Study Comparing Two Types of Whole Brain Radiotherapy for Cancer Spread to the Brain (Athena 2 Trial)

Sponsor: Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Sponsor score: 0
Inactive

ClinicalTrials ID:NCT07248228

Provider View

This clinical trial is exploring two different methods of whole brain radiotherapy for patients whose cancer has spread to the brain. The study aims to find out which method better preserves cognitive function by avoiding certain brain areas.

Patient Parameters

Program Overview

This study is for patients with cancer that has spread to the brain, known as brain metastases. It compares two types of whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) treatments. One method avoids a part of the brain called the hippocampus, which is important for memory, and is combined with a medication called memantine to help protect brain function. The other method avoids additional brain areas involved in memory and thinking, such as the amygdala and corpus callosum. Researchers want to see which method better preserves cognitive function.

Description

When cancer spreads to the brain, it is called brain metastases. Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is a common treatment to help control symptoms and manage the cancer. Adding a medication called memantine to WBRT can help reduce the risk of memory and thinking problems. Avoiding the hippocampus during WBRT (HA-WBRT) with memantine is a standard treatment that helps protect brain function. However, some patients still experience cognitive decline, so new approaches are needed.

This study looks at a new method called memory avoidance whole brain radiotherapy (MA-WBRT), which avoids more brain areas involved in memory and thinking, like the amygdala and corpus callosum. The study will compare MA-WBRT with memantine to the standard HA-WBRT with memantine to see which is better at preserving cognitive function in patients with extensive brain metastases.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Must have a confirmed diagnosis of a solid tumor that has spread to the brain
  • Must be over 18 years old
  • Must have a good overall health status (Karnofsky Performance Status of 70 or higher)
  • Must have an estimated life expectancy of at least 3 months
  • Must be considered suitable for whole brain radiotherapy by the doctor
  • Must be a primary English speaker and able to understand and sign a consent form
  • Must have at least 10 brain metastases or be otherwise suitable for WBRT

Exclusion Criteria

  • Cannot have had prior whole brain radiation
  • Cannot have conditions like Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's, dementia, or mental disability
  • Cannot be pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Cannot be unable to have an MRI
  • Cannot have cancer spread to specific brain areas that need to be avoided (hippocampus, amygdala, fornix, corpus callosum, pituitary)

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