Using advanced MRI and proton therapy to treat recurrent glioblastoma

Pilot Trial of Spectroscopic MRI-guided, Dose-Escalated Proton Radiation Therapy and Bevacizumab for Recurrent Glioblastoma

This study is testing a new way to treat recurring glioblastoma by using special MRI scans to find hidden cancer cells and then delivering targeted proton therapy along with a medication to help reduce side effects.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 96 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Miami (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: Bevacizumab, chemotherapy, radiation
• Locations: 1 site (Miami, Florida)
• Trial ID: NCT05284643 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research aims to improve treatment for recurrent glioblastoma by utilizing an experimental imaging technique called spectroscopic MRI to identify hidden cancer cells. The study will deliver proton therapy to a larger area of the brain based on the findings from the spectroscopic MRI, potentially increasing the effectiveness of radiation treatment. Additionally, the study will incorporate the use of bevacizumab (Avastin) to reduce side effects associated with radiation therapy. The approach builds on previous findings that suggest targeting areas with a high burden of cancer may lead to better outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are patients with recurrent glioblastoma who have previously received radiation therapy and have measurable tumor recurrence.

Not a fit: Patients with non-recurrent glioblastoma or those whose tumors exceed the maximum size criteria may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more effective treatment options for patients with recurrent glioblastoma, potentially improving survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies utilizing spectroscopic MRI for glioblastoma treatment have shown promising safety and efficacy, indicating that this approach is based on established research.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

A. Recurrent glioblastoma (or variants such as gliosarcoma) based on one of the following criteria:

1. An area of MRI enhancement consistent with glioblastoma outside of the initial high dose radiation field.
2. Biopsy or resection proven recurrent glioblastoma.
3. Progressive glioblastoma based on advanced imaging (brain positron emission tomography (PET), perfusion MRI, or clinical MR Spectroscopy)

B. Pathology diagnosis of glioblastoma, or variants such as gliosarcoma, on initial and/or reresection by 2021 WHO glioblastoma criteria. Prior pathology reports or specimens can be reexamined and reclassified as glioblastoma based on current criteria.

C. Total area of recurrence on T1 post-contrast MRI (including all nodules of likely tumor) have a linear maximum measurement of 6 cm or less.

D. Patients must have received prior brain radiation therapy for glioma in conventional fractionation (1.8 - 2 Gy per fraction, total dose maximum 63 Gy).

E. Patients must have completed prior brain radiation four to six months or more prior to study treatment for recurrent tumors that are at least half based within the high dose (\> 46 Gy) radiation field.

1. For "marginal" or "out of field" radiation failures where at least half of the enhancing disease is outside of the prior high dose radiation field but there is field overlap, patients must have completed prior radiation at least four months or more prior to study treatment.
2. For "in field" radiation failures where at least half of the enhancing disease is within the prior high dose radiation field, patients must have completed prior radiation at least six months or more prior to study treatment.

F. A minimum time must be elapsed from the administration of any prior anti-tumor or investigational agents to initiation of study treatments on this protocol as follows:

1. 28 days or 5 half-lives, whichever is shorter, elapsed from the administration of any experimental agent prior to initiation of study treatment.
2. 28 days elapsed from the administration of any prior cytotoxic agents except

i. 14 days from vincristine and ≥ 21 days from procarbazine and Temozolomide (TMZ) prior to initiation of study treatment.

G. Age at least 18.

H. Patients must be able to have MRI scans.

I. Patient must be able to provide written informed consent.

J. ECOG performance status 0-2.

K. Life expectancy greater than 12 weeks at the discretion of the enrolling investigator.qa

L. Female subjects should have a negative serum pregnancy test unless they confirm their menopausal status and/or have undergone previous hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy.

M. Both men and women with childbearing potential should agree to use effective contraception for the duration of the treatment and for at least 6 months after the last treatment since medications that will be used can be harmful for the embryo. See contraception requirements, protocol section 4.16.

N. Complete blood count (CBC)/differential within 21 days prior to registration with absolute neutrophil count at least 1500 cells/mm2, platelets at least 75,000 cells/mm2, and hemoglobin at least 9.0 g/dl (transfusion or other intervention to achieve Hgb of 9.0 or greater is acceptable).

O. Liver function tests must demonstrate total bilirubin 2 mg/dL or less, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 2.5 times the upper limit of normal or less within 21 days prior to registration.

