Gliomas are brain tumors that arise from glial cells, the support tissue of the brain. They range from slow-growing low-grade tumors to aggressive glioblastomas. Treatment typically involves surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy with temozolomide, but outcomes vary widely depending on tumor grade and molecular features like IDH mutation status.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing immune checkpoint inhibitors, tumor-treating fields that use electric currents, oncolytic viruses engineered to kill cancer cells, and targeted drugs against specific mutations. Researchers are also studying drugs that cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively, combinations with radiation, and CAR-T cell therapies adapted for brain tumors. Molecular profiling now guides many treatment decisions.
Targeted molecular therapies
Drugs targeting IDH mutations, BRAF mutations, and FGFR fusions are showing activity in gliomas with those specific changes. Some have gained FDA approval for subsets of patients, shifting treatment from one-size-fits-all approaches.
Immunotherapy combinations
Researchers are testing checkpoint inhibitors like nivolumab and pembrolizumab alongside vaccines or other drugs to overcome the brain's immune privilege. Results have been mixed, but certain combinations show promise in subgroups.
Oncolytic viruses
Viruses modified to infect and destroy tumor cells are being injected directly into gliomas. Early trials suggest they may trigger immune responses while killing cancer cells directly.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on tumor grade, molecular features like IDH and MGMT status, extent of prior treatment, and whether the tumor can be biopsied or resected.
What types of trials are currently open
- Targeted therapy trials — Testing drugs that attack specific molecular changes in the tumor, identified through genetic testing of the biopsy specimen.
- Immunotherapy trials — Testing checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines, or CAR-T cells designed to help the immune system recognize and attack glioma cells.
- Combination trials — Testing new drugs added to standard radiation and temozolomide, or testing new radiation schedules and drug combinations.
- Device trials — Studies of tumor-treating fields devices, focused ultrasound, or drug delivery methods that bypass the blood-brain barrier.
- Surgical trials — Testing techniques for removing more tumor safely, often using advanced imaging or fluorescent dyes to see tumor margins during surgery.
Recently added Glioma trials
[177Lu]Lu-DOTA-EB-RGD2 Therapy in Patients With Recurrent High-grade Glioma
This is an investigator-initiated, Phase I clinical trial. It aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, dosimetry, and preliminary anti-tumor activity of a novel radiopharmaceutical, \[177Lu\]Lu-DOTA-EB-RGD2, in patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas. Participants will receive the drug either via intravenous infusion or directly into the tumor cavity through a pre-implanted Ommaya reservoir (a subcutaneously placed device that allows direct access to the tumor cavity). The study employs a "3+3" dose-escalation design to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Adverse events, biodistribution, and tumor response (by MRI) will be assessed. Approximately 24 patients will be enrolled across two major Chinese medical centers: Beijing Tiantan Hospital and Peking Union Medical College Hospital.
Dosimetry, Safety, and Efficacy Study of [177Lu]Lu-XT771 in Patients With Recurrent Glioblastoma
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the dosimetry, safety, and tolerability of the investigational radiopharmaceutical \[177Lu\]Lu-XT771 in patients with recurrent glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. \[177Lu\]Lu-XT771 is designed to specifically target and deliver beta radiation directly to tumor cells that overexpress carbonic anhydrase IX and XII (CA IX and CA XII). This early-phase, investigator-initiated trial will enroll a small group of approximately 3-5 patients, each receiving a single dose of \[177Lu\]Lu-XT771. The drug will be administered locoregionally via an implanted Ommaya reservoir, directly into the tumor cavity. Following administration, patients will be closely monitored using single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) to assess the biodistribution of the drug and to quantify the absorbed radiation dose to both the tumor and normal organs. The study will also document all adverse events to characterize the safety profile of the treatment and will provide a preliminary assessment of its anti-tumor activity, as measured by progression-free survival. The information gathered from this exploratory study will be used to determine the recommended safe starting dose for future Phase I clinical trials.
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