Clinical Research Directory

UNITy-BasED MR-Linac Adaptive Simultaneous Integrated Hypofractionated Boost Trial for High Grade Glioma in the Elderly

The usual standard of care for patients over 65 diagnosed with glioblastoma ("GBM") or Grade 4 astrocytoma, IDH-mutant is a 3-week course of radiotherapy, with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ). This radiation dose and length of treatment are less than what would be given for younger patients, primarily due to unclear survival benefits from randomized trials. However, survival remains dismal, and may be partially due to the reduced radiation dose. Recent studies investigating this have found that increased radiation dose (to the equivalent of what is normally given over 6 weeks in younger patients) over 3 weeks is well-tolerated and has improved survival rates. Additionally, with the advent of novel technology such as the MR-Linac, adaptive radiotherapy with this regimen using reduced radiation margins is possible. Use of the MR-Linac allows for daily MRI scans to be done prior to treatment, so plans can be adapted to tumour dynamics and anatomical deformations. In this trial, we will examine the outcomes of increased radiation dose, combined with reduced-margin adaptive radiotherapy in this patient population.

The SUPRAMAX Study: Supramaximal Resection Versus Maximal Resection for High-Grade Glioma Patients (ENCRAM 2201)

A greater extent of resection of the contrast-enhancing (CE) tumor part has been associated with improved outcomes in high-grade glioma patients. Recent results suggest that resection of the non-contrast-enhancing (NCE) part might yield even better survival outcomes (supramaximal resection, SMR). Therefore, this study evaluates the efficacy and safety of SMR with and without mapping techniques in HGG patients in terms of survival, functional, neurological, cognitive, and quality of life outcomes. Furthermore, it evaluates which patients benefit the most from SMR, and how they could be identified preoperatively. This study is an international, multicenter, prospective, 2-arm cohort study of observational nature. Consecutive HGG patients will be operated with supramaximal resection or maximal resection at a 1:3 ratio. Primary endpoints are: 1) overall survival and 2) proportion of patients with NIHSS (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale) deterioration at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Secondary endpoints are 1) residual CE and NCE tumor volume on postoperative T1-contrast and FLAIR MRI scans 2) progression-free survival; 3) onco-functional outcome, and 4) quality of life at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. The study will be carried out by the centers affiliated with the European and North American Consortium and Registry for Intraoperative Mapping (ENCRAM).