Brain Cancer Clinical Trials 2023

What Are Brain Cancer Clinical Trials?

Brain tumors initial in the brain due to abnormal brain cell changes called mutations. These tumors could be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). However, even noncancerous tumors can damage the tissues and result in severe issues. Benign tumors gradually grow but can be cured with treatments and surgeries, but malignant tumors grow rapidly and aggressively, often not responding to treatments.

Cancer developed in other areas of the body can also spread to the brain, referred to as brain metastasis or secondary brain tumor. Breast, kidney, colon, and lung cancers can spread to the brain. Clinical trials help find ways to prevent this and innovative treatments and therapies to cure brain cancer.

Why Is Brain Cancer Being Studied Through Clinical Trials?

Brain cancer is the 10th leading cause of fatalities among women and men. Around 251,329 individuals died due to cancerous brain tumors globally in 2020. The five-year survival rate for brain cancer patients is around 36%, and the ten-year survival rate is 31%. While there have been advances in this field that has resulted in more accurate and timely diagnoses, more clinical trials are underway to find innovative treatment and therapies to extend survival rate and find preventive measures for brain cancer.

What Are The Types of Treatments Available For Brain Cancer?

Multiple treatment options are available for patients with brain cancer, including:

• Chemotherapy, including systemic chemotherapy and local chemotherapy
• Craniotomy, neurosurgery, and surgery
• Endoscopy and other minimally invasive methods
• Intraoperative electrophysiology
• Intraoperative neuronavigation
• Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT)
• Radiation therapy, including whole-brain radiation and external beam radiation 
• Targeted therapy

What Are Some Recent Breakthrough Clinical Trials For Brain Cancer?

There have been several landmark studies involving Brain Cancer in recent years. Some of the most recent studies are:

2023: The results of the phase 2 clinical trial showed Selinexor could reduce brain tumors in most individuals with recurrent glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Selinexor is among the new anti-cancer class drugs and has indicated encouraging results. The trial determined the proper dose schedule and identified the efficacy and safety of Selinexor. Around 28% of patients experienced a reduction in the size of the tumor. The trial also identified the tolerable dose for future human trials currently being conducted in multiple sites.

2023: Research found a new radiation therapy that showed promising results in delaying the regrowth of brain cancer and protecting healthy brain tissues. UC San Diego Health is the first hospital offering this highly targeted innovative radiation therapy that can help delay cancer cell growth and protect the tissue, extending the survival rate of brain cancer patients. The GammaTile has been approved by FDA and uses brachytherapy or minor radiation seeds that are implanted at the site of the tumor during the surgery. They are absorbed naturally in the body for treating recurrent and malignant brain tumors.

Who Are Some Of The Key Opinion Leaders / Researchers / Institutions Conducting Brain Cancer Clinical Trials Research?

American Brain Tumor Association: This association is the first advocacy organization in the country dedicated to funding research and clinical trials of brain tumors. They provide education and information to the patients and caregivers to enhance their quality of life. The ABTA has been providing multiple resources for brain tumors and funding research to find breakthrough brain tumor cures and treatments for more than four decades.

National Brain Tumor Society: This organization has been dedicated to investing in finding a cure and effective treatment for brain tumors for over 30 years. They work to unite the brain cancer community and advocate for caregivers and patients.