P. Kidney function tests must indicate serum creatinine 1.8 mg/dL or less within 21 days prior to registration and the following:

a. Urine protein: creatinine (UPC) ratio \< 1.0 within 14 days prior to registration OR urine dipstick for proteinuria ≤ 2+ (patients discovered to have \> 2+ proteinuria on dipstick urinalysis at baseline must have a UPC ratio done that is \<1.0 to be eligible. If the UPC ratio is ≥ 1.0 then the patients should undergo a 24-hour urine collection and must demonstrate ≤1g of protein in 24 hours to be eligible).

i. Note: UPC ratio of spot urine is an estimation of the 24-hour urine protein excretion; a UPC ratio of 1 is roughly equivalent to a 24-hour urine protein of 1 gm. UPC ratio is calculated using one of the following formulas:

1. \[urine protein\]/\[urine creatinine\]: if both protein and creatinine are reported in mg/dL
2. \[(urine protein) x0.088\]/\[urine creatinine\]: if urine creatinine is reported in mmol/L

Q. Patients on full-dose anticoagulants must meet both of the following criteria:

1. No active bleeding or pathological condition that carries a high risk of bleeding (e.g., tumor involving major vessels or known varices)
2. In-range international normalized ratio (INR) (typically 2-3) on a stable dose of oral anticoagulant or on a stable dose of low molecular weight heparin, within 21 days prior to registration

Exclusion Criteria:

A. Brain malignancies other than glioblastoma (or variants such as gliosarcoma) by WHO 2021 criteria (benign lesions like meningioma are allowed)

B. Glioma that has not previously undergone standard first line therapies including a first course of radiation therapy.

C. Glioma that has already undergone a second course of radiation therapy.

D. Multi-focal disease (separate enhancing nodules across multiple brain lobes). Note: Multiple nodules in the same region are allowed as long as the total linear diameter is 6 cm or less.

E. Patients who have had treatment with Bevacizumab in the past.

F. Patients who will receive chemotherapy concurrent with study therapy other than bevacizumab.

G. Patients with recurrent Glioblastoma (rGBM) based in the following anatomical regions known to have magnetic susceptibility or poor signal will be excluded: temporal lobe below the level of the floor of the third ventricle, orbitofrontal cortex, prefrontal cortex, medial frontal gyrus, brainstem, and cerebellum (these regions have known sMRI artifact).

H. Pregnant or breastfeeding patients.

I. Prior invasive malignancy (except non-melanomatous skin cancer) unless disease free for a minimum of 1 year. Non-invasive tumors are permissible (e.g., carcinoma in situ).

J. Severe active co-morbidities as follows:

1. Unstable angina and/or congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization within the last 6 months prior to registration.
2. Transmural myocardial infarction within the last 6 months prior to registration.
3. History of stroke or transient ischemic attack within 6 months prior to registration.
4. Significant vascular disease (e.g., aortic aneurysm, history of aortic dissection) or clinically significant peripheral vascular disease.
5. Acute bacterial or fungal infection requiring intravenous antibiotics at the time of registration.
6. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease exacerbation or other respiratory illness requiring hospitalization or precluding study therapy at the time of registration.
7. Hepatic insufficiency resulting in clinical jaundice and/or coagulation defects; note, however, that laboratory tests for liver function other than screening panel (Section 3.1) and coagulation parameters are not required for entry into this protocol.
8. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) based upon current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) definition; note, however, that HIV testing is not required for entry into this protocol. The need to exclude patients with AIDS from this protocol is necessary because the treatments involved in this protocol may be significantly immunosuppressive.

K. Pregnancy or women of childbearing potential and men who are sexually active and not willing/able to use medically acceptable forms of contraception; this exclusion is necessary because the treatment involved in this study may be significantly teratogenic.

L. Prior allergic reaction to the study drug (Bevacizumab)

M. Prior history of hypertensive crisis or hypertensive encephalopathy.

N. History of a non-healing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture within 90 days (3 months) prior to registration

O. Gastrointestinal bleeding or any other hemorrhage/bleeding event Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), v. 4 grade 3 or greater within 30 days prior to registration

P. Major surgical procedure, open biopsy, or significant traumatic injury within 28 days prior to registration (with the exception of craniotomy)

Q. Concurrent receipt of any other investigational agents

Where this trial is running

Miami, Florida

• University of Miami — Miami, Florida, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jonathan Bell, MD, PhD — University of Miami
• Study coordinator: Zuzel Rodriguez

Conditions Recurrent Glioblastoma; Brain Cancer