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
Complete a blood clotting test before and after brain tumor surgery
The objective of our study is to investigate the clinical significance of thromboelastometric values in the development of thrombotic events and survival in patients with glial tumors, to reduce thromboembolic complications and optimize oncological treatment.
Take an experimental oral drug being tested for advanced cancers
This is a phase 1, multicentre, first-in-human, open-label, dose-escalation/consolidation study to investigate the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and clinical activity of orally administered JBI-778 in EGFR mutated lung cancer patients with or without brain metastasis, IDH mutated WHO grade 3 /4 recurrent glioma and ACC with evidence of recurrent, metastatic or advanced, incurable disease arising from any primary site. A total of 42 patients will be recruited in the study. The initial dose escalation up to cohort 3 (estimate to be 160mg) or until the pharmacologically active dose is reached, whichever comes first as determined by the safety committee will be performed only in EGFR mutant NSCLC patients with or without stable cerebral metastases and ACC patients. Once this dose level is reached IDH mutant WHO grade 3 /4 glioma patients will be added. Once the RP2D is determined following dose escalation, additional patients, up to 12, will be treated at that dose to obtain further safety data and preliminary efficacy. Approximately 4 to 6 sites are anticipated for the dose-escalation/consolidation, additional sites will be evaluated as needed. Study will be initiated only after receipt of regulatory and ethics committee (EC) approval. After signing the informed consent form, the patients will undergo screening assessments to confirm eligibility. Eligible patients will be considered first for initial dose escalation and once the RP2D is determined following dose escalation, additional patients, up to 12, will be treated at that dose to obtain further safety data and preliminary efficacy. The RP2D will be establish after a detailed analysis of the totality of dose escalation data, including PK, safety, efficacy, CNS penetration based on CSF sample for study drug presence, analysis of PD markers in peripheral blood and both pre-treatment and on treatment tumor biopsies. The duration of participation for each patient will be as follows: Screening: - Up to 21 days (-21 to 1 days); Treatment period: Treatment cycle of 21-day each. Treatment may continue for up to 2 years from the start of treatment, provided that the patient experiences clinical benefit in the opinion of the Investigator and shows no signs or symptoms of unequivocal progression of the disease, unacceptable toxicity, or other reasons for study discontinuation. End of treatment (EOT)/ Early termination (ET) visit Safety Follow-up: 30 days after last dose Survival: Every 3 months
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