NCT07452458 · NRG Oncology
Temporally-Modulated Pulsed Radiation Therapy Versus Standard Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed, IDH Wildtype, MGMT-Unmethylated Glioblastoma
What this study is about
This phase III trial compares temporally-modulated pulsed radiation therapy versus standard radiation therapy in treating patients with newly diagnosed, IDH wildtype, MGMT-unmethylated glioblastoma. After completion of surgery, the the usual treatment for glioblastoma is radiation therapy.
View original scientific description
This phase III trial compares temporally-modulated pulsed radiation therapy versus standard radiation therapy in treating patients with newly diagnosed, IDH wildtype, MGMT-unmethylated glioblastoma. After completion of surgery, the standard of care for glioblastoma is radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. For older and frail patients, standard treatment also includes the chemotherapy drug temozolomide. Temozolomide is in a class of medications called alkylating agents. It works by damaging the cell's DNA and may kill tumor cells and slow down or stop tumor growth. Approximately 70% of glioblastoma patients have MGMT-unmethylated status. MGMT unmethylated tumors are less likely to respond to temozolomide chemotherapy, so there is more reliance on radiation therapy to kill the tumor cells. Recent clinical trials studying new therapies for MGMT-unmethylated glioblastoma have failed to improve outcomes over temozolomide. These recent studies also indicate that 80% of patients experience a decline in memory and thinking function after treatment. TMPRT differs from standard radiation therapy by delivering the same amount of radiation dose in 10-13 "pulses" with 3-minute breaks between pulses. TMPRT with temozolomide may work better than standard radiation therapy with temozolomide in increasing survival, as well as improving memory and thinking function in patients with newly diagnosed, IDH wildtype, MGMT-unmethylated glioblastoma.
Interventions
PROCEDURE
Biospecimen Collection
Undergo collection of blood
PROCEDURE
Computed Tomography
Undergo CT
PROCEDURE
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Undergo MRI
OTHER
Questionnaire Administration
Ancillary studies
RADIATION
Radiation Therapy
Undergo standard RT
DRUG
Temozolomide
Given PO
RADIATION
Temporally-modulated Pulsed Radiation Therapy
Undergo TMPRT
Primary outcome measures
Neurocognitive function (NCF)
Time frame: Up to 9 months after completion of radiation therapy (RT)
This endpoint will be evaluated using each NCF testing interval. NCF failure is defined as a decline in NCF using the reliable change index (RCI) on at least one of the following tests: Hopkins Verbal Learning Test - Revised (HVLT-R) Total Recall, HVLT-R Delayed Recall, HVLT-R Delayed Recognition, Trail Making Test (TMT) Part A, TMT Part B, or Controlled Oral Word Association (COWA). The cumulative incidence approach will be used to estimate the time to neurocognitive failure to account for the competing risk of death. Gray's test will assess statistically significant differences in the distribution of NCF failure times (Gray 1988).
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- PRIOR TO STEP 1 REGISTRATION:
- No known IDH mutation. (If tested before step 1 registration, patients known to have IDH mutation in the tumor on local or other testing are ineligible and should not be registered).
- Availability of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue block and hematoxylin and eosin (H\&E) stained slide to be sent for central pathology review for confirmation of histology and MGMT promoter methylation status. Surgical resection is required; stereotactic biopsy alone is not allowed because it will not provide sufficient tissue for MGMT analysis. Note that tissue for central pathology review and central MGMT assessment must be shipped to the New York University (NYU) Center for Biospecimen Research and Development (CBRD) on or before postoperative calendar day 30. If tissue cannot be shipped by postoperative calendar day 30, then patients may NOT enroll on this trial as central pathology review will not be complete in time for the patient to start treatment no later than 8 weeks following surgery. Results of central pathology review and central MGMT analysis will generally be completed within 10 business days of receipt of tissue. Results will be entered by the central lab directly into Rave. Note: In the event of an additional tumor resection(s), tissue must be shipped within 30 days of the most recent resection and the latest resection must have been performed within 30 days after the initial resection.
- Negative urine or serum pregnancy test (in persons of childbearing potential) within 14 days prior to Step 1 registration. Childbearing potential is defined as any person who has experienced menarche and who has not undergone surgical sterilization (hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy) or who is not postmenopausal.
