Neuro-Oncology Clinical Trials Bring Hope to Patients
By Ricky Chen, M.D. & Kyla Lindberg, R.N.
I was still in fellowship in California when I saw a couple from Oregon for consultation. The husband had glioblastoma, and their family was looking for treatment options. The tumor had come back earlier than expected and standard treatment options were exhausted. They had journeyed a long way to San Francisco, and had been to Seattle. I learned that sadly this was often the case for patients in Oregon. As my path led me back to Providence, I remained motivated to provide more options for patients locally in the form of clinical trials. Our neuro-oncology program is a clinical and research collaboration between Providence Brain & Spine and Providence Cancer Institutes and encompasses multiple experts with subspecialty training who are dedicated to the management of these complex malignancies.
We are moving forward with translational efforts to test novel approaches in treating brain malignancies. Some of these approaches include tumor treating field therapy combined with chemoradiation, peptide vaccines against antigens specific to Glioblastoma along with antiangiogenic therapy, personalized medicine approach with therapies against patient derived glioma “stem cells,” eflornithine in anaplastic astrocytomas, and also tumor treating field therapy in newly diagnosed brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer. With this growing portfolio of trial options, I am happy that many patients in our community will be able to find needed treatment close to home which I believe will also improve their quality of life.
METIS/EF-25
What is the study?
Pivotal, open-label, randomized study of radiosurgery with or without Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) for 1-10 new brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Who is eligible?
Patients with NEW diagnosis of Brain Metastases secondary to NSCLC.
Why study this? How does it advance the science or expand patient treatment options?
Prognosis for brain metastases is poor and treatment options are limited. We want to see if this trial will improve survival.
STELLAR
What is the study?
Phase 3, Randomized, Open-Label Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Eflornithine with Lomustine Compared to Lomustine Alone in Patients with Anaplastic Astrocytoma That Progress/Recur After Irradiation and Adjuvant Temozolomide Chemotherapy. Eflornithine is an oral liquid medication.
Who is eligible?
Patients with grade 3 AA, tumor progression or recurrence. Dietary considerations apply.
Why study this? How does it advance the science or expand patient treatment options?
At recurrence, standard treatments are not optimally effective and most studies are geared towards patients with grade 4 AA. This allows more treatment options for grade 3 AA.
CG01GBM (ChemoID)
What is the study?
Standard Chemotherapy Versus Chemotherapy Chosen by Cancer Stem Cell Chemosensitivity Testing in the Management of Patients With Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM).
Who is eligible?
Patients with any recurrence of Glioblastoma who are amenable to either surgery or biopsy.
Why study this? How does it advance the science or expand patient treatment options?
The seed of recurrence could be a specific population of cells that are resistant “stem cells”. This new test allows us to tailor therapy by growing and testing sensitivity to a panel of agents.
Wizard
What is the study?
A Randomized, Multicenter, Phase 2 Study of DSP-7888 Dosing Emulsion in Combination with Bevacizumab versus Bevacizumab Alone in Patients with Recurrent or Progressive Glioblastoma following Initial Therapy
Who is eligible?
Patients with GBM whose tumors have recurred or progressed following initial treatment with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy.
Why study this? How does it advance the science or expand patient treatment options?Immunotherapy presents a promising new approach in the treatment of brain tumors. This study utilizes a peptide vaccine against a known GBM antigen.
