Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 2 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Vortioxetine for newly diagnosed glioblastoma

Official title: A Phase II Drug Repurposing Trial of Vortioxetine for the Treatment of Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma

Run by University of Zurich · NCT07284628 · Data updated 2026-11-12

Aimed at adults with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, this study tests whether the antidepressant vortioxetine can help alongside standard treatment.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment78 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Zurich
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Zurich)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJune 24, 2026
Main results expectedJune 2029
Study endsJune 2029
Registry record updatedJune 29, 2026
Trial IDNCT07284628 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, good functional status (KPS ≥ 70%), MGMT status known or available, and planned standard radiochemotherapy.

Probably not a fit

Patients lacking MGMT information or with lower performance status, or who do not respond to vortioxetine, may not benefit.

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

What this trial studies

ThisPhase 2 interventional study uses vortioxetine in addition to standard radiochemotherapy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Participants must have MGMT methylation status known or available, a good performance status, and plan to receive conventional radiotherapy and temozolomide. The approach is guided by pharmacoscopy, an ex vivo drug-sensitivity method, to identify vortioxetine as a lead candidate for combination therapy. The trial is led by the University of Zurich with multiple Swiss collaborators and centers around providing vortioxetine during the standard treatment window. Outcomes will inform whether this repurposed drug can improve therapeutic effectiveness in glioblastoma patients.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience improved response to standard therapy and potential survival benefits.

How similar studies have gone: Prior pharmacoscopy-guided approaches have shown promise in other cancers, but this specific vortioxetine strategy in glioblastoma is investigational.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female, age ≥18 years
2. Patients with histologically confirmed newly diagnosed glioblastoma per CNS WHO 2021 classification
3. O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promotor methylation status known or tissue available for testing
4. Karnofsky performance status (KPS) ≥ 70%
5. Intent to treat with standard radiochemotherapy per EANO guidelines (radiotherapy will 60 Gy in 1.8-2 Gy fractions. Concomitant chemotherapy with temozolomide (75 mg/m2 daily throughout radiotherapy, including at weekends) followed by six cycles of maintenance temozolomide (150-200 mg/m2, 5 out of 28 days). Short course radiotherapy at 40 Gy is not allowed.
6. Female patients must be either documented not to be Women of Childbearing Potential (WOCBP) or must have a negative pregnancy test within 14 days of starting treatment. Additionally WOCBP must agree to use, from the screening to 6 months following the last study drug administration, highly effective contraception methods, as defined by the "Recommendations for contraception and pregnancy testing in clinical trials" issued by the Head of Medicine Agencies' Clinical Trial Facilitation Group (www.hma.eu/ctfg.html) and which include, for instance, progesterone-only or combined (estrogen- and progesterone-containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation, intrauterine devices, intrauterine hormone-releasing systems, bilateral tubal occlusion or vasectomized partner. WOCBP are defined as females who have experienced menarche, are not postmenopausal (12 months with no menses without an alternative medical cause) and are not permanently sterilized (e.g., tubal occlusion, hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, or bilateral salpingectomy).
7. Male subjects able to father children must agree to use two acceptable methods of contraception throughout the study and during 6 months following the last study drug administration (e.g., condom with spermicidal gel). Double-barrier contraception is required.
8. Personally signed and dated informed consent document indicating that the subject has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the study.
9. Willingness and ability to comply with the scheduled visits, treatment plan, laboratory tests and other study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

1\. Prior treatment for newly diagnosed glioblastoma except surgery. 2. Intent to be treated with tumor-treating fields. 3. Inability to undergo contrast-enhanced MRI. 4. Inadequate bone marrow, renal and hepatic function:

* Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \< 1.5 x 10.9/L; platelets \< 100 x 10.9/L
* Hemoglobin (Hb) \< 9.0 g/dl. Blood marrow values must be measured independently of transfusion.
* Chronically impaired renal function as indicated by creatinine clearance \< 50 mL/min or serum creatinine \> 1.5 upper limit of normal (ULN).
* Inadequate liver function (ALT, AST, ALP ≥ 2.5 x ULN) 9. Any severe concomitant condition which makes it undesirable for the patient to participate in the study or which could jeopardize compliance with the protocol, in the opinion of the investigator.

  10\. Any contra-indication to vortioxetine. 11. Medically documented history of active major depressive episode, bipolar disorder (I or II), obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, a history of suicidal attempt or ideation, or homicidal ideation (e.g., risk of doing harm to self or others), or patients with active severe personality disorders.

  12\. Pregnancy or breast feeding. 13. Presence of active and uncontrolled infections or other severe concurrent disease, which, in the opinion of the investigator, would place the patient at undue risk or interfere with the study.

  14\. Concurrent malignancies unless the patient has been disease-free without intervention for at least one year.

  15\. Requirement of concurrent use of other anti-cancer treatments or agents other than study medication.

Where it's running

  • University Hospital Zurich
    Zurich, Switzerland
    Recruiting

Study contacts

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.