- No known leptomeningeal disease or metastatic disease outside the brain.
- Because neurocognitive testing is the primary goal of this study, patients must be proficient in English or French Canadian.
- Karnofsky Performance Status ≥ 70
- Hemoglobin ≥ 10 g/dl (Note: the use of transfusion or other intervention to achieve hemoglobin (Hgb) ≥ 10.0 g/dl is acceptable)
- Leukocytes ≥ 2,000/mm\^3 OR absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3
- Platelets ≥ 100,000/mm\^3
- Creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≥ 50 mL/min
- Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN)
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)(serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase \[SGOT\]) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)(serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase \[SGPT\]) ≤ 3 x ULN
- No prior cranial radiation therapy that would result in overlap of radiation therapy fields.
- No previous therapy for GBM except surgery, laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) or Gliadel wafer.
- Note: 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-mediated fluorescence-guided resection (FGR) photodynamic therapy (PDT) or fluorescein administered prior to/during surgery to aid resection is not
Exclusion criteria
- ary and is not considered a chemotherapy or intracerebral agent.
- No history of unstable angina requiring hospitalization in the last 3 months
- No history of myocardial infarction within the last 3 months
- New York Heart Association Functional Classification II or better (NYHA Functional Classification III/IV are not eligible) (Note: Patients with known history or current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history of treatment with cardiotoxic agents, should have a clinical risk assessment of cardiac function using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification)
- No active infection currently requiring IV antibiotic management
- No chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation or other acute respiratory illness precluding study therapy
- No movement disorder that could impede ability to lie still with an immobilization mask for approximately 40 minutes
- No significant sensory deficits (i.e., blindness, mutism) that would prohibit participation of NCF testing
- No history of allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to temozolomide
- PRIOR TO STEP 2 REGISTRATION:
- The following baseline neurocognitive tests must be completed within 28 days prior to Step 2 registration: (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test - Revised \[HVLT-R\], Trail Making Test \[TMT\], Controlled Oral Word Association \[COWA\]). The neurocognitive tests will be uploaded into RAVE for evaluation by Dr. Wefel. The following scores must be obtained for patient eligibility: HVLT-R Total Recall \> 5, HVLT-R Delayed Recall \> 3, HVLT-R Delayed Recognition \> -10, TMT Part A . 2738, TMT Part B . 3724, COWA . 12. Central review of the Neurocognitive tests will be completed in Rave within 3 business days after the upload is completed. Users with the Rave clinical research associate (CRA) role will be able to view the results in Rave. The CRA must confirm that the results are available and meet eligibility requirements prior to proceeding with Step 2 Registration.
- NOTE: Completed baseline neurocognitive tests can be uploaded at the time of Step 1 registration.
- Note: Patients whose neurocognitive test scores do not meet the criteria above will not be eligible for the study and will be reported as ineligible due to "Failure to meet Neurocognitive testing criteria" on Step 2 registration.
- Pathology proven diagnosis of IDH-wildtype glioblastoma with unmethylated MGMT promoter confirmed by central pathology review. IDH mutation testing by at least one method (such as immunohistochemistry for IDH1 R132H) must be performed as part of standard of care and no mutation must be found (i.e. IDH-wildtype). (If a mutation is identified then the patient will be ineligible and must be registered as ineligible at Step 2.)
- Central pathology review will generally be completed within 10 business days of receipt of the tissue. Users with the Rave CRA role will be able to view the results in Rave. It must be confirmed that the results are available and meet eligibility requirements prior to proceeding with Step 2 Registration.
- Note: Patients with tissue that is insufficient or inadequate for analysis, has failed MGMT testing, or has indeterminate or methylated MGMT promoter are excluded and will be reported as a "central pathology review failure" on step 2 registration.
Where
- Irvine, California
- Los Angeles, California
- Orange, California
- Sacramento, California
- Grand Junction, Colorado
- Alton, Illinois
- Decatur, Illinois
- DeKalb, Illinois
- Geneva, Illinois
- O'Fallon, Illinois
- Shiloh, Illinois
- Warrenville, Illinois
And 31 more locations — see the full list below.
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Sep 9, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations