Actively Recruiting
Pilot Trial of Short Course Radiotherapy for Primary or Secondary CNS Malignancies
Led by Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine · Updated on 2026-05-05
15
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to evaluate the safety of a shorter course of radiation therapy in children and young adults with incurable central nervous system cancers. The trial focuses on patients with tumors either originating in the brain or metastatic to the brain, where current treatments are palliative and lengthy. This pilot study seeks to determine if a condensed radiation schedule can be delivered safely and improve quality of life compared to the standard longer treatment. Participants will receive short-course radiation therapy delivered over 5 days, with a total dose of 20 Gray divided into 5 fractions. This is different from the standard approach of daily treatments for two weeks or more at doses up to 3 Gray per day. The study involves just this single treatment arm with no placebo or comparison group. During the study, participants will be closely monitored for safety outcomes over one year following treatment. Researchers will assess quality of life using pediatric and adolescent measures, track steroid use, and record overall survival during this period. Participants and their caregivers will be asked to consent and comply with study procedures, which include imaging to confirm tumor characteristics and follow-up visits to evaluate health status and treatment effects.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Short Course Radiotherapy
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Male or female, aged 21 years or below
- Lansky performance status of 40 or higher
- Diagnosis of an incurable malignancy either originating outside the brain but metastatic to the brain or originating and recurring within the brain
- Multidisciplinary tumor board consensus confirming intracranial relapse or metastasis
- At least one targetable intracranial lesion as seen on imaging
- Multidisciplinary consensus recommending palliative intent radiation
- Consent provided by participant or caregiver; assent for those under 18 when able
- Prior radiation in the planned treatment area is allowed
- Willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the study duration
You will not qualify if you...
- Radiotherapy planned for curative intent
- Serious uncontrolled systemic or psychiatric disorders interfering with participation
- Planned for proton radiation
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 5 days
Participants receive a shorter course of radiation therapy across 5 days (20 Gray in 5 fractions).
Daily visits for 5 consecutive days
Duration - 1 year
Participants are monitored for safety, quality of life, survival, and steroid usage for up to 1 year after treatment.
Regular follow-up visits during the year
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
K
Kelly Clark
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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