Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 1 Interventional Ages 18 to 80

Using sonodynamic therapy for recurrent glioblastoma

Official title: Pilot Study of Sonodynamic Therapy With 5-ALA for the Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma Using Neuronavigation-Guided Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound

Run by University of Virginia · NCT06039709 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new treatment that uses sound waves and a special drug to see if it can safely help people with recurrent glioblastoma by destroying tumor cells while protecting healthy brain tissue.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
Enrollment11 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Virginia
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (Charlottesville, Virginia)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJanuary 31, 2024
Main results expectedDecember 2026
Study endsJune 2027
Registry record updatedApril 28, 2026
Trial IDNCT06039709 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-80 with measurable recurrent glioblastoma that is surgically accessible.

Probably not a fit

Patients with contraindications to repeat brain surgery or those with tumors outside the treatment envelope 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 pilot study evaluates the safety and feasibility of combining an investigational drug called 5-ALA with neuronavigation-guided low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) for patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM). The therapy, known as sonodynamic therapy (SDT), aims to non-invasively destroy tumor tissue while preserving normal brain tissue. Participants will receive SDT 1-3 weeks prior to surgery, and the study will monitor for adverse events and measure the effectiveness of the treatment in eliciting tumor-cell death. All participants will stay overnight in the hospital for monitoring after the treatment.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a new non-invasive treatment option for patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

How similar studies have gone: While sonodynamic therapy is a novel approach, similar studies using focused ultrasound have shown promising results in other contexts.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Disease status and Disease Parameters:

   * Suspected recurrent glioblastoma that is clearly measurable based on the modified Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria
   * The tumor lesion needs to comprise at least 1 contrast-enhancing lesion with a volume of ≥ 2 cm3 and ≤ 20 cm3 of targeted treatment area
   * Tumor tissue to be treated is in a surgically accessible brain region for resection
   * The brain tumor to be treated must be in the treatment envelope of the NaviFUS system (30 mm to 90 mm from the inner skull table)
   * Recurrence will be assessed by imaging and confirmed by consensus at tumor board
2. Men or women between the ages of 18-80 years of age at the time of consent
3. No contraindication to repeat brain surgery
4. Karnofsky Performance Score of 70-100
5. Able to undergo an MRI with contrast
6. Able to swallow oral medications
7. Willingness and ability to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plans, lifestyle considerations, laboratory tests, and other procedures.
8. Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document (personally or by the legally authorized representative, if applicable).
9. Participants who received prior chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and/or another investigational therapy must have recovered (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events \[CTCAE\] Grade ≤1 or baseline) from the acute effects of the therapy or therapies) except for residual alopecia or Grade 2 peripheral neuropathy prior to registration.
10. Has adequate bone marrow and organ function as defined by the following laboratory values (as assessed by the local laboratory for eligibility):

Hematological

* Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1000/mm3
* Platelets ≥ 100,000/mm3
* Hemoglobin ≥ 11 g/dL for women and ≥ 12 g/dL for men Participants may receive erythrocyte transfusions to achieve this hemoglobin level at the discretion of the investigator.
* INR ≤ 1.4

Renal \& Hepatic

* Creatinine clearance CrCl ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 as estimated by the Cockcroft-Gault (C-G) equation. If estimated CrCl is abnormal, accurate measurement should be obtained by 24- hour CrCl.
* Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN (except in patients with Gilbert's disease, where bilirubin to 2.0x ULN is allowed).
* AST and ALT ≤ 3 x ULN
* Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 3 x ULN
* Estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥30mL/min/1.73m2

