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Radiation Therapy

Proton Beam vs IMRT for Brain Cancer

Phase 2
Waitlist Available
Led By David Grosshans
Research Sponsored by NRG Oncology
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Only English speaking patients are eligible to participate as the cognitive and quality of life assessments are available only in English
Documentation from the enrolling site confirming the presence of IDH mutation and 1p/19q status; the provided information must document assays performed in CLIA-approved laboratories
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up up to 10 years
Awards & highlights

Study Summary

This trial is studying proton beam radiation therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy to see how well they work in preserving brain function in patients with IDH mutant grade II or III glioma.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for English-speaking adults with a specific brain tumor (IDH mutant grade II or III glioma). They must be in good physical condition, have certain blood counts and organ functions within normal ranges, and have had recent MR imaging. Patients who've had prior brain radiation, severe psychiatric diseases affecting cognition, or are severely immunocompromised can't participate.Check my eligibility
What is being tested?
The study compares two types of advanced radiation therapy: Proton Beam Radiation Therapy and Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), along with Temozolomide chemotherapy. It aims to see which method better preserves brain function while treating the tumor effectively.See study design
What are the potential side effects?
Potential side effects include skin reactions at the treatment site, fatigue, headaches, hair loss around the treated area, nausea, hearing changes due to ear inflammation from radiation exposure. Rarely there might be more serious risks like memory problems or other cognitive issues.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I speak English and can complete assessments in it.
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My tests confirm I have an IDH mutation and my 1p/19q status is known.
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I can provide a sample of my tumor for review.
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I can care for myself but may not be able to do active work.
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My brain tumor is IDH-mutant and graded II or III.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~up to 10 years
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and up to 10 years for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary outcome measures
Cognition
Secondary outcome measures
Change in quality of life as measured by the LASA scale
Change in symptoms as measured by MDASI-BT
Cognition as measured by COWA
+6 more
Other outcome measures
Assessment of dose-response relationships
Assessment of tumor molecular status

Side effects data

From 2020 Phase 2 trial • 35 Patients • NCT02073968
71%
Cough
69%
Dysphagia
54%
Dermatitis
40%
Anorexia
23%
Constipation
11%
Dehydration
6%
Fatigue
6%
Pneumonitis
6%
Nausea
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Treatment (PET-adjusted IMRT, Carboplatin, Paclitaxel)

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Arm II (proton beam radiation therapy, temozolomide)Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
Patients undergo proton beam radiation therapy QD, 5 days a week for 6 weeks for a total of 30 fractions. Beginning 4 weeks after completion of radiation therapy, patients receive standard of care temozolomide for 5 days. Treatment repeats every 28 days for up to 12 courses in the absence of disease progression of unacceptable toxicity.
Group II: Arm I (photon-based IMRT, temozolomide)Active Control2 Interventions
Patients undergo photon-based IMRT QD, 5 days a week for 6 weeks for a total of 30 fractions. Beginning 4 weeks after completion of radiation therapy, patients receive standard of care temozolomide for 5 days. Treatment repeats every 28 days for up to 12 courses in the absence of disease progression of unacceptable toxicity.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Proton Beam Radiation Therapy
2013
Completed Phase 2
~110
Temozolomide
2010
Completed Phase 3
~1930

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

NRG OncologyLead Sponsor
232 Previous Clinical Trials
101,041 Total Patients Enrolled
National Cancer Institute (NCI)NIH
13,687 Previous Clinical Trials
40,930,223 Total Patients Enrolled
David GrosshansPrincipal InvestigatorNRG Oncology

Media Library

IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy) (Radiation Therapy) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT03180502 — Phase 2
Brain Tumor Research Study Groups: Arm I (photon-based IMRT, temozolomide), Arm II (proton beam radiation therapy, temozolomide)
Brain Tumor Clinical Trial 2023: IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy) Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT03180502 — Phase 2
IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy) (Radiation Therapy) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT03180502 — Phase 2

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Are numerous hospitals conducting this experiment in North America?

"There are a total of 21 locations where this clinical trial is taking place. Some notable hospitals include University Hospitals Portage Medical Center in Ravenna, Maryland Proton Treatment Center in Baltimore, and Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center in Boston."

Answered by AI

How many does this research project hope to include?

"In order to properly conduct this study, we require 120 patients that meet a set of specific conditions. Those chosen to participate will visit one of the many sites hosting this trial, such as University Hospitals Portage Medical Center in Ravenna, Ohio or Maryland Proton Treatment Center in Baltimore, Massachusetts."

Answered by AI

Is this the first time this research has been conducted?

"Since 2002, Proton Beam Radiation Therapy has been the focus of many academic and medical studies. The first trial was sponsored by Schering-Plough and included 60 patients. Based on the success of that initial study, Proton Beam Radiation Therapy received Phase 2 drug approval. Currently, there are 219 ongoing trials involving this treatment across 947 cities in 38 countries."

Answered by AI

Are individuals who suffer from this condition able to enroll in the program at this time?

"That is correct. The clinical trial, which was originally posted on 8/2/2017 and last updated on 8/10/2022, is recruiting patients at 21 different sites. In total, they are looking for 120 individuals to take part in the study."

Answered by AI

What are some of the most common reasons why patients might seek out Proton Beam Radiation Therapy?

"Proton Beam Radiation Therapy is often used to treat nitrosourea treatment. However, it has also been found effective in treating advance directives, refractory, advanced mycosis fungoides, and refractory neuroblastoma."

Answered by AI

Has Proton Beam Radiation Therapy been cleared by the FDA?

"Proton Beam Radiation Therapy is in Phase 2 of clinical trials, meaning that while there is some evidence supporting its safety, there is currently no data to suggest that the therapy is effective."

Answered by AI

Does Proton Beam Radiation Therapy have a long and successful clinical history?

"Proton Beam Radiation Therapy was first studied in the year 2002 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. To date there have been 299 completed trials. There are presently 219 live clinical trials, with a large number of these trials based in Ravenna, Ohio."

Answered by AI
~34 spots leftby Jun 2026