Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 2 Interventional

Using Imipramine and Lomustine to treat recurrent glioblastoma

Official title: A Phase II, Investigator-Initiated Study of Imipramine Hydrochloride and Lomustine in Recurrent Glioblastoma

Run by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio · NCT04863950 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing whether a combination of Imipramine and Lomustine can help people with recurrent glioblastoma whose tumors have continued to grow after other treatments.

More Glioblastoma trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
SexAll
Enrollment25 (estimated)
SponsorThe University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsbevacizumab, chemotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (San Antonio, Texas)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMay 25, 2022
Main results expectedAugust 2026
Study endsNovember 2026
Registry record updatedAugust 27, 2025
Trial IDNCT04863950 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with histologically confirmed recurrent glioblastoma who have progressed after standard treatment.

Probably not a fit

Patients with glioblastoma who have not undergone standard treatment or have a poor performance status may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional study is a single-center, prospective, open-label, single-arm trial aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of Imipramine Hydrochloride and Lomustine in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. Participants will be enrolled into surgical and non-surgical cohorts, and the study will assess the treatment's impact on tumor progression following standard therapies. The trial will include patients who have histologically confirmed glioblastoma and have experienced progression after prior treatments.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new therapeutic option for patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

How similar studies have gone: While this approach is novel in combining Imipramine with Lomustine for glioblastoma, similar studies have shown promise in targeting recurrent tumors with alternative therapies.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* The subject is at least 18 years of age
* The subject has the ability to understand the purposes and risks of the study and to have signed a written informed consent form approved by the investigator's IRB/Ethics Committee
* The subject has histologically confirmed glioblastoma
* The subject has progression following standard combined modality treatment with radiation and temozolomide chemotherapy
* The subject has an ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) performance status ≤ 2
* The subject has a life expectancy of at least 3 months
* The subject has acceptable liver function:
* Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal
* AST (aspartate aminotransferase) (SGOT) and ALT (alanine transaminase 0 (SGPT) ≤ 3.0 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* The subject has acceptable renal function:
* Serum creatinine ≤ULN
* The subject has acceptable hematologic status (without hematologic support):
* ANC (absolute neutrophil count) ≥1500 cells/uL
* Platelet count ≥100,000/uL
* Hemoglobin ≥9.0 g/dL
* All women of childbearing potential (not surgically sterilized or at least 1 year post-menopausal) must have a negative serum pregnancy test. Additionally, male and female subjects must agree to use effective means of contraception (surgical sterilization or the use or barrier contraception with either a condom or diaphragm in conjunction with spermicidal gel or an IUD) with their partner from entry into the study through 6 months after the last dose.

Exclusion Criteria:

* The subject is receiving warfarin (or other coumarin derivatives) and is unable to switch to low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) before the first dose of study drug.
* The subject has evidence of acute intracranial or intratumoral hemorrhage either by MRI or computerized tomography (CT) scan. Subjects with resolving hemorrhage changes, punctate hemorrhage, or hemosiderin are eligible.
* The subject is unable to undergo MRI scan (eg, has pacemaker).
* The subject has received enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic agents within 14 days of study drug (eg, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone).
* The subject has not recovered to National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0 Grade ≤ 1 from AEs (except alopecia, anemia and lymphopenia) due to surgery, antineoplastic agents, investigational drugs, or other medications that were administered prior to study drug.
* The subject has evidence of wound dehiscence.
* The subject is pregnant or breast-feeding.
* The subject has a history of cardiac disease, including arrhythmia, conduction abnormality, congenital prolonged QT syndrome, myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris or congestive heart failure.
* A prolonged QTc rhythm noted during initial ECG \>480 ms.
* The subject has serious intercurrent illness, such as:
* Hypertension (two or more blood pressure \[BP\] readings performed at screening of \> 150 mmHg systolic or \> 100 mmHg diastolic) despite optimal treatment

  * Non-healing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture
  * Untreated hypothyroidism
  * Unhealed rectal or peri-rectal abscess
  * Uncontrolled active infection
  * Stroke, or transient ischemic attack within 6 months
* The subject has received any of the following prior anticancer therapy:

  * Non-standard radiation therapy such as brachytherapy, systemic radioisotope therapy (RIT), or intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT). Note: stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is allowed
  * Non-bevacizumab systemic therapy (including investigational agents and small- molecule kinase inhibitors) or non-cytotoxic hormonal therapy (eg, tamoxifen) within 7 days or 5 half-lives, whichever is shorter, prior to first dose of study drug
  * Biologic agents (antibodies, immune modulators, vaccines, cytokines) within 21 days prior to first dose of study drug
  * Nitrosoureas or mitomycin C within 42 days, or metronomic/protracted low-dose chemotherapy within 14 days, or other cytotoxic chemotherapy within 28 days, prior to first dose of study drug
  * Prior treatment with carmustine wafers
* Any current psychosis, uncontrolled mood disorder (as assessed by investigator) or suicidal ideation. Additionally, current or history of bipolar disorder is excluded.
* Patients currently using SSRI, SNRI, MAO inhibitors, tramadol or trazodone who are unwilling to undergo taper.

Where it's running

  • Mays Cancer Center, UT Health San Antonio
    San Antonio, Texas, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: William Kelly, MD — The University of Texas Health Science Center - Mays Cancer Center
  • Study coordinator: Epp Goodwin
  • Email: goodwine@uthscsa.edu
  • Phone: 210 450 5798

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.