Glioblastoma Clinical Trials 2023
Browse 100 Glioblastoma Medical Studies Across 244 Cities
4 Phase 3 Trial · 721 Glioblastoma Clinics
What is Glioblastoma?
Glioblastoma multiforme, known by its common name glioblastoma, is a type of cancer that develops in the brain or the spinal cord. It is a grade 4 brain tumor that forms in astrocytes, which are cells found in the central nervous system. When a person develops glioblastoma, they are subject to symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and seizures. It is more prevalent in older male adults. However, it may occur in women in some cases. In spite of advancements in research and medical treatments, modern-day medical experts have not found the actual cause of glioblastoma.
Why is Glioblastoma Being Studied in Clinical Trials?
Glioblastoma is a rapid-growing and malignant brain tumor that begets various severe symptoms in aged individuals. If the cancer is left untreated for under six months, it is highly possible that it can result in death. Clinical trials on glioblastoma are being done in order to provide the utmost up-to-date medication and treatment options so as to prevent the loss of life.
How do Glioblastoma Clinical Trials Work?
Today, there is an abundant amount of treatment options for glioblastoma–one of which is clinical trials. Glioblastoma clinical trials often use prescription medication or even a form of therapy as its treatment for enrolled participants. The ongoing study entitled “A Phase III Trial of Gleostine® (Lomustine)-Temozolomide Combination Therapy Versus Standard Temozolomide in Patients With Methylated MGMT Promoter Glioblastoma” demonstrates how a glioblastoma clinical trial works.
The study begins by accumulating three hundred and six eligible participants. Each participant is designated a treatment group, the experimental treatment group, or the active control group. The experimental group will receive five different interventions, which are photon beam radiation therapy, lomustine, temozolomide, a quality-of-life assessment, and a questionnaire. For six consecutive weeks, photon beam radiation therapy will be undertaken for five days on a weekly basis. Lomustine will be administered on the first day, while temozolomide will be given on the second until the sixth day. If participants do not show glioblastoma developments or intolerable toxicity, the treatment will continue every forty-two days for six cycles.
The active control group will undergo similar interventions. However, it is without the existence of lomustine. Each participant will undergo radiation therapy five days per week and be administered temozolomide from the first day until the fifth for six weeks. If participants do not show glioblastoma developments or intolerable toxicity, the treatment will continue every twenty-eight days for six cycles. After treatment is completed, all the participants will receive a follow-up at different monthly periods in the succeeding years.
What are Some Key Breakthrough Clinical Trials Involving Glioblastoma?
2023: A study from Keck School of Medicine of USC found that there is a small molecule drug that attacks circadian clock proteins. This was significant because the drug (named SHP656) could be a potential treatment for glioblastoma.
2023: A study from Columbia University found that the anti-cancer drug named selinexor was able to reduce glioblastoma tumors in almost one-third of individuals with glioblastoma. This was significant because further clinical trials are being conducted to test the effectiveness of the drug and its combination with other forms of therapy.
Who are the Key Opinion Leaders in Glioblastoma Clinical Trial Research?
John H. Sampson is a neurosurgeon and a spine surgeon from Duke Cancer Center in Durham, Newcastle. His areas of expertise are the following: brain tumors, metastatic brain and spine tumors, and skull base tumors. Dr. Sampson has received his board certification from the American Board of Neurological Surgery.
Peter E. Fecci is a professor of neurosurgery and a neurosurgeon at Duke Cancer Center. Primary brain tumors, metastatic brain tumors, laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), minimally invasive surgery, and microsurgery are just some of his areas of expertise. Like Dr. Sampson, Dr. Fecci obtained his board certification from the American Board of Neurological Surgery.
Top Hospitals for Glioblastoma Clinical Trials
We took a look at the top hospital performing glioblastoma clinical trials. We found that it is Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. Having conducted its first recorded glioblastoma trial in 1998, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has since amassed a total of sixty-one all-time glioblastoma clinical trials, of which twenty-three are currently active. In 2021, the institute ranked third place in World’s Best Specialized Hospitals. It currently has 4,855 full-time and part-time employees.
Top Treatments for Glioblastoma Clinical Trials
We took a look at the top treatment being used for glioblastoma clinical trials. We found that it is a medication called temozolomide. The treatment was first used in glioblastoma clinical trials in 2002. Temozolomide, otherwise known for its brand name Temodar, is an alkylating antineoplastic agent that medicates brain tumors or critical brain cancers. A total of two hundred and three all-time trials have utilized the drug in glioblastoma clinical trials. Today, ten glioblastoma clinical trials in session are using temozolomide.
Top Cities for Glioblastoma Clinical Trials
We took a look at the top city where the most glioblastoma clinical trials are conducted. We found that it is the city of Boston, which is based in Massachusetts. Glioblastoma clinical trials are being run at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where eighty-three trials are presently active. Other top cities for glioblastoma clinical trials include the following cities: New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Cleveland.
Which phases are most popular for glioblastoma clinical trials?
We took a look at the phase that is most popular in glioblastoma clinical trials. We found that Phase 1 and Phase 2 are both tied for the top spot. Each type of phase study is being undergone by eighty active glioblastoma clinical trials today. Phase 1 clinical trials are being utilized at one hundred and sixty active locations where sixty-eight unique treatments are used. On the other hand, Phase 2 clinical trials are active at six hundred and ninety-eight locations, of which sixty-two different treatments are being tested.
How many glioblastoma clinical trials are open to youth and/or seniors?
We took a look at the number of glioblastoma clinical trials that are open to young and old participants. We found that a total of two hundred and forty-one active clinical trials are available. Among the total, two hundred and nine glioblastoma clinical trials are eligible for those aged eighteen or over. Some glioblastoma clinical trials only permit participants belonging to a specific age group.
Most Recent Glioblastoma Clinical Trials
We took a look at the most recent of all glioblastoma clinical trials. We found that it is the study entitled “A Surgical ‘Window-of-Opportunity’ and Phase II Trial of Pembrolizumab, Olaparib and Temozolomide in Recurrent Glioblastoma.” It is primarily run and sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC and Dr. Luis Nicolas Gonzalez Castro. The clinical trials will be performed at the following locations: Massachusetts General Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
References:
https://www.withpower.com/trial/phase-3-gliosarcoma-4-2023-735c9
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05095376
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36161947/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34728525/
https://www.dukehealth.org/find-doctors-physicians/john-h-sampson-md-phd-mba-mhsc
https://www.dukehealth.org/find-doctors-physicians/peter-e-fecci-md-phd
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana%E2%80%93Farber_Cancer_Institute
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temozolomide
https://www.withpower.com/trial/phase-2-recurrence-7-2023-d664a
About The Author
Michael Gill - B. Sc.
First Published: October 16th, 2021
Last Reviewed: August 24th, 2023