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Hippocampal Sparing Whole Brain Radiation Versus Stereotactic Radiation in Patients With 5-20 Brain Metastases: A Phase III, Randomized Trial

Not Applicable
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Brain Metastases
Interventions
Radiation: Stereotactic radiation (SRS)
Radiation: Whole brain radiation
Registration Number
NCT03075072
Lead Sponsor
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Brief Summary

This research study is studying two different types of radiation as treatment for brain metastases (tumors in the brain that spread from a cancer that originated elsewhere in the body)

Detailed Description

This research study is a Phase III clinical trial. Phase III clinical trials examine the safety and effectiveness of a treatment, often comparing it to another known treatment. In this case, the investigators are specifically looking at differences between two forms of radiation treatment in terms of subsequent quality of life.

In this research study, the investigators are comparing stereotactic (focused, pinpoint) radiation (in which each tumor is narrowly targeted) against whole brain radiation (radiation targeting the entire brain) in the treatment of brain metastases. Currently whole brain radiation is the standard option for patients with 5-20 brain metastases. Stereotactic radiation is the standard option for patients with 1-4 brain metastases. Among patients with 1-4 brain metastases, recently published studies suggest that stereotactic radiation results in fewer neurologic side effects than whole brain radiation. It also yields better quality of life in this population. It remains unknown whether stereotactic radiation improves quality of life in patients with 5-20 brain metastases relative to whole brain radiation. In this study, the investigators seek to determine which of the two methods of study treatment results in a better subsequent quality of life for patients with 5-20 brain metastases.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
196
Inclusion Criteria
  • Participants must have a biopsy proven solid malignancy with untreated (by radiation) intracranial lesions radiographically consistent with or pathologically proven to be brain metastases. Patients who have undergone prior systemic therapy are eligible
  • Five-twenty intracranial lesions must be present on MRI of the brain
  • Age 18-80 years at diagnosis of brain metastases
  • Karnofsky performance status of at least 70
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Participants who have undergone prior radiation for brain metastases.
  • Patients who have undergone resection of one or more brain metastases but who have not yet started adjuvant radiotherapy are eligible for the study
  • Participants who cannot undergo a brain MRI
  • Participants who cannot receive gadolinium (MRI contrast)
  • Participants with stage IV-V chronic kidney disease or end stage renal disease
  • Participants with widespread, definitive leptomeningeal disease
  • Participants with small cell lung cancer, lymphoma, or myeloma
  • Participants with a maximum tumor diameter exceeding 5 cm (if not resected)
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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Stereotactic Radiation (SRS)Stereotactic radiation (SRS)* MRI will be performed prior to radiation is administered * Radiation will be given in 1-5 fractions (dose depends on the size of the tumor that will be treated)
Whole Brain RadiationWhole brain radiation* MRI will be performed prior to radiation is administered * A hippocampal sparing approach will be used when possible * Dose will be 30 Gy in 10 fractions
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Quality of Life Survey (symptoms and interference)6 months

Questionnaire - MD Anderson Symptom Inventory - Brain Tumor (MDASI-BT)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Overall survivalThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Clinical Parameter

Neurologic survivalThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Clinical parameter to be assessed via review of study visits and medical records indicating cause of death (neurologic versus systemic)

Incidence and time to development of radiation necrosisThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Radiographic assessment of first appearance of radiation necrosis

Incidence and time to additional radiotherapeutic treatmentsThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Clinical assessment of first use of salvage brain-directed radiation

Incidence and time to the development of seizuresThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Clinical assessment of first post-treatment seizure as assessed during routine study visits and via medical record review

Incidence and time to local recurrence of treated brain tumor(s)Through study completion, an average of 1 year

Radiographic assessment of first local recurrence in the 5-20 brain metastases that were initially treated with radiation

Incidence and time to detection of new brain metastasesThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Radiographic assessment of first appearance of new brain metastases

Incidence and time to development of leptomeningeal diseaseThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Radiographic assessment of first appearance of leptomeningeal disease

Incidence and time to salvage craniotomyThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Clinical assessment of first use of neurosurgical resection as salvage therapy

Incidence and time to neurocognitive decline1 year

Scale

Performance statusThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Questionnaire - Karnofsky performance status

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Brigham and Women's Hospital

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Dana Farber Cancer Institute

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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