Recruiting

Testing a new radioactive treatment for hard-to-treat brain tumors in young people

Plain-English translation of NCT05278208 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated April 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 1/2 — A combined trial that checks safety and dosing while also starting to look at whether the treatment works.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether Lutathera, a radioactive medication, can safely treat brain tumors and meningiomas that have returned or are still growing after standard treatment. The medication works by targeting specific receptors on tumor cells that help them grow. Researchers want to find the right dose and see if this treatment can stop or slow the cancer.

Many brain tumors in children and young adults come back or keep growing despite standard chemotherapy and radiation. This medication has shown early promise in other types of cancer, and doctors believe it might help patients whose tumors have specific markers that show up on special imaging tests.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 4 and 39 years old (depending on which part of the trial you join)
you have been diagnosed with a high-grade brain tumor, meningioma, or embryonal tumor that has come back, is growing, or has not responded to previous treatment
your tumor shows uptake on a special PET scan called DOTATATE PET, which confirms your tumor has the right type of receptors for this medication to target
you have recovered from side effects of previous cancer treatments (at least 3 weeks for chemotherapy, 6 weeks for certain types)
you are willing to have a screening PET scan and give informed consent

You likely don't qualify if…

you have active infections or severe organ problems that would make treatment unsafe
you have received certain chemotherapy drugs within the required waiting period before enrollment
you are pregnant or nursing
you are unable or unwilling to complete the required imaging and follow-up visits

What participation looks like

You will receive the medication as an infusion (through an IV) once every 8 weeks for a total of 4 doses over about 8 months. Between doses, you will have regular clinic visits, blood tests, and imaging scans (MRI and PET scans) to monitor how your tumor is responding and check for any side effects. The trial is studying both the safety of the treatment and whether it helps slow or stop tumor growth.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 13, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(4 sites)

United States

Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio

Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania