MRI‑guided laser ablation plus lomustine for recurrent glioblastoma

A Phase 1 Safety and Feasibility Study of Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) Followed by Lomustine (CCNU) for Recurrent Glioblastoma in Adults

This study will test whether a focused MRI‑guided laser ablation followed about a week later by the chemotherapy lomustine is safe and doable for adults whose glioblastoma has returned.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of California, Davis (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: bevacizumab, radiation
• Locations: 1 site (Sacramento, California)
• Trial ID: NCT07145112 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a Phase 1 safety and feasibility trial combining laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) with a single cycle of lomustine for adults with recurrent glioblastoma. LITT is performed under general anesthesia using a stereotactic approach with real‑time MRI thermometry to ablate tumor while protecting nearby brain structures. Approximately seven days after LITT, patients receive lomustine per standard dosing, and participants are monitored for treatment‑related adverse events. Overall survival will be tracked for up to two years after the first dose of lomustine as a secondary outcome.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with histologically confirmed WHO 2021 glioblastoma who have radiographic progression after prior therapy, have recovered from prior treatments or recent surgery, and are medically eligible for LITT and lomustine are the intended candidates.

Not a fit: Patients whose tumors are unsuitable for focal ablation (for example, very diffuse or inaccessible lesions), who have poor performance status, or who cannot tolerate lomustine are less likely to benefit from this approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the combination could improve local tumor control and possibly extend survival for some patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

How similar studies have performed: Both LITT and lomustine have been used separately for recurrent glioblastoma and small studies have shown feasibility for combined local ablation plus chemotherapy, but the combination is not yet proven to improve survival in larger trials.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Histologically confirmed World Health Organization (WHO) 2021 defined glioblastoma. A pathology report constitutes adequate documentation of histology for study inclusion.
2. Radiographic demonstration of disease progression following prior therapy.
3. Patients having undergone recent resection of recurrent or progressive tumor will be eligible as long as the patient has recovered from surgery. Evaluable or measurable disease following resection of recurrent tumor is not mandated for eligibility into the study.
4. Prior standard radiation for glioblastoma (short course 40 Gy, standard 60 Gy, and proton therapy are allowed).
5. Patients must have recovered from the effects of prior therapy.
6. The following listed agents/interventions must have been discontinued for their respective time period prior to enrollment:

   1. Four weeks from cytotoxic agents (3 weeks from procarbazine, 3 weeks from vincristine, and 4 weeks from temozolomide);
   2. Four weeks or 5 drug half-lives (whichever is shorter) from any investigational agent; two weeks or 5 drug half-lives (whichever is shorter) from non-cytotoxic agents (e.g. Accutane, thalidomide);
   3. Twelve weeks from radiotherapy to minimize the potential for MRI changes related to radiation necrosis that might be misdiagnosed as progressive disease, or 4 weeks if a new lesion, relative to the pre-radiation MRI, develops that is outside the primary radiation field;
7. Patients must have the following laboratory parameters ≤ 14 days prior to registration:

   a. adequate bone marrow function defined by: i. white blood cells (WBC) ≥ 3 × 109/L , ii. absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1.5 × 109/L , iii. platelet count of ≥ 100 × 109/L , and iv. hemoglobin ≥ 9 gm/dL b. adequate liver function defined by i. alanine transaminase (ALT, SGPT) and aspartate transaminase (AST/SGOT) \< 3× institutional upper limit of normal (ULN), ii. alkaline phosphatase \< 2× ULN, and iii. bilirubin \< 1.5 mg/dL c. adequate renal function defined by calculated creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min (see Appendix)
8. Karnofsky performance status (KPS) ≥ 50 (see Appendix).
9. Individuals of childbearing potential or those with partners of childbearing potential must agree to use adequate methods of contraception for the duration of study participation (including dosing interruptions) and for up to 3.5 months after the last study treatment; or be surgically sterilized.
10. Patients on the following medications are allowed:

    1. Anticoagulants: Patients on stable dose anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin in-range international normalized ratio \[INR\], low molecular-weight heparin)
    2. Patients are allowed to take aspirin, clopidogrel, ticlopidine, Aggrenox, ibuprofen and other NSAIDS.
11. Patients must be willing to forego other cytotoxic and non-cytotoxic drug therapy for glioblastoma while enrolled in the study.
12. Able to swallow oral medication.
13. Patients ≥18 years of age at time of consent.
14. Ability to understand and willingness to sign an informed consent form (ICF).
15. Ability and stated willingness to adhere to the study visit schedule and protocol procedures/requirements, including periodic blood sampling and study related assessments

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who are not surgical candidates for stereotactic biopsy or laser ablation.
2. Prior treatment with nitrosourea agents (e.g. lomustine \[CCNU\], carmustine \[BCNU\], nimustine \[ACNU\]).
3. Prior treatment with polifeprosan 20 with carmustine wafer.
4. Prior treatment with bevacizumab.
5. Patients who have received any investigational agents ≤ 4 weeks or 5 drug half-lives (whichever is shorter) prior to commencing study treatment.
6. Evidence of recent hemorrhage on baseline MRI of the brain with the following exceptions: (1) presence of hemosiderin, (2) resolving hemorrhagic changes related to surgery, or (3) presence of punctate hemorrhage in the tumor.
7. History of intracerebral abscess within 6 months prior to Day 1.
8. Major surgical procedure, open biopsy, or significant traumatic injury ≤ 28 days prior to Day 1, or anticipation of the need for a major surgical procedure during the course of the study.
9. Serious non-healing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture.
10. Pregnancy (positive pregnancy test) or lactation.
11. Known hypersensitivity to any component of lomustine (CCNU).
12. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness or unstable systemic disease, including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, uncontrolled hypertension, or serious cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication that would interfere with participant safety or limit compliance with the study requirements.
13. Unable to undergo an MRI with contrast.
14. Known allergy to nitrosoureas (e.g., lomustine, carmustine, nimustine).
15. Any condition that in the opinion of the investigator would interfere with the participant's safety or compliance while on trial

Where this trial is running

Sacramento, California

• University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center — Sacramento, California, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Orwa Aboud, MD, PhD — University of California, Davis
• Study coordinator: Orwa Aboud, MD, PhD

Conditions Glioblastoma