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Memory Avoidance Whole Brain Radiotherapy vs Hippocampal Avoidance Whole Brain Radiotherapy (Athena 2 Trial)
Sponsor: Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Summary
Participants in this research study have cancer that has spread to their brain, called brain metastases. One treatment for this type of cancer is called whole brain radiotherapy that stays away from a specific neurocognitive substructure, called the hippocampus, combined with medication to preserve cognitive function. This study compares that approach to another approach of whole brain radiotherapy that stays away from additional structures that are thought to have a role in cognitive function. Researchers want to see if there is a difference in the preservation of cognitive function between these two approaches.
Official title: A Randomized Phase 2 Trial of Memory Avoidance Whole Brain Radiotherapy Versus Hippocampal Avoidance Whole Brain Radiotherapy (Athena 2 Trial)
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
90
Start Date
2026-05
Completion Date
2028-11
Last Updated
2026-04-08
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
MA-WBRT (Memory Avoidance Whole Brain Radiation Therapy (MA-WBRT))
Participants will receive 10 daily fractions of WBRT per standard of care. Participants receiving MA-WBRT will receive WBRT that avoids the hippocampus, the amygdala, corpus callosum, fornix, hypothalamus, and pituitary.
HA-WBRT (Hippocampal Avoidance Whole Brain Radiation Therapy (HA-WBRT))
Participants will receive 10 daily fractions of WBRT per standard of care. Participants receiving HA-WBRT will receive WBRT that avoids the hippocampus.
Memantine
Memantine is prescribed per standard of care. Participants will continue on memantine for 24 weeks. The target dose for memantine is 20 mg (10 mg divided twice daily). Dose is escalated by 5 mg per week to target of 10 mg twice daily (i.e., 5 mg a day for week 1, then 5 mg twice daily for week 2, then 10 mg in the morning and 5 mg in the evening for week 3, then 10 mg in the morning and 10 mg in the evening by week 4). Participants will also be prescribed extended release memantine. The target dose for extended release memantine is 28 mg. Dose is escalated by 7 mg per week to target of 28 mg daily (i.e., 7 mg a day for week 1, then 14 mg a day for week 2, then 21 mg a day for week 3, then 28 mg a day for by week 4).
Locations (1)
University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Cleveland, Ohio, United States