Using gadolinium and ferumoxytol MRI to diagnose central nervous system abnormalities

The Feasibility of Steady State CBV Mapping Using Ferumoxytol Immediately After Gadolinium Enhanced MRI of the CNS

Phase 2 Interventional OHSU Knight Cancer Institute · NCT03270059

This study is testing if using two different MRI contrast agents, gadolinium and ferumoxytol, can help better diagnose problems in the central nervous system for patients with suspected abnormalities.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment150 (estimated)
Ages10 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorOHSU Knight Cancer Institute Academic / other
Locations1 site (Portland, Oregon)
Trial IDNCT03270059 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase II trial investigates the effectiveness of gadolinium and ferumoxytol magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing abnormalities in the central nervous system. The study aims to determine how prior gadolinium administration influences vascular imaging with ferumoxytol and to assess signal changes in T2*w multi-echo fast field echo scans before and after contrast agent injection. Patients will be randomized into two groups to receive either gadolinium followed by ferumoxytol or vice versa, with MRI conducted over a 60-minute period. Secondary and exploratory objectives include evaluating the effects of ferumoxytol on gadolinium-enhanced MRI and exploring late enhancement in various brain pathologies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals aged 10 and older with neurological symptoms or radiological abnormalities in the brain.

Not a fit: Patients who are unable to undergo MRI imaging without anesthesia or those without neurological findings may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve diagnostic accuracy for patients with central nervous system abnormalities.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using advanced MRI techniques for diagnosing central nervous system conditions, but this specific combination of gadolinium and ferumoxytol is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Subjects must have one of the following:

  * Neurological findings (i.e. headache, loss of consciousness, paresis, cranial neuropathy, seizures, etc.)
  * Radiological abnormalities in the brain (neoplastic or non-neoplastic in nature)
  * Neoplastic process elsewhere in the body that may affect the brain (i.e. possible metastasis, vascular compromise, treatment related changes, etc.)
* Subjects must be able to undergo MRI imaging without anesthesia
* Subjects must be at least 10 years of age
* All subjects, or their legal guardians, must sign a written informed consent and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorization in accordance with institutional guidelines
* Sexually active women of child-bearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; surgical intervention i.e. tubal ligation or vasectomy; post-menopausal \< 6 months; or abstinence) for at least two months after each cycle of the study; should a female become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subjects with clinically significant signs of uncal herniation, such as acute pupillary enlargement, rapidly developing motor changes (over hours), or rapidly decreasing level of consciousness, are not eligible
* Subjects with known allergic or hypersensitivity reactions to parenteral iron, parenteral dextran, parenteral iron-dextran, or parenteral iron-polysaccharide preparations (Ferumoxytol Investigator's Drug Brochure, 2009); subjects with significant drug or other allergies or autoimmune diseases may be enrolled at the investigator's discretion
* Subjects who are pregnant or lactating or who suspect they might be pregnant
* Subjects who have a contraindication for MRI: metal in their bodies (a cardiac pacemaker or other incompatible device), are severely agitated, or have an allergy to gadolinium containing contrast material
* Subjects with known iron overload (genetic hemochromatosis); in subjects with a family history of hemochromatosis, hemochromatosis must be ruled out prior to study entry with normal values of the following blood tests: transferrin saturation (TS) test and serum ferritin (SF) test; all associated costs will be paid by the study
* Subject who have received ferumoxytol within 3 weeks of study entry
* Subjects with three or more drug allergies from separate drug classes

Where this trial is running

Portland, Oregon

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Central Nervous System NeoplasmCranial Nerve DisorderMetastatic Malignant Neoplasm in the Brain
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.