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Known sensitivity or allergy to 5-ALA
2. Simultaneous use of other potentially phototoxic substances (e.g. tetracyclines, sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, hypericin extracts)
3. Diagnosis of porphyria
4. Hypersensitivity against porphyrins
5. Pregnancy
6. Significant cardiac disease or coagulopathy
7. Herniation / intractable seizure / other clinical indications requiring urgent resection
8. Known active systemic bacterial infection (requiring intravenous \[IV\] antibiotics at time of initiating study treatment), fungal infection, or detectable viral infection (such as known human immunodeficiency virus positivity or with known active hepatitis B or C (for example, hepatitis B surface antigen positive)
9. Have had a recent (≤3 months prior to registration) transient ischemic attack or stroke
10. Significant vascular disease (e.g. aortic aneurysm)
11. Evidence of bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy
12. Need for systemic anticoagulation which cannot be held for 7 days prior to SDT
13. Unstable angina and/or congestive heart failure (NYH Class III or Class IV; see section 13.2) within 6 months prior to registration
14. Severe hypertension (systolic ≥ 180 mm Hg; diastolic ≥ 120 mm Hg) despite anti-hypertensive medications
15. Transmural myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to registration
16. Serious and inadequately controlled cardiac arrhythmia
17. Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
18. Has serious and/or uncontrolled preexisting medical condition(s) that, in the judgment of the investigator, would preclude participation in this study
19. Treatment with another investigational drug or investigational procedure within 30 days prior to registration or within 5 half-lives of the investigational product, whichever is longer
20. Brain edema and/or mass effect that causes midline shift of more than 15 mm
21. Evidence of recent (within 30 days prior to registration) intracranial hemorrhage
22. Calcifications or metallic implanted objects in the focused ultrasound sonication path
23. Scalp atrophy or scars at the expected location of transducer
24. Cerebral or systemic vasculopathy
25. Need for or currently on dialysis
26. Respiratory: chronic pulmonary disorders (e.g., severe emphysema, COPD, pulmonary vasculitis, or other causes of reduced pulmonary vascular cross-sectional area).
27. Receipt of radiotherapy ≤21 days prior to registration
28. Receipt of chemotherapy ≤ 21 days prior to registration
29. Prior treatment with sonodynamic therapy
30. Concurrent use of Optune device
31. Concurrent use of supplements or medications with substantial antioxidant effects (including sulfhydryl-containing medications such as captopril or supplements such as N-acetylcysteine, or high doses of vitamins with antioxidant activity such as C or E)
32. Known sensitivity to gadolinium

Where it's running

  • University of Virginia
    Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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

  • LMP744 (an indenoisoquinolone) for people with recurrent glioblastoma

    This trial will test whether the drug LMP744 can shrink tumors or slow progression in adults whose glioblastoma has returned after prior treatment.

    Recruiting Phase 1/2 National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) · Bethesda, Maryland · NCT07416188

  • Comparing surgery and best treatment for recurrent glioblastoma

    This study is testing whether surgery or the best available treatment helps people with recurring glioblastoma feel better and live longer.

    Recruiting at 6 sites Erasmus Medical Center · San Francisco, California and 7 other locations · NCT06283927

  • Using omental tissue to treat recurrent glioblastoma

    This study is testing whether using a piece of fat from the abdomen can help improve treatment for patients with recurrent glioblastoma by delivering medication and immune cells more effectively to the tumor site.

    Recruiting Northwell Health · New York, New York · NCT05979064

  • Surgical technique to improve outcomes in glioblastoma patients

    This study is testing a new surgical method using special tissue flaps to see if it can help people with newly diagnosed glioblastoma live longer and have fewer problems after surgery.

    Recruiting Northwell Health · New York, New York · NCT05954858

  • Combining eflornithine and temozolomide for newly diagnosed glioblastoma

    This study is testing a new combination of two medications, eflornithine and temozolomide, to find the best dose for people with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

    Recruiting at 7 sites Phase 1 Orbus Therapeutics, Inc. · Birmingham, Alabama and 7 other locations · NCT05879367

  • Gene therapy combined with radiotherapy for brain tumors

    This study is testing a new gene therapy combined with targeted radiation to see if it can safely help people with recurrent high-grade brain tumors.

    Recruiting Phase 1 Henry Ford Health System · Detroit, Michigan · NCT05686798

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.