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Procedure

Photodynamic Therapy for Brain Cancer

Phase 1
Waitlist Available
Research Sponsored by Medical College of Wisconsin
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Diagnosis of supratentorial or infratentorial brain tumor
Localized, non-disseminated primary tumor or solitary metastasis
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up up to 5 years
Awards & highlights

Study Summary

This trial is studying the side effects and best dose of a new cancer treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT uses light and photosensitizing drugs to kill tumor cells.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for patients aged 3-70 with recurrent or progressive brain tumors that are not treatable by surgery and haven't spread widely. They should have tried standard treatments including radiotherapy, have a life expectancy of at least 2 months, and show measurable disease on scans. Patients must not be pregnant, have had chemotherapy within the last 6 weeks, or any prior brachytherapy.Check my eligibility
What is being tested?
The study is testing photodynamic therapy using porfimer sodium to determine its safety and optimal dosage in treating tough-to-treat brain tumors like astrocytoma, ependymoma, and medulloblastoma. It involves using light-sensitive drugs activated by light to kill tumor cells.See study design
What are the potential side effects?
While specific side effects for this trial aren't listed here, photodynamic therapy can generally cause sensitivity to light (including sunlight), swelling around the treated area, burns if exposed to too much light after treatment, pain or discomfort during the procedure.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I have been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
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My cancer is in one place or has only spread to one other spot.
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My tumor has come back or is growing and cannot be removed with surgery.
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I am between 3 and 70 years old.
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My condition did not improve after standard treatments, including radiation.
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My liver blood tests (PT and PTT) are normal.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~up to 5 years
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and up to 5 years for reporting.

Treatment Details

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Medical College of WisconsinLead Sponsor
604 Previous Clinical Trials
1,162,232 Total Patients Enrolled
Harry T. Whelan, MDStudy ChairMedical College of Wisconsin
2 Previous Clinical Trials
83 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Photodynamic Therapy (Procedure) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT00002647 — Phase 1
Brain Tumor Clinical Trial 2023: Photodynamic Therapy Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT00002647 — Phase 1
Brain Tumor Research Study Groups:
Photodynamic Therapy (Procedure) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT00002647 — Phase 1

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Does the age requirement for this clinical trial extend past 24 years old?

"According to the inclusion criteria, this clinical trial is open to participants between 3 and 70 years of age."

Answered by AI

What are the potential adverse effects of this treatment?

"Due to the limited safety and efficacy data available, our team at Power rated this treatment with a score of 1 on their scale."

Answered by AI

Could you please tell me if this clinical test is currently taking on participants?

"According to clinicaltrials.gov, this trial is presently closed; the posting was first uploaded on May 1st 1994 and last updated in September of 2013. Nonetheless, there are 657 alternative trials actively recruiting new participants at the moment."

Answered by AI

What characteristics make certain individuals more suitable to participate in this research?

"This medical trial requires 24 participants aged between 3 and 70 who possess a CNS neoplasm. Additionally, those looking to take part must have recurrent or progressive cancer that cannot be surgically removed with negative CSF results, failed standard therapies such as radiotherapy and feature either primary tumors or solitary metastases."

Answered by AI

Who else is applying?

What site did they apply to?
Midwest Children's Cancer Center at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
What portion of applicants met pre-screening criteria?
Met criteria
How many prior treatments have patients received?
3+

Why did patients apply to this trial?

My son has been NED for 3.5 years after a GTR and proton therapy. He recently was diagnosed with a recurrent anaplastic ependymoma and the care team is not recommending surgery. We are exploring all other options.
PatientReceived 1 prior treatment
~1 spots leftby Mar 2025