Plain-English translation of NCT05553041 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Phase 1 — Testing in a small group (usually 20–80 people) to find a safe dose and watch for side effects.
After children and teens receive radiation and immunotherapy for high-grade brain tumors, doctors sometimes see changes on regular MRI scans that could mean either the tumor is growing back or the brain is simply healing from treatment. This trial tests whether a new imaging technique called can help doctors figure out which one is actually happening. This medication helps the scanner see which areas of the brain contain active tumor cells versus normal healing tissue.
Right now, regular MRI scans cannot reliably tell the difference between real tumor growth and the normal inflammation and changes that happen as the brain heals. Getting this answer right is crucial because if the tumor is truly growing back, doctors may need to change treatment — but if it's just healing, changing treatment could do more harm than good.
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You would receive an injection of the imaging medication (18F-fluciclovine) through an IV, then lie still in a specialized scanner that combines two types of imaging — PET and MRI — to take detailed pictures of your brain. The scan typically takes about an hour. Afterward, you'll go home and can resume normal activities. The research team will use these images to see if they can spot the difference between real tumor growth and post-treatment healing, which will help doctors make better treatment decisions for future patients.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Sep 5, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States
Phase
Safety & dosing
Sponsor
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Collaborators
Blue Earth Diagnostics, Dragon Master Foundation
Enrollment target
~30 participants
Started
August 2024
Primary completion
December 2026
Age range
1 Year – 21 Years
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in December 2025.
Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.
Central contact
Mariam Aboian, MD, PhD
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.