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Christoph Oster, Dr. med.
- Email: christoph.oster@uk-essen.de
- Phone: +49201-723-82598
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.