Gliomas are brain tumors that arise from glial cells, the support cells surrounding neurons. They range from slow-growing low-grade tumors to aggressive glioblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in adults. Treatment typically combines surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, but outcomes remain poor for high-grade gliomas, with median survival around 15 months for glioblastoma despite treatment.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing tumor-treating fields (already FDA-approved), immunotherapies including CAR-T cells and checkpoint inhibitors, targeted drugs against specific mutations like IDH1 and BRAF, and new approaches to cross the blood-brain barrier. Researchers are also studying combinations that might overcome glioma's resistance to immune attack and ways to target tumor metabolism.
Targeted mutation therapies
Drugs targeting IDH mutations show promise in low-grade gliomas, with vorasidenib recently approved for IDH-mutant gliomas. BRAF inhibitors are being tested in gliomas with BRAF mutations, which occur in some pediatric and adult cases.
Immunotherapy combinations
Glioblastoma has largely resisted single-agent immunotherapy, but trials are testing combinations that might break through the tumor's immune-suppressing environment. Approaches include pairing checkpoint inhibitors with vaccines, radiation, or drugs that recruit immune cells into the brain.
CAR-T cell therapy
Engineered immune cells are being tested against glioblastoma targets like EGFR variants and IL13RA2. Early trials deliver CAR-T cells directly into the brain or tumor cavity to bypass the blood-brain barrier.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on glioma grade and type, tumor mutations (IDH, MGMT, EGFR), prior treatments, extent of surgical resection, and performance status.
What types of trials are currently open
- Surgery trials — Testing new surgical techniques, intraoperative imaging to improve tumor removal, and implants that deliver chemotherapy directly into the tumor cavity after surgery.
- Immunotherapy trials — Testing vaccines, checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cells, and other approaches to harness the immune system against gliomas, often in combination with standard treatment.
- Targeted therapy trials — Testing drugs that attack specific mutations in glioma cells, such as IDH, BRAF, or EGFR alterations found through tumor testing.
- Radiation trials — Testing new radiation techniques, different dosing schedules, and combinations with drugs that make tumors more sensitive to radiation.
- Recurrence trials — Testing treatments specifically for gliomas that have returned after initial treatment, when standard options are limited.
Recently added Glioma trials
Observational Connectomics in Adults Undergoing Resection of WHO II-IV Glioma
This observational study will create a large scale database (registry) of glioma patients' data across multiple participating institutions (hospitals) to study a range of clinical research questions.
A Phase I Clinical Study of YN003 in the Treatment of Glioma
This is a Phase 1, open-label, single-arm, dose-escalation and dose-expansion study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary efficacy of YN003 Injection in patients with recurrent or progressive glioma. The study consists of Part A (dose escalation using a Bayesian Optimal Interval design) and Part B (dose expansion at the recommended Phase 2 dose